Students who don't wish to write a research-based thesis can fulfill the WIC requirement by taking PH 317 Experimental Physics along with an additional upper-division physics elective. PH 317 is a 3-credit lab offering an in-depth experience through a few experiments coupled strongly with writing experience.
Students who take PH 317 will also take PH 491 to fulfill one of the requirements of the Core Education program. They do not continue on to take PH 492 and PH 493.
We measure the air exchange rate in the Weniger labs using dry ice and a carbon dioxide sensor. It's certainly relevant to COVID practices and is an interesting test of exponential decay models.
We measure x-ray emission from metals and x-ray absorption by metals. We uncover some fascinating quantum mechanics of multi-electron atoms and we learn how this technique is applied in modern chemical analysis of solids. It is also an ideal situation to apply some basic statistics to quantify the uncertainty in the measurements. Understanding the underlying physics of the apparatus is a key part of making sense of the entire experiment. Writing about the physics, the apparatus, the analysis and communicating with graphs and pictures takes place all through the experiment. You keep an electronic lab notebook (OneNote) and present your results and analysis weekly to your peers. We spend 3-4 weeks on the experiment, so you can refine data, retake it, analyze carefully, just as we do in a research lab. Those who have time to explore independently can design an experiment to investigate x-ray diffraction.
We measure the diffusive motion of micron-sized polystyrene spheres in water. We find evidence for atoms! We learn to quantify this random motion. We learn how this technique is important in modern biophysics. We use advanced microscopes and learn the basics of image analysis, a highly sought-after skill. We again have an ideal situation to apply some basic statistics. Writing about the physics, the apparatus, the analysis and communicating with graphs and pictures takes place all through the experiment. You keep an electronic lab notebook (OneNote) and present your results and analysis weekly to your peers. We spend 3-4 weeks on the experiment, so you can refine data, retake it, analyze carefully, just as we do in a research lab. Those who have time to explore independently can investigate the motion in another fluid (pond scum?) or design an extension of the basic experiment.
The goal of this WIC course is for you to write as a professional experimental physicist would, just as in PH 403. You write technical reports for the experiments and review the work of your peers. The time devoted to each experiment allows for revision and rewriting.
Please check the schedule of classes for scheduling information. Departmental permission is needed for enrollment — contact the PH 317 instructor (currently Matt Graham).
Priority for enrollment goes to graduating seniors who have not enrolled in PH 403, but they must make their intentions known early. Second priority goes to juniors who do not intend to enroll in PH 403. This prioritization allows the department to allocate resources and faculty time equitably. Third priority goes to juniors who wish to take PH 401/403 in addition to PH 317 and to seniors who are currently enrolled in or have completed PH 401/403. Once your enrollment is approved, the physics office will set registration privileges for you.
For students taking PH 317, the PH 401 requirement will be waived and replaced by a physics elective physics .
