Physics 121 Laboratory
Fall 1999

Instructor: Dr. Hank Yochum
Wed 1:30 pm - 4:20 pm
or
Thur 2:30 pm - 5:20 pm

How to contact me:

Please consult the web page for lab announcements, homework assignments, and other useful information.

Feel free to call whenever you need to. I tend to check my voicemail and email frequently, so if I am not around, I will get in touch with you as soon as possible. One of the benefits of going to a small college like Sweet Briar is the opportunity to get personalized attention from your professors, take advantage of this in all your courses.

Text:
RealTime Physics Active Learning Laboratories

Office Hours:
Monday 2 pm - 3 pm
Tuesday 2 pm - 4 pm
also by appointment...
I am generally around the department, so if you are looking for me, look in the physics department whether or not I am having office hours.

Course Goals:
    To increase understanding of physical laws applying to mechanics
    To develop physical curiosity
    To enhance problem solving and critical thinking skills
    To enhance investigative and observational skills
    To develop an appreciation for logical qualitative and quantitative reasoning
    To develop communication skills

Preparation:
You are expected to have working knowledge of algebra and trigonometry.

Attendance:
Coming to lab is mandatory.  If for soome reason you cannot come to lab, see me BEFORE you are absent.

Homework Sets:
Homework will be assigned every lab period and will be due the following lab period. HW will consist of the HW sheets in your book. I will sometimes have you skip questions so pay attention to the assignments.

I encourage you to work with your peers on the HW. Speaking with your classmates is an excellent way to learn. However, this does not mean you should copy homework or lab work!

Pre-labs:
Pre-lab exercises, which are in your lab book, are due at the beginning of each lab session. The pre-lab will be graded, but not all exercises are graded for correctness. A solid effort is necessary to receive full credit on the pre-lab.

Quizzes:
From time to time I will give a short lab quiz to make sure the class is understanding the material.  We will most likely have around 5 such announced quizzes. 

Grades:
pre-lab..................................................10 %
in lab assignments..................................50 %
lab homework.......................................20 %
lab quizzes.............................................20 %

Your lab is a separate 1 credit course independent of your lecture grade. However, what you learn in lecture will help in lab and vice versa.

Tentative Course Schedule:
subject to change...