From statistical physics to complex systems

Exam Modalities: Scientific Flash Talk

Context: This course, "From Statistical Physics to Complex Systems," is designed to prepare you for research in fundamental and interdisciplinary physics. As you near the end of your M2 program and prepare for your internship and PhD, it is essential to develop key skills: synthesizing scientific content, presenting it clearly and concisely, and situating it within a broader framework.

Exam Format: The exam will take the form of a 5-minute Flash Talk (strictly timed), where you will present a scientific article of your choice related to the themes covered in this course. This format mirrors the expectations of scientific conferences, where the ability to communicate complex ideas effectively in a limited time is crucial. The audience will be composed of all other students taking the exam.

Pedagogical Objectives: This exercise aims to prepare you to: i) make a bibliographical search on a scientific topic and extract its essential elements. ii) Communicate your ideas clearly and persuasively, a critical skill in research. iii) Contextualize specific work within a broader framework, whether for a paper, thesis, or research project.
 

Schedule:

- Deadline to submit your slides: Monday 30th March 8am Paris time.

- Exam date: Wednesday April 1st, 9.00 to 12. 30. Everyone taking the exam should attend the whole session of flash talks.

On what aspects will I be judged?

Article Selection: The article must be scientifically rigorous and directly related to one or more concepts from the course (e.g., agent-based models, networks, phase transitions, inequalities, etc.). You must justify your choice by explaining why the article interested you and how it fits within the course framework.
 

Visual Support: A visual aid (slides) is mandatory. It should be clear, concise, and professional (avoid overloading with information). 

Highlight the following:

   - The research question of the article.

   - The methods used.

   - The main results and their significance.

   - The strengths and limitations of the study.

Oral Presentation: Your presentation must be structured, fluid, and accessible to a general scientific audience (there should be physicists, mathematicians, and economists attending the lectures). You must explicitly connect the article to the course content.

Time Management: 5 minutes. Exceeding the time limit will result in a penalty.

Your final grade will be based on:

   - Relevance of the article choice (25%).

   - Quality of the visual support (25%): clarity, aesthetics, and effectiveness.

   - Quality of the oral presentation (30%): structure, clarity, adherence to time, and ability to answer questions.

   - Connection to the course (20%): explicit links to concepts, methods, or models covered in class.

Oh my god, I have never seen a flash talk in my life, should I still take the exam? 

Yes! During the course, we will provide examples of Flash Talks (from conferences or former students) to guide you on format and expectations.