Phys 595 "Communicating Science Research" Offered Again in Spring 2026

Are you working on a prelim paper, thesis, or journal paper and could use some writing assistance?  Do you want to improve your scientific presentation and writing skills?

In Spring 2026, a course on scientific writing and presentation, Phys 595 "Communicating Scientific Research", will again be offered. This course will offer physics grad students an opportunity to practice different forms of scientific writing and receive detailed feedback on their writing.  Additionally, there will be instruction on how to give effective scientific presentations and opportunities for students to practice giving presentations in front of an audience. Even if you have significant experience with writing and presenting your research, the emphasis in this course will be on writing and presenting to a non-expert audience, which is essential when writing proposals, publishing papers in high profile journals such as Science, Nature, and Phys. Rev. Letters, and giving colloquia and outreach presentations.  The course is open to all physics grad students, but the course is particularly suited to those students who are preparing a writing and/or presentation project, such as a journal publication, a prelim/final exam, or a thesis.  We will help you polish these writing projects as the main course assignment.

I expect to limit the class size to about 15 students so I can provide useful feedback on all the writing and presentation assignments, so please let me know (slcooper@illinois.edu) if you're interested in taking the course and register for the course as soon as possible while there are openings.

Course Details:

What: Communicating Scientific Research (Phys 595)
When: Fridays, 10 a.m. - noon, Spring 2026
Location: Rm. 158 Loomis
Credits: 4 credit hours
Instructors: Lance Cooper