Instructor: Dr. Rhett Allain
Office hours: M, W, F 8-9; M, T, Th 1-3; T, Th 10:15 - 11:15
Office: Pursley 115
Phone: 549-2894
email: rallain@selu.edu
Course Description:
There are two main goals of this course. The first is to complement the general physics lecture course. Concepts discussed in the lecture will be further investigated in the lab. The second goal of the laboratory is to gain familiarity with the scientific methods used in modern research. This second goal includes: experimental design, error analysis, and modeling.
Course Objectives:
By the end of this course, you should be able to do the following. Use the concepts developed in the lecture course to explain physical phenomena. Construct a hypothesis and develop a means to test it. Carry out measurements, create graphs, interpret graphs, and communicate your findings with a lab report. You should also be able to effectively function as a member of a group.
Grading
Your grade in this course will be determined by your scores on formal lab reports and exams.
Formal Lab Reports: You will be required to turn in two formal lab reports following this listed format. The first formal lab report (you can choose which lab to write up) will be due at the end of the midterm exam. The other formal lab report will be due at the end of the final exam. You are welcome to turn in formal reports early.
Exams: There will be two exams. Both will cover the physics content and lab material from the previous labs. The exams may also include a practical component - like a mini lab. In these portions you will be responsible for collecting or analyzing data individually. During the exams you may use any lab material that you turn in (see non-graded lab reports).
Non-Graded Lab reports: For each lab you may turn in a lab report that can be used on the exams. On these informal lab reports, you can put whatever information you think will be useful. Do not turn in material that is not yours.
Grade Determination: Your grade in this lab will be determined by the above components weighted in the following manner:
Formal Lab Reports = 40%
Exams = 60%
Grades will be determined from the following scale:
A = 90% - 100%
B = 80% - 89%
C = 70% - 79%
D = 60% - 69%
F = 0 - 59%
*** If you miss more than 3 labs, you will receive an F in the course.
Lab Reports:
Lab reports are due at the begining of the next lab period. The guide for writing lab reports can be found here. A word processor is recommended for lab reports.
Prerequisites:
The prerequisite for this course is registration for or prior credit for Physics 191. This course is designed to supplement the Physics 191 course. If you have taken PHYS 191 in the distant past, you will still be responsible for the lecture course material. If you withdraw from the lecture course, it is recommended that you also withdraw from the lab course.
Required notices:
If you are a qualified student with a disability seeking
accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act,
you are required to self-identify with the Office of
Disability Services, Room 203, Student Union. No
accommodations will be granted without documentation from
the Office of Disability Services.
It is the University policy that the classroom is not a
place for children, and that students are not to bring
their family members for day care or baby sitting.
It is the University policy that free discussion, inquiry,
and expression are encouraged in class. However, classroom
behavior that interferes with either (a) the instructor's
ability to conduct the class or (b) the ability of students
to benefit from the instruction is not acceptable. Examples
may include routinely entering class late or departing
early; use of beepers, cellular telephones, or other
electronic devices; repeatedly talking in class without
being recognized; talking while others are speaking; or
arguing in a way that is perceived as "crossing the
civility line." In the event of a situation where a student
legitimately needs to carry a beeper/cellular telephone to
class, prior notice and approval of the instructor is
required. Classroom behavior which is deemed inappropriate
and cannot be resolved by the student and the faculty
member may be referred to the Office of Judicial Affairs
for administrative or disciplinary review as per the Code
of Student Conduct which may be found at
http://www.selu.edu/StudentAffairs/Handbook/2005/codeofconduct.html.
It is the University policy on e-mail communication that
instructors may use only official Southeastern e-mail
addresses when initiating or responding to electronic
correspondence with students.
Students are expected to maintain the highest standards of
academic integrity. Behavior that violates these standards
is not acceptable. Examples are the use of unauthorized
material, communication with fellow students during an
examination, attempting to benefit from the work of another
student and similar behavior that defeats the intent of an
examination or other class work. Cheating on examinations,
plagiarism, improper acknowledgment of sources in essays
and the use of a single essay or paper in more than one
course without permission are considered very serious
offenses and shall be grounds for disciplinary action as
outlined in the current General
Catalogue.