This course will meet weekly in a formal seminar format. Each week, a leading scientist will present his or her ongoing research (approximately 50 min, but can be longer). After each presentation, a Q&A session will be held.

Students take this course on a pass/fail basis. This course has no exams, and thus the grade is solely determined by the attendance. Three or more absences will result in an F (fail). Students who must miss a seminar may consult with the course instructor prior to the absence, but it is unlikely that an absence is excused. Two times of tardiness will result in one absence. A tardiness of 10 min or more is treated as an absence.

In addition to the attendance, students are required to submit a report immediately after each seminar. Forms are distributed prior to a seminar. Students must write the evaluation/critique of the seminar in Chinese or in English. The report is also used to check attendance. A report that is too rough/vague (including blank report) should not be submitted (considered as an absence). Reports will not be returned to students, but they are available for pick-up at the instructor's office. Reports that are not picked up will be discarded after the semester.

The titles of the seminars should be considered tentative.

This course begins at 11:20 am.