Syllabus for Physics 3331
TF 1:15-4:15, + 6 hrs. additional self-scheduled time per lab

This is a three-credit laboratory class.  Your grade will be equally dependent on 6 intensive laboratories, and your final project will count as two labs. Labs 1, 2, 4, 5 need a formal write-up; 3 and 6 only need responses to what is asked for in the lab. The final project will require a formal presentation. For 2022: If you volunteered for Saturday of SciFest, remember that you can choose to do one more informal writeup (just show your results). If you vounteered for Sunday of SciFest, you get bonus points on one lab.

• Objectives:

  • Students will understand the function of research design and experimentation.
  • Students will understand the role and nature of theory explaining and predicting events and phenomena.
  • Students will be able to implement classroom and laboratory safety rules and procedures and will take appropriate safety precautions.
  • Self-checking mechanisms used by science to increase objectivity including peer review
  • Students will engage in research projects and experiments that include the applications of the design process and technology.
  • Students will engage in problem-solving, and will apply physics to solve practical problems.
  • Students will understand the contributions of physics to society, including its social, cultural, and economic significance.
• Attendance: You must attend lab. Theory and lab technique will be discussed in the first ninety minutes or so of the lab period. The rest of the lab period is used to work on your circuits. Each person should build her/his own circuit, but you should also work in pairs. We have 13 official lab meetings before the final presentation; you are expected to be in lab, working on your labs from 1:15-4:15 pm those 13 times, except you may leave early (sometime after the lecture) two times, with the expectation that you will make up the time outside of the scheduled lab time. An absence for any reason counts for both of these two times. Working on other classes' work during lab counts towards these two times. Additional absences or leaving early will reduce your lab grade for that week by a full letter grade.
• Taking Notes: Taking notes in this class is required. It is as important as coming to class. You must take notes by hand, if possible. (For reasoning and evidence, see this link.)
• Lab: The class is based on the laboratory work, write-ups, and associated questions to be answered. Labs are expected to take longer than the scheduled lab time - it is a three credit laboratory, so you should expect to spend at least six hours/week on the lab outside of scheduled time. You must complete the lab work by the end of Sunday before it is due, and then take the necessary time to write it up before Tuesday's meeting. You will also be expected to read a given week's lab ahead of time. These are just guidelines - obviously different labs will take different amounts of time, but you will need to put in significant effort. General write-up format is here. Labs are due at the start of class, and must be submitted as an electronic document on Moodle. You may turn in only one lab late, penalized 10% per day. Otherwise, late labs will not be accepted. Remember that the laboratory space needs to be shared with two other labs and general use of the room. Be sure to keep your area neat; it is advisable to put away your equipment when you are not using it, and at least before the intro labs (Monday and Tuesday afternoons). Report broken equipment.  Additional Expectations and Safety Regulations are here.
• Office hours are open, subject to my schedule. Please feel free to try any time or to make an appointment.  My schedule is here.
• College-wide syllabus policy can be accessed here.