Instructor: Dr. Lee Eimers
Office: ENS-270
Phone: Office 7945, Home 374-0294
Text: An Introduction to Scientific Research, by E. Bright Wilson, Jr. (Dover Publications 1990 reprint of 1952 edition)
Prerequisite: Physics 2030 General Physics III (may be taken concurrently)
Classroom : ENS 236 Time: Fridays, 3:00-4:45 R
Objectives:
- The student will complete two kits designed to develop soldering and technical skills.
_ The student will maintain a professional style lab notebook.
- The student will understand and apply methods and techniques of scientific research.
- The student will learn and apply appropriate methods of project design.
- The student will perform a minimum of 2 historically important laboratory experiments, using appropriate planning procedures.
- The student will learn to produce formal laboratory write-ups similar to those submitted for publication.
Grading:
Points:
100 - Textbook Chapter Write-ups and/or Quizzes
100 - Lab Notebook
200 - 2 Formal Lab Write-Ups (100 pt ea)
100 - Short Research Paper to demonstrate research skills
200 - Lab attendance and participation
Grading Scale:
91% and up A
81 and up B
71 and up C
Quizzes: There may be an occasional announced quiz on textbook material throughout the semester. All questions will be multiple choice. Quiz dates will be announced in class the week before.
Chapter Write-Ups: We will be covering approximately one chapter of the book per week. For each chapter, the student will write a brief summary of important material such as topics and discussions in that chapter. In each chapter, the student will classify topics that are "timeless" and need no updating, and classify topics whose discusssion is "dated" and tell how one would update them in light of today's technology.
Lab Notebook: A professional style professional notebook must be maintained for recording activities and data for experiments performed in this course. Requirements for the notebook will be given in early in the semester. Notebooks will be checked on a regular basis and at the end of the semester.
Formal Lab Write-Ups: There will be a formal lab write-up of at least two experiments. (Chosen from ?Speed of Light?, ?Measuring G?, "Using the Michelson Interferometer" and ?e/m of the Electron?.) Brief written interim reports on the state of research and/or experiment will be due each week that a final report is not due. Individual final reports on each experiment will be due at the class following completion of the experiment.
Research Paper: Each student will choose a research topic centered around an actual, potential, or hypothetical experiment. The student will then conduct background research as though they were in a research group preparing to conduct the experiment. They will write up the results of their research in the form of an introduction to a report on the proposed research. The research paper should be a minimum of 4 pages, single-spaced with paragraphs double spaced apart. References should include at least 5 papers from refereed physics journals. (Note: The topic of the paper will be chosen by the student but must be approved by the instructor.)
Attendance: The student must attend all lab sessions. Any unexcused absences will result in a 7% reduction in grade.
FINAL COMMENT: I consider my position here at Cedarville to be a ministry for the Lord. If I can help you in any way, academically or otherwise, please feel free to call me. I believe that the Lord has directed all of us to this course. In it, you will learn skills that will benefit you throughout your future career in physics. If you approach it realizing that the Author of Creation used the principles that we will examine here in the structure of His creation, then you will appreciate it even more. Also, we will be working on the development of your thinking and problem-solving skills. This, and the discipline that you will develop by working through the assignments and exercises can benefit you, both academically and spiritually. May the Lord richly bless us as we study His Creation and learn to appreciate Him more.