Phys 360: Intermediate Lab

This course serves to continue to develop the experimental skills introduced in Introductory Applied Physics Lab (PHYS 120), expanding these skills and using them in a variety of different physical phenomena.

The course goals are:

• To further students' knowledge and abilities in error analysis, including: error propagation, mean and standard deviation, least squares fitting, weighted averages, normal distribution, and chi-squared goodness of fit.
• To train students in data collection, analysis, and presentation (graphing) via Matlab.
• To learn computerized data acquisition via Matlab, where pre-written programs can be modified by the students.
• To teach students how to summarize experiments in project report format, including a basic understanding and explanation of the theoretical framework of the experiment.
• To teach students the importance of a lab notebook, and how to use it properly.
• To give students experience with a variety of different experiments covering various physical phenomena, including ``canonical" experiments.
• To train students to work independently with modern experimental equipment.

For more information on the course, visit our site on Sakai.