WINTHROP UNIVERSITY course Syllabus
Department of Chemistry, Physics, & Geology
Semester: Summer A-2011 Course: PHYS 102 (001) – Everyday Physics
Laboratory
Credit hours: 1
Co
OR Pre-requisite: PHYS 101
Professor: Ponn Maheswaranathan
Office: Sims 213B, Phone: (803) 323- 4940
E-mail:
mahesp@winthrop.edu
Office Hours: Before class or after class, or by
appointment.
Textbook:
The Physics of
Everyday Phenomena, 6th Edition, Griffith,
McGraw Hill publishing.
Lab manual: Lab handouts will be provided via the course website.
Course Description:
PHYS 102 is an introductory physics laboratory course primarily intended for
non-science majors. PHYS 101, Everyday physics is a co or pre-requisite for this
course. PHYS 101-102 can be used to meet the laboratory science requirement for
non-science majors. Introductory physics experiments in mechanics, sound, heat,
properties of matter, electricity, magnetism, and optics will be performed in
the laboratory. In the lab you may work with a lab-partner but need to submit
your own report. Final exam will be administered individually. Lab reports are due at the end of the lab period.
Course Objectives:
General Education Requirements:
PHYS 102
fulfill
one hour of general education requirement for natural sciences. Its co or
pre-requisite course PHYS 101 fulfills 3 hours of general education requirement
for natural sciences. Listed below are the seven fundamental student learning
outcomes for natural science courses as well as examples of how they will be
fulfilled in PHYS 101-102.
Students will be:
1. Conversant with a few
fundamental concepts from among the three main areas of natural science,
including earth, life, and physical sciences. (e.g.,
mechanics, sound, heat, properties of matter, electricity, magnetism, and
optics)
2. Able to apply
the scientific methodologies of inquiry. (e.g.,
experiments and investigations in the
PHYS 102 laboratory)
3. Able to discuss the strengths and limitations of science. (e.g.,
experimental error and analysis in the PHYS 102 laboratory)
4. Able to demonstrate an understanding of the history of scientific discovery.
(e.g., topics and devices are introduced with historical perspectives in PHYS
101)
5. Able to discuss the social and ethical contexts within which science
operates. (e.g., in PHYS 101, environmental and health hazards of new devices
and materials and sharing of knowledge)
6. Able to communicate about scientific subjects including (lab courses only)
the defense of conclusions based on one’s own observations. (e.g., PHYS 102
laboratory reports)
7. Able to discuss the application of scientific knowledge to the social
sciences and to non-scientific disciplines. (e.g., application of technology
in everyday life)
Writing Component:
The General Education Writing Component will be incorporated into this course by
requiring the following graded writing assignments: Writing lab reports with conclusions for the experiments performed,
at least 20 pages of
writing.
Class Attendance:
Attendance will be taken each lab. Good attendance & participation efforts are
expected.
Student Conduct Code:
The policy on student academic misconduct is outlined in the “Student Conduct
Code Academic Misconduct Policy” in the online
Student Handbook (http://www2.winthrop.edu/studentaffairs/handbook/StudentHandbook.pdf).
Syllabus change policy:
The instructor will make changes to this syllabus as deemed necessary for the
progression of the course.
Grading:
Writing components and final are scheduled as follows:
|
|
%Grade |
|
Laboratory Reports |
65% |
|
Final Exam |
35% |
|
TOTAL |
100% |
The above total points will be used to assign a letter grade:
93%-100% = A 88%-92% = A- 85%-87% = B+
80%-84% = B 76%-79% = B-
72%-75%
= C+
66%-71% = C 56%-65%
= D 0%-55% = F
For some labs you will write a formal lab report. Include the following in the same order for formal lab report and submit it electronically as word document:
1) Cover sheet with the
following: Title of experiment, your name, partner's name, and an appropriate
figure.
2) Starting on the second page include the following in this given order:
Purpose: (A brief statement about the experiment)
Apparatus: (List all the items and equipment used)
Theory: (Equations used in calculations)
Procedure: (Brief description of how you performed the
experiment)
Data Tables
Graphs
Conclusion: (See below)
References
How to write a conclusion?
* Conclusion is the most important part of your report. It is a brief
summary-paragraph, about half a page, high-lighting everything. You must write
your own conclusion, after completing the data collection and analysis. It must
be written as the last piece and attached after data tables and graphs.
* Conclusion should state things that are unique for your investigation which
can be accomplished by including values of the experimentally determined
physical quantities. Just remember that you cannot write your conclusion
without completing your experiments or investigations. General statements like
"I have determined the densities of given solids" is not acceptable.
* You may start your conclusion by re-stating the purpose with appropriate
changes. Then you need to briefly state (don’t repeat procedure) how you
conducted the experiment and collected the data. Continue this with summarizing
your results, referring to the data tables and graphs when appropriate, and
answer the purpose. Then you may discuss about some of the difficulties you had,
errors and their possible causes, and suggestions for improvement. Describe your
reasoning using physics terminology and principles. You should explain as
completely as possible what goes through your mind that leads you to your
conclusion.