SCHEDULE
Laboratories begin on Monday, August 25, 1997. We will do 13 experiments,
as shown on the schedule on the back of this sheet. The purpose of this
course is to show you how to do and analyze physical measurements. Working
in groups of two, you will make measurements, tabulate and plot your data,
and finally evaluate and analyze the results.
The basic requirements for labs are described in the introduction to your lab manual. Notice especially page 3, which list the essential requirements for lab reports, and a list of equations you are expected to memorize. You can expect to find questions based on this material in quizzes. This material is discussed in the introduction of the lab book.
PREPARATION FOR THE LAB SESSIONS
You will find it very helpful to prepare well, i.e. read and study the materials
for the laboratories before you come to class. Being prepared
before you come to your lab session will enable you to finish on time, enjoy
the lab more and help you get a higher grade. During the first 10 minutes
of every lab period (except for the first lab of the semester) a closed
book quiz will be given and collected. These quizzes are, in principle,
aimed at testing your readiness to perform that day's experiment. Only the
material covered by the manual will be tested, but you may wish to refer
to your physics textbook for further discussion of the material covered
by the lab, particularly if this is a topic which your class has not covered
yet. Please arrive on time or you will miss the quiz and the credit
for it. A short description of the purpose of the experiment, in
your own words, is also part of the preparation for the experiment, and
should be initialed by the instructor at the start of the period. All the
materials to be graded (your lab report including data sheets, graphs, answers
to questions, etc.) must be completed during your lab period and handed
in to the instructor before you leave the lab.
The lab report consists of a cover sheet with your name, your student number and section number. This cover sheet should also contain a short description of the purpose of this experiment and a conclusion based upon your observations and measurements. Both of these parts should be in your own words: do not just copy the manual!! Answer ALL of the questions included in each lab.
Because the lab equipment is shared with other classes, the order of the experiments differs from the order of experiments in the lab manual. The schedule is given on the back of the syllabus. We suggest you order the experiments in your copy of the lab book to match your section's schedule.
GRADES
Your final grade will be determined using a scale and in the past the average
for the course was about 2.6 to 2.8. Laboratory reports contribute about
70% to your grade and quizzes will contribute about 30%.
Laboratory reports will be graded by your instructor on a 10 point scale and will be handed back at the beginning of the next lab. The points will be distributed as follows: purpose (1 pts), data, graphs, and calculations (4-5 pts) and answers to questions (2-3 pts) and conclusion (1-2 pts). Explain how you identified and tried to solve problems in the experiments, if there were any. Avoid wordiness and excessive detail since no credit will be given for this.
Quizzes will in generally have 4 questions and will be graded on a 4 point scale.
Before determining your final grade, the lowest lab report and lowest quiz grade will be dropped. Your grade will be based on the total number of points for the remaining labs and quizzes, giving a maximum of 164 points.
MISSING LABS/MAKE-UP LABS
Labs missed for documented medical or other sound reasons may be made
up by making arrangements with your instructor. No make-ups are allowed
without an explanatory note. If you simply miss a lab, without
a reason, it will be counted as zero. Arrangements for a possible make-up
should be initiated before the missed lab if possible, but in any case no
later than 24 hours after you missed the lab. Make-ups will involve approved
special attendance in a lab later in the week, if an open space is available.
Experience has shown that grades of students who miss EVEN ONE LAB
are lower than those who attend and complete all labs. You can reach your
instructor by phone at his office or by sending him an e-mail message.
Your instructor is in charge of all aspects of laboratory procedures. Please confer with your instructor first if you have a problem, since they can ordinarily solve most problems. The laboratory coordinator for this course is Prof. J. Linnemann. His office hours are Monday, 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm. The office and phone numbers are: room 251B and tel: 355-3328. If you cannot make these office hours and would like to make an appointment, please feel free to call or send an e-mail to linnemann@pa.msu.edu. . If you include a phone number, Prof. Linnemann will get back to you.
Last updated on August 15, 1997 by J. Linnemann