TU Physics Journal Club - College of Engineering & Computer Science

TU Physics Journal Club

Professor Jerry McCoy is the founder of the TU Physics Journal Club.

Originally, he worked in the oil industry, which was when a colleague of his mentioned that he would like to start a group that would get together to discuss advances in science. This piqued his interest. Later on, he was invited to join a journal club created by Oklahoma University for their medical campus in Tulsa, specifically to help them with the statistics of articles in Obstetrics.

By this point, he had plenty of experience leading small discussion groups over the Bible. Eventually, he left the oil industry to pursue graduate studies in Applied Mathematics, and became a Teaching Assistant. He requested to teach a physics class, and was given permission to do so. After a while, he was hired to be a professor. When he began teaching at TU, he was asked to teach a particular class: The World of Physics, and he decided to create a Physics Journal Club for that class.

The first meeting was held in September of 1997. Over that time, he has led more than 160 meetings and reviewed over 320 articles.

TU Physics Journal Club

LOCATION & CONTACT INFO

440 S. Gary Ave, Tulsa, Oklahoma
See Map Below

Second Tuesday of each Month
6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

See Calendar for Dates

  • Journal Club Meetings

    The TU Physics Journal Club is a monthly event hosted by Professor Jerry McCoy.

    Professor McCoy selects two current science articles to review and two individuals to present the articles to the audience. These individuals are typically TU students, and occasionally high school students.

    After the articles are presented, Professor McCoy delves deeper into each one, showing the audience insightful videos to help them better understand the fundamental concepts in each article. Finally, he opens up the floor for questions and discussion amongst audience members. After both articles have been analyzed, if time allows, an example of physics in everyday life will be presented by a student, thus concluding the meeting.

    The TU Physics Journal Club is a great way to expose people of all backgrounds to different types of physics and to current discoveries and breakthroughs in the scientific community. It is also a great way to challenge high school students and help them narrow down what they wish to pursue in college.

    The TU Physics Journal Club is hosted at TU’s Allen Chapman Student Union, on the second floor. Pizza, drinks, and cookies are served at 6:30 p.m., and the meeting starts at 7:00 p.m. and usually last until 8:30 p.m.

    Journal Club meets every second Tuesday of the month, unless specified differently by Professor McCoy via the mailing list. The first meeting of the academic school year will be in September, and the final one will be in April.

     

  • Upcoming Meeting Dates

    Location: Great Hall, 2nd Fl, Allen Chapman Student Union, 6:30 p.m.

    September 10, 2019

    October 8, 2019

    November 12, 2019

    December 3, 2019

    January 14, 2020

    February 11, 2020

  • Mailing List

    Join The TU Journal Club Mailing List Below!

    You’ll receive each months articles, as well as meeting information.

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  • Everyday Physics Upload
    • Send Us Your Everyday Physics!

      Seen something spectacular related to physics in your everyday life? Snap a photo and share it with us and we may feature it at our next Physics Journal Club!
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  • Frequently Asked Questions

    <!–How did the Journal Club start?

    See the “History” tab on our website!


    –>
    How long has the Journal Club been running for?

    2018 will make it 21 years!


    How long does Journal Club usually last?
    Usually 1.5 hours.


    What’s the general meeting schedule?

    Pizza, drinks, and cookies will be served at 6:30 PM, and the meeting will start at 7:00 PM. First, the Meme of the Month will be recognized. Then, the first article will be presented by a student, further analyzed by Professor McCoy, and discussed by the journal club attendees. The same process will ensue for the second article. If time permits, an example of physics present in our everyday lives will be presented by a student. The meeting will wrap up around 8:30 PM.


    How much does it cost to attend Journal Club?
    Nothing! Pizza, drinks, and cookies are served at 6:30 PM, before the meeting starts, free of charge, as well. We do, however, appreciate donations!


    Can I come to Journal Club, even if I haven’t read the articles?

    Absolutely! Each article will be presented and summarized either by a TU student, or by a high school student, so you’ll have a pretty good idea of what each article is about. If you are a student, then you are eligible to present an article, as well!


    Can I come to Journal Club, even if I don’t know much about physics?

    Of course!


    Can I bring friends?

    Absolutely! Just know that while articles are being presented and discussed, disruptive behavior is not tolerated.


    What is an appropriate age-range for the meetings?

    The difficulty level of the articles we typically discuss is most suited for people ages 17 and up, although younger individuals have come, and are certainly welcome.


    How do I receive the articles?

    Join our mailing list! You can do so on the website. Professor McCoy will email the articles to everyone two weeks prior to the next meeting.


    How will I know when the next meeting is?

    You can check the calendar on our website! Also, if you have joined the mailing list, Professor McCoy will send out an email letting you when the next meeting is, a week, or so, in advance.


    Can I be an article presenter?

    Absolutely! Contact Professor McCoy before the next meeting


    Can I be an everyday physics presenter?

    If time allows, yes! This mainly depends on the two articles selected, and how long it will take to discuss them, since examples of everyday physics are covered after the articles are reviewed, toward the end of the meeting. Contact Professor McCoy before the meeting you plan on presenting everyday physics at so that he can work it in the agenda!


    <!–I posted a comment on the website. Why don’t I see it there anymore?

    Your comment was removed because it contained profanity, or some other type of vulgar content. Please do not post obscene material on our website.


    –>
    Can I submit photos and examples of everyday physics online?

    Yes! On the website, you can click on either the Everyday Physics tab, and you will see a submission button. Click this button, type your full name, and upload your photos and/or text. We will review it, and post it, if all of your material is appropriate.


    How can I buy Journal Club merchandise?

    There will be a merchandise purchase form on our website available for you to print out, complete, and give to us at the next journal club meeting. At each meeting, we will also have blank forms available.


    How is the journal club funded?

    James Sorem, the Dean of the University of Tulsa’s College of Engineering, helps to fund the journal club. Gavin Emanuel, who is a TU Alumnus, and his girlfriend Glenda, are also contributors. We are always happy to accept donations!


    How can I donate to the Journal Club?

    Contact Professor McCoy if you wish to make a donation!

  • Contact Us

    Email

    For questions and inquiries, please email Professor Jerry McCoy at jerome-mccoy@utulsa.edu.

    Donations

    If you would like to support the TU Physics Journal Club with a tax-deductible gift, you can do so by visiting www.utulsa.edu/give.

    On the Gift Designation Page, choose “Other” from the Designation drop-down menu, then specify that your gift is to be directed to the “TU Physics Journal Club.”  Your gift will help defray the costs of the meal provided free of charge to attendees.

    Thanks so much for your support!