B8336 - COMPETENZE TRASVERSALI AVANZATE PER L'ASTROFISICA

Learning outcomes

At the end of the activity, the student acquires familiarity with the professional techniques of presentation and critical discussion of scientific problems. The student understands how to organize a multi-media presentation of a research topic in Astrophysics and Cosmology, how to present and discuss the physical basis of a problem, the state-of-the-art of the research in that sector, the novelty of the results, their impact on that specific problem and the possible weaknesses.

Course contents

“Competenze trasversali per l’Astrofisica” are meant to provide a solid basis for presentation of scientific results. To this goal, the student will decide a subject of interest in Astrophysics and Cosmology (unrelated to the main topic of their master thesis), and the professor will provide a list of three papers/review articles on that topic, besides the scientific support for a better understanding of the articles. The student will then choose one of the proposed articles and present (a) the scientific rationale/background (i.e., open questions in that field), (b) the main outcomes and how they were obtained, and (c) the impact of the results reported in the paper (strengths and weaknesses). All will be done in a 20-min PowerPoint presentation plus 5-min for questions. During the presentation, the knowledge of the Italian language will be tested.

It is suggested to contact the professor well in advance compared to the possible dates for the exam and to the thesis defense.

Alternatively to the PowerPoint presentation, students can attend physics and astrophysics schools, workshops, and meetings; these activities, if proven by a certificate of attendance, will be registered as “Competenze trasversali per l’Astrofisica” without the need of an additional interview if such activities have been conducted in person.

Readings/Bibliography

Bibliography will be indicated by the professor once the main topic for “Competenze trasversali per l’Astrofisica” is chosen by the student.

Teaching methods

Teaching and feedback by the professor will be focused on specific topics (related to the subject chosen by the student) which are either not sufficiently clear to the student or appear too challenging. Methods consist in careful reading and discussion of the article under consideration.

Assessment methods

Students' knowledge in the chosen research topic will be evaluated through a PowerPoint presentation (20 min). Relevance in the final evaluation - no mark is associated with this exam - will be given to the capability of presenting, in a professional and exhaustive way, the scientific rationale of the project (i.e., the state-of-art of the research in that field), data (simulations) used in the paper, analysis techniques and statistical tools, results, and future perspectives, with a critical and scientific attitude.

The use of AI is prohibited for assessments. Any use constitutes a violation of academic integrity.

Students with learning disabilities or temporary or permanent disabilities: please contact the relevant University office promptly (https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/it). The office will advise students of possible adjustments, that will be submitted to the professor for approval 15 days in advance. He/she will evaluate their suitability also in relation to the academic objectives of the course.

Teaching tools

Reading and discussion of the article.

Office hours

See the website of Cristian Vignali