Math 673, Spring 2012

Differential Geometry

John Zweck

Guidelines for Written Project Report for Math 673

(1) Before Tuesday March 13, you must give me a copy of the paper(s) on which you are proposing to base the project. A paper copy is preferable, but I will also accept electronic copies in the form of a pdf file.

(2) On or about Tuesday March 13, you and I need to come to an agreement on the scope of the project, and in particular on the papers/texts upon which the project is to be based.

The due date for your written report is Thursday May 3rd at start of class. I encourage you to show me a draft of your report a couple of weeks before then.

(3) I need to meet with each student individually for at least an hour during which you will give me a verbal summary of the paper and what aspects of the paper your report will focus on. This meeting should be held during the month of March. You need to make an appointment with me for a time to meet.

(4) For you project report, your audience is me, other students in the class, and yourself in six months time. You should explain concepts and results at a level of detail so that other students in the class can understand your write up without having to have read the paper you are reviewing.

(5) Goals of your review

(6) Your paper should include

Try not to exceed 10 pages

(7) When you read the paper you are reviewing as well as related papers take note of the style of the mathematical writing.
You should aim to develop a style of writing that is clear, concise, makes for easy and interesting reading, conveys specific (rather than vague) information, and is formal (rather than colloquial) without being stilted.
You should always use the active voice (We will show....) rather than the passive voice (It can be shown that.....).

Please let me know if you want clarification on any of these points.