Physics is a dynamic discipline, with constantly changing frontiers. Often developments in one area affect other related areas in significant ways. Thus, reading professional news journals such as Physics Today, Scientific American, Science, Nature, etc., as well as other physics journals is an important part of a physicist's on-going education. The frequent seminars and colloquia held in various sectors of the University provide an additional forum for the exchange of information. The Department of Physics and Astronomy has a very active seminar and colloquium schedule throughout the academic year.
Professor Bing-An Li
The weekly colloquium draws speakers from all over the world, and covers topics of current interest in the physics and astronomy community. There is a coffee hour prior to the colloquium when graduate students have an opportunity to converse informally with the speaker. All graduate students are required to attend the colloquia. In addition, there are regular, weekly seminars in each of the specialty areas in the Department. Many of the speakers are from other institutions, but faculty and graduate students from within the Department also contribute to these series. Graduate students specializing in any particular area are required to attend seminars in that area. Students trying to identify an area of specialization are encouraged to attend these seminars in order to become better acquainted with the subfields of physics and astronomy.
In addition, there are many other seminar series that are of interest to physicists: the Chemistry colloquia and seminars, the Center for Computational Sciences seminars, the Fuel Science seminars, the Materials Research seminars, and seminars in the Mathematics and other departments. Students are encouraged to attend as many relevant talks as their schedules permit. This is an important supplement to the education received in the classroom and laboratory.
Oral communication of research results is also an important aspect of a physicist's professional life. Hence, graduate students are strongly encouraged to give journal reports or seminars on their work on a regular basis.