GRAPPA Student Seminar

6 EC

Semester 2, period 6

5354GRSS6Y

Owner Master Physics and Astronomy (joint degree)
Coordinator prof. dr. G. Bertone
Part of Master Physics and Astronomy, track Astronomy and Astrophysics, Master Physics and Astronomy, track GRAPPA,

Course manual 2019/2020

Course content

Structure

  • The course will be given via Zoom.
  • In the first few weeks, Gianfranco Bertone will introduce the dark matter problem (Wednesday sessions, 9-11am) and Adam Coogan will introduce a selection of scientific papers.
  • You will work in groups of four. Four of the groups (A1-A4) will explore dark matter candidates while the other four (B1-B4) will explore dark matter searches.
  • Each group will choose a different class of candidates, or a class of searches, from a list that will be prepared by us and presented in the first session on 3 June.

Final reports and presentations

  • On Wed 23 June, the four groups working on candidates will present their findings in the form of a written report and an oral presentation. They will try to convince us that "their" candidate is the most promising. Students in groups B1-B4 will vote for the most compelling candidate.
  • On Fri 25 June, the four groups working on searches will present their findings in the form of a written report and an oral presentation. They will try to convince us that "their" class of searches is the most promising. Students in groups A1-A4 will vote for the most compelling candidate.
  • The final reports will be then merged into a joint review document.

Time commitment and evaluation

  • As this is a 4-week 6EC course, you are expected to devote to it most of your time in June.
  • As this is a student seminar, the focus is on self-study of scientific literature. We will provide a detailed introduction to the subject, and guide you through the study of the scientific literature.
  • The final evaluation is based on the final presentations (50%) and written report (50%).

Study materials

Literature

  • Lecture slides

  • Scientific literature

Objectives

    Teaching methods

    • Seminar

    Will be announced.

    Learning activities

    Activity

    Number of hours

    Zelfstudie

    168

    Attendance

    Requirements concerning attendance (OER-B).

  • In addition to, or instead of, classes in the form of lectures, the elements of the master’s examination programme often include a practical component as defined in article A-1.2 of part A. The course catalogue contains information on the types of classes in each part of the programme. Attendance during practical components is mandatory.

    • Assessment

    Item and weight Details

    Final grade

    Final grade

    The evaluation is based on presentations and reports.

     

    Presentations are graded individually (not by group), based on:

    - organization of the material (20%),

    - subject knowledge (40%),

    - slides effectiveness (20%),

    - ability to answer questions (20%).

    Reports are evaluated based on:

    - organization of the material (40%),

    - subject knowledge (40%),

    - effective bibliography (20%)

    Fraud and plagiarism

    The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

    Course structure

    Weeknummer Onderwerpen Studiestof
    1 Introduction to dark matter Lecture slides and scientific literature (on Canvas)
    2 Dark matter candidates Lecture slides and scientific literature (on Canvas)
    3 Dark matter searches Lecture slides and scientific literature (on Canvas)
    4 Students' presentations Lecture slides and scientific literature (on Canvas)

    Timetable

    The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.

    Additional information

    The feedback received from students was excellent. We plan to teach the course again as we did last year. 

    Contact information

    Coordinator

    • prof. dr. G. Bertone