Average

“We’re like the extreme outliers of the academic world!

In a good way, of course.”

Basic Definitions

I love biology. Perhaps in another life I would be working within mathematical biology, since I think there is some important work being done there.

Arithmetic Skills

Seriously, teachers are the epitome of self-deprecation.

Arbitrary Memorization

I understand the need to remember some things, but this tends to come from using the equations, not cramming them into your head right before an exam. I’ve literally made sure I can remember the equations before I enter the room, so that I can write them down immediately. Should students be punished if they can’t do this?

Brevity

Sometimes it gets so bad that the general public might be fooled into thinking the work we do is easy!

Edge Effects

“Edge effects” is one of the quintessential examples of handwaving in physics students.

Academic Grunt

I actually like going through calculations, but there’s no doubt that this can definitely be classified as “grunt work”.

Delicate Balance

I love how a student’s job in the class is to convince the professor that they got really accurate results while also finding a bunch of sources of error that actually contribute in a significant way.

Abelian Group

“Maybe there’s an opportunity for a lucrative invention here?”

Elementary

“Wow, so that’s what “elementary” means? I don’t even want to think about what an advanced textbook looks like then!”