update syllabus to be more accessible

zingale · zingale · commit d22d920ba1c4 · 2026-02-05T09:57:22.000-05:00
diff --git a/syllabus/syllabus.tex b/syllabus/syllabus.tex
@@ -30,6 +30,9 @@
   pdflang={en-US}
 }
 
+% don't number sections but include them in the TOC
+\setcounter{secnumdepth}{0}
+
 \begin{document}
 
 \begin{center}
@@ -40,14 +43,14 @@
 {\em Web:}\/ {\small \url{https://sbu-python-class.github.io/python-science}}
 \end{center}
 
-\subsection*{Learning Goals:}
-
 The learning goal of this course is to enhance scholarship in an area
-of active research, by learning how to apply python to problems
-in your field.
+of active research, by learning how to apply python to problems in
+your field.
+
 
+\section{Logistics}
 
-\subsection*{Format:}
+\subsection{Format}
 
 The class will be interactive throughout, with students working
 through Jupyter notebooks together with the instructor during the
@@ -59,12 +62,12 @@ \subsection*{Format:}
 managed via slack.  All students are expected to participate in this
 online discussion.
 
-\subsection*{Credit:}
+\subsection{Credit}
 
 This is a 1-credit course.
 
 
-\subsection*{Contacting the Instructor:}
+\subsection{Contacting the Instructor}
 
 {\em e-mail:} michael.zingale@stonybrook.edu ({add ``PHY 546'' to the
  start of the subject line of any e-mail}).
@@ -77,7 +80,7 @@ \subsection*{Contacting the Instructor:}
 
 
 
-\subsection*{Texts:}
+\subsection{Texts}
 
 There are no required textbooks for this class.  Online information
 will be linked to from the course webpage.
@@ -86,8 +89,9 @@ \subsection*{Texts:}
 {\em Effective Computation in Physics}\/ by Scopatz \& Huff.
 
 
+\section{Course Topics and Following Along}
 
-\subsection*{Lecture Topics:}
+\subsection{Lecture Topics}
 
 We will (try to) discuss the following topics in the course:
 %
@@ -127,7 +131,7 @@ \subsection*{Lecture Topics:}
 interest and the participation level of the class.
 
 
-\subsection*{Computers:}
+\subsection{Computers}
 %
 As we all use different systems for our research, we are not meeting
 in a computer lab.  Instead, you should bring your own laptop to
@@ -139,14 +143,14 @@ \subsection*{Computers:}
 able to follow along for most of the course content using a cloud platform.
 
 
-\subsection*{Slack:}
+\subsection{Slack}
 %
 We will use the slack team communication tool for all discussion.  You
 will be added to the slack team at the start of the semester and then
-can join in on the conversation at: {\sf phy546-S25}
+can join in on the conversation.
 
 
-\subsection*{Evaluation:}
+\section{Assessment}
 
 Students are expected to attend the class and to contribute
 to the slack discussions (by asking questions, proposing examples, or
@@ -177,8 +181,9 @@ \subsection*{Evaluation:}
 material.
 
 
+\section{Required Syllabus Statements}
 
-\subsection*{Student Accessibility Support Center Statement}
+\subsection{Student Accessibility Support Center Statement}
 
 If you have a physical, psychological, medical, or learning disability
 that may impact your course work, please contact the Student
@@ -195,7 +200,7 @@ \subsection*{Student Accessibility Support Center Statement}
 and search Fire Safety and Evacuation and Disabilities.
 
 
-\subsection*{Academic Integrity}
+\subsection{Academic Integrity}
 
 Each student must pursue his or her academic goals honestly and be
 personally accountable for all submitted work. Representing another
@@ -210,7 +215,7 @@ \subsection*{Academic Integrity}
 {\small \url{http://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/academic\_integrity/}}
 
 
-\subsection*{Critical Incident Management}
+\subsection{Critical Incident Management}
 
 Stony Brook University expects students to respect the rights,
 privileges, and property of other people. Faculty are required to
@@ -224,7 +229,7 @@ \subsection*{Critical Incident Management}
 and the Faculty-Employee Handbook.
 
 
-\subsection*{Electronic Communication}
+\subsection{Electronic Communication}
 
 Email to your University email account is an important way
 of communicating with you for this course.  For most students the
@@ -238,7 +243,7 @@ \subsection*{Electronic Communication}
 are not responsible for undeliverable messages.
 
 
-\subsection*{Religious Observances}
+\subsection{Religious Observances}
 
 See the policy statement regarding religious holidays at\hfill\\
 {\small \url{https://www.stonybrook.edu/commcms/registrar/calendars/religious_holidays.php#2022}} \linebreak
