PHYS 331 - Laboratory Practices and Techniques

Description:
Topics in experimental techniques with emphasis in electronic systems. One class meeting and six hours laboratory per week.

Prerequisites:
Prerequisite: PHYS 183.

Credits: (3)

Learner Outcomes, Activities and Assessments

Learner Outcome	Activity (optional)	Assessment
The student will demonstrate the ability to design, construct, analyze, and understand electronic circuits and electronic signals of intermediate complexity.	Students will design and breadboard a differentiating circuit to produce voltage spikes and then identify how to use a signal diode to clip the spikes.	Assessment is performed by demonstrating the operation of the circuit to the instructor, orally describing the operation of the diode clipping circuit to the instructor, and in a written report showing schematics and presenting conclusions about these circuits.
The student will demonstrate an ability to apply electronic signals and circuits in investigating physical systems.	Students must correctly design and breadboard a four bit digital decoder consistent with the logic circuits used in particle telescopes.	Assessment is performed by demonstrating the correct operation of the decoder for the instructor.
The student will demonstrate the ability to apply physical and mathematical theory to explain electronic systems of intermediate complexity.	Students use complex numbers to analyze and explain the LRC circuit.	Assessment is performed with laboratory reports.
The student will demonstrate an ability to conduct and write about independent experimental investigations using appropriate scientific procedures.	Students will design an investigation of the characteristic curves of a bi-junction transistor.	Assessment is performed with laboratory reports in which they will introduce the topic, present, analyze and interpret data, describe their methods, and summarize their conclusions.