PHYS 251 – Matter and Energy
Laboratory
|
Instructor: |
Kristen
Kull |
|
Office: |
Sims
107B |
|
Email: |
|
|
Telephone: |
323-4921 |
|
Office
Hours: |
F 11:30 – 12:20, or by appointment |
PHYS 251 is a one (1) credit hour course. PHYS 251
meets in Sims 207.
Physics labs do not
meet the first week of classes.
Course
Description
PHYS251 –Matter and Energy Lab is a
separate course from PHYS250 with an independent grade. It facilitates
learning many of the same principles and applications of physical science
discussed in PHYS 250. Critical thinking and the application of science
and scientific methods will be emphasized. Each week we will explore some
important scientific principle or a phenomenon to learn more about Matter and
Energy. It is important that the student engage with the material,
classmates and the instructor for discussion and participation. This is
an active course. Participation affects lab grades.
To
facilitate achievement of University Level Competency # 3, understanding the interconnected nature of
the world and the time in which they live, these students are taught to look
deeper into natural tendencies and understand why they occur. The majority of the student population in
this course will have a direct influence on the formative minds of our
children. In addition to being able to
present a ‘cool’ demonstration, these future teachers can explain the science
behind the magic. Physics 251 students learn
to recognize how their chosen area of study is inextricably linked to other
fields.
In
addition, students are required to develop or research a new experiment which
aligns with elementary age children, the level most will be teaching. To fulfill University Level Competency
#4, these
students must write instructions with basic scientific explanations, to be used
by their colleagues. The project
culminates by oral presentation and experiment demonstration. As a class, members exchange ideas through a
session of classroom constructive criticism.
Course Objectives
· Learn how to design and carry out physics and chemistry
experiments.
· Learn how to use computers for data collection &
analysis and graphing.
· Draw conclusions for the experiments and write laboratory
reports.
· Learn to the point of being able to apply concepts and
scientific approaches to think critically about the world around them.
Student Competencies
· Demonstrate proficiency using Data Studio to collect,
display and analyze data.
·
Demonstrate understanding of
scientific methods in designing and carrying out experiments.
·
Demonstrate proficiency with
measurements including correct precision and significant figures.
· Demonstrate understanding of all subjects emphasized in lab
activities.
Students with Disabilities
Winthrop University is dedicated to providing access to
education. If you have a disability and need classroom accommodations,
please contact Gena Smith, Coordinator, Services for
Students with Disabilities, at 323-3290, as soon as possible. Once you
have your Professor Notification Form, please inform me so that I am aware of
your accommodations well before the first {test/paper/assignment}.
Student Conduct Code:
Turn
cell phones off during lecture. “Responsibility for good conduct rests with
students as adult individuals.”
Distractive or disrespectful behavior will not be tolerated.
Carefully read the Winthrop University Conduct Code and the policy on student
academic misconduct as outlined in the “Student Conduct Code Academic
Misconduct Policy”. An electronic copy
of the document may be found printed in the Winthrop University Student
Handbook online at: http://www2.winthrop.edu/studentaffairs/handbook/StudentHandbook.pdf. Infractions will be
handled individually through counseling.
Without satisfactory resolution, the student may be dismissed from
class, receiving a zero for the lab.
Additionally, cheating and
plagiarism in any form is not permitted.
The
following is a tentative schedule for labs; modifications
may be made.
|
Wk |
Date: |
Lab - Principles Emphasized |
|
1 |
Jan
15/16 |
No Class |
|
2 |
Jan
22/23 |
Pendulum Movement - Experimental Methods and Scientific
Approach |
|
3 |
Jan 29/30 |
|
|
4 |
Feb 5/6 |
Spreadsheets and Graphing - Manipulating and Displaying
Data |
|
5 |
Feb 12/13 |
|
|
6 |
Feb 19/20 |
|
|
7 |
Feb 26/27 |
Introduction to Data Studio - Acquisition and manipulation
of data DS |
|
8 |
Mar 5/6 |
Latent Heat of Fusion - Energy Associated with a Phase
Change |
|
9 |
Mar 12/13 |
|
|
Mar 17-21 |
Spring Break |
|
|
10 |
Mar 26/27 |
Titrations (Acids and Bases) - Applying an Analytical
Technique |
|
11 |
Apr 2/3 |
|
|
12 |
Apr 9/10 |
TBD |
|
13 |
Apr 16/17 |
Instructor Experiments/Review |
|
14 |
Apr 23/24 |
Test/Project |
* Rock Hill School District late start day
Grading
Grades
will be the average of the individual lab grades (weighted equally) and a
cumulative test or project given/presented the last meeting time of the
semester. The test/project will count as two lab grades. This test will consist of problems similar to
those in labs and questions concerning material covered. The project will be student devised,
evaluated and edited by classmates. Project
revisions will be made by the devising team and presented to the class.
Each lab is worth 100 points, and the test/project is worth 200. The lowest lab grade will be dropped, thus
making a combined course total possible of 1300 points. Grades will be assigned as follows:
90-100% A 80-89.9% B 70-79.9% C 60-69.9% D Below
60% F
Each student is urged
to keep a file of all labs throughout the semester and notes taken in lab. These will serve as review material.
Attendance
Attendance
to labs is extremely important because labs and
the test cannot be made up.
Attendance at labs is required to receive credit for that lab.
A student must be present during the
entire period in order to be counted present. Any student absent for more
than 20% of labs will not receive a passing grade for the course.