Several students have gotten important contacts for graduate study or job-searches from these interactions. The most important part of the senior seminar remains the senior paper and the senior talks . We have a preliminary session early in the year in which we instruct students on how to give a scientific talk, then each student works with an on-campus advisor on refining his or her presentation. Most students practice their presentations once or more in front of their advisors, and the majority take the planning and delivery of the talk quite seriously. The format resembles a standard research seminar, but students are requested to pitch the level so that their fellow majors can understand the entire talk.
Students use transparencies or other visual aids as is appropriate.
At the end of each presentation, a lively discussion often ensues, with both faculty and students asking many questions, and the student speaker making a valiant attempt to answer them. The paper conforms to the usual format for a short scientific paper, and we explicity instruct students in suggested writing styles, appropriate bibliographys and citation formats, the use of equations, and the proper inclusion of figures. The assembled final version is very similar to a manuscript properly prepared for journal submission. We both encourge and offer the opportunity to all physics and astronomy majors to get involved with meaningful and potentially publishable research. Students interested in a research career can explore the depth of their interest, and try out a particular subfield.