Introductory Physics II Lab (PHY162L)
Syllabus, Fall Semester 2007, Physics Department, Mercer
University
Instructor: Dr. Randall D. Peters
Office: Science and Engineering Building 206, Office phone: 301-2747
Office hours: MWF 8:15-8:45, T 8:15-8:45, or by appointment
e-mail: peters_rd@mercer.edu
Personal homepage:
http://physics.mercer.edu/hpage/peters.html
Text: There is no printed manual for this course. All
instructions and data table are posted at the following website:
http://physics.mercer.edu/labs/DEFAULT.HTM
Meets at: 9:25-12:05 Thursday (section 001) SEB 217
Meets at 3:05 - 5:45 Thursday (section 003) SEB 217
This course is the laboratory counterpart to PHY 162, which is the second
in the two-semester sequence PHY161/162 Calculus-based General Physics
I/II. In this course, students will learn to think scientifically about
numbers representing the physical world. This will involve preparation of
the experimental apparatus, taking the data itself, computing derived quantities
from the data, performing a statistical analysis of the data and the other
quantities, and arriving at sound conclusions based on all the above. Although
we will investigate a number of specific physical systems, students' goal
should be to learn to think about nature and perform experiments as physicists
(scientists) do. Co-requisite is PHY162.
During the first/last lab sessions, students will complete a Pre-/Post-test
assessment. Your SCORE on the PRE-TEST will not affect your grade
in the course. Should you fail, however, to follow instructions in
providing the following
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Student Name
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Mercer Student ID (with bubbles filled in correctly)
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Lecture Course (e.g., 162)
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Semester (e.g. Fall 2007)
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Answers to ALL the test questions
there will be a 2% reduction in the final numerical score which determines
your grade. The POST-TEST cannot reduce your final grade (except for
the same reason as the Pre-test, indicated above), BUT depending on the SCORE
you achieve, it can improve your grade as follows:
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Less than 50% -- no bonus
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50% to 59% -- +1% to final grade
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60% to 69% -- +2% to final grade
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70% to 79% -- +3% to final grade
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80% to 100% -- +4% to final grade
Lab Reports: A write-up of the previous week's experiment will
be submitted no later than the beginning of each lab period.
This report will consist of: (1) [50%] Data tables and graphs, (2) [30%]
Typed conclusion that briefly describes the experiment that was performed,
explaining features of any graph produced, and the effect of uncertainties
(errors), and (3) [20%] Answers to Selected Questions. A single group report
may be submitted by the team responsible for the experiment; however, each
member of the team must answer all questions. For information on
style of your report, consult
http://physics.mercer.edu/labs/
Grading Scale: Your final grade will be determined by the following
scale:
60-D-70-C-80-B-90-A-100
Policies
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Cell phones and Pagers: Out of courtesy for all those participating in the
learning experience, all cell phones and pagers must be turned off before
entering any classroom, lab, or formal academic or performance event.
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There are no make-up labs, and attendance is mandatory; however, if
a student has an official excuse for a missed lab, such as a note from a
Dean's office, or a doctor's note, their grade will not suffer; i.e., their
lab grade will be pro-rated. For misses known in advance (such as
authorized athletic events), every effort should be made to do the lab before
the miss, with a different instructor.
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There will be no dropped grades. All work done in the course will be
counted.
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There will be no extra-credit work.
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The college of Liberal Arts' academic misconduct policy will be followed.
In addition, all students are bound by the Mercer University Honor Code.
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Students are strongly encouraged to discuss with the instructor all
their work during the course, regardless of their grades. Questions about
point awards should be brought up as soon as possible, as all grades will
be final one week after the materials are graded and returned to students.
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If you have a problem of any kind, my door is open to you. If your schedule
should be in conflict with my office hours, then attempt to arrange an
appointment either: (i) during class, or (ii) by a chance meeting using the
information posted on my door.
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Documented Disability Statement: Students with a documented disability
should inform the instructor at the close of the first class meeting.
The instructor will refer you to the office of Student Support Services (SSS)
for consultation regarding evaluation, documentation of your disability,
and recommendations for accommodation, if needed. Students will receive
from SSS the Faculty Accommodation Form. On this form SSS will
identify reasonable accommodations for this class. The form must be
given to the course instructor for signature and then returned to SSS.
To take full advantage of disability services it is recommended that students
contact SSS immediately. The office is located on the third floor of
the Connell Student Center.