Grades and lab organization¶

Student Learning Outcomes¶

In this lab the theoretical skills acquired in the lectures will be strengthened through observation, measurement, data acquisition and analysis. The labs follow the lecturing courses as close as possible so that you apply the concepts discussed in lectures in lab, or are exposed to the concepts with hands-on experience shortly before the discussions of them in lecture.

Students will learn the ability to engage in scientific inquiry with respect to the natural world. Students will receive training on performing measurements with with data acquisition software. Students will learn about measurement uncertainties (errors) and verify or re-discover laws in mechanics (1105) or electrodynamics (1106). Students will also learn how to research for information that is not provided in the lab manual, to analyze and present observations and measurements (with plots and tables).

Lab structure¶

Each lab week is associated with a worksheet that contains information for preparation, as well as deliverable and graded pre-lab and in-lab parts, more about that below. The labs start with an introduction of the experiments by the lab instructor, which is a graduate-student physics teaching assistant (TA). After the introduction and a discussion of the TA with all students, you will perform the experiments and complete the in-lab part of the worksheet that needs to be submitted to Canvas by the end of the lab.

All experiments are done in groups of three students (or four if necessary) that are randomly assigned in Canvas ("People" tab). You will take the measurement of data together in this group but will submit your worksheet with detailed answers and the data analysis individually.

Classes run from the week of 1/21 through the week of 4/29 and attendance is mandatory.

Worksheet structure: Each week's worksheet will be available in Canvas for download one week before the lab. The worksheet contains a fixed number of points that contribute to the final grade. The worksheets typically contain three sections:

• "Your preparation": You will need review these topics before coming to the lab as part of your preparation. Preparation is mandatory.
• "Pre-lab": These are exercises and questions that are graded with points. You will have to upload the answers to Canvas before coming to the lab. No late submissions are accepted. Non-submissions are graded as 0.
• "Lab measurements and report": This part constitutes a guided lab-report (graded with points) that you will need to submit by the end of the class to Canvas. If your work is incomplete, you will have to submit the incomplete worksheet. No late submissions are accepted. Only the lab manager Richard Guarino or lab supervisor (not the lab TAs/instructors) can extend the submission deadline and only in well-justified and exceptional circumstances. Non-submissions are graded as 0.

Absences¶

Absence can be excused or unexcused. Excused absence needs to be justified in accordance with university policy, otherwise the lab is unexcused (0 point grading of the week's worksheet): If you cannot attend a lab due to sickness ( https://www.smu.edu/studentaffairs/drbobsmithhealthcenter/class-excuse-policy ) or other personal or religious reasons, contact the lab manager Richard Guarino rguarino@smu.edu¹ in advance. When approved, we allow for the following ways to make up a maximum of two labs:

1. You can attend a different lab session in the same week.
2. If this is not possible, you will be provided a data set and submit the worksheet based on that.
3. You can decide to do the separate makeup lab (on a date towards the end of the semester to be announced).

Unexcused absences will automatically lead to 0 points in the grading of the week's worksheet. More than 3 unexcused absences will lead to an F grade and exclusion of the class since the minimum requirements of the course can no longer be met. Before it comes to that, if you are experiencing challenges, please reach out to the lab manager/supervisor or the SMU Caring Community Connections Program.

Grading¶

Grading in this course is standards based and not rank/percentile based. That is, every worksheet has a pre-defined amount of points that can be achieved, and the grade is assigned not based on how well you do compared to peer students, but in your mastery of the material and labs, against course requirements. Grades are measuring results and not efforts, since we have no way to measure how much effort has been put into each worksheet.

On each worksheet you can achieve a certain number of points, and the fractional number of points that are given follow the interpretations in the table below: To get an A-level grade you will have to do as well as could reasonably expected. For a B-level grade your submissions have noticeable flaws, but you are well above the minimum standard. A C-level grade signifies minimum requirements. A D-level grade signifies that some aspects have been learned, but the minimum requirements have not been met.

The final grade results from adding up the numerical scores from all worksheets: $$ \text{final grade numerical score} = \frac{\sum_W\text{achieved points}}{\sum_W\text{maximum attainable points}} + 0.01\,, $$ where $W$ is the set of all worksheets, excluding the lab/worksheet with the fewest points. That is, the lab/worksheet with fewest points will be dropped and is not included in the averaging, to your advantage. We further add one percent so that students just at the margin of a better grade will receive that. Under no circumstances is (additional) grade bumping performed at the end of the semester, and we consider this an unfair preferential treatment.

Additional lab code of conduct and policy¶

• You must come prepared to the lab: This means working through the pre-lab material, as well as any further required theoretical material from the lectures beforehand. If material has not been covered in the lectures yet, you need to independently learn the necessary pre-requisites from the literature.
• You will not be allowed to perform the experiments unless you understand the procedure and can safely perform the experiment. If there is anything unclear about the experimental setup, you need to ask your instructor/TA.
• You are working in groups of three on the experiment to gather data and your active participation and contribution to the group is required. If there is repeated evidence of non-particiption you risk being excluded from the labs.
• Since the lab uses personal computers, we ask you to only use software and resources as necessary for the lab.
• Attempts to cheat or deceive or plagiarize will lead to a worksheet score of 0. This holds for any violation of the SMU Honor Code and Code of Conduct, while violations will also be reported to the SMU Honor Council: https://www.smu.edu/studentaffairs/dean-of-students/student-conduct/honor-council See the Student Handbook https://www.smu.edu/studentaffairs/dean-of-students/student-handbook
• For safety reasons the experiments must be performed completely and in all parts following the instructions. No instrumentation parts or procedural parts can be left out unless discussed with the TA.
• Damage to equipment needs to be reported to the TAs immediately.
• Drinks are allowed, food within reason (small snacks only, no large meals; subject to change). Since this is a lab environment with materials that can be toxic when inhaled or ingested, hygiene must be maintained and you are asked to wash and sanitize hands as necessary when consuming drinks and snacks.
• You need to leave the lab with your workplace tidy. Do not leave behind defective equipment. The TAs need to check your equipment before you can leave.

Generative AI is not permitted in this course.¶

Generative AI is not permitted in this course. The assignments have been designed to ensure that you personally develop and demonstrate the knowledge and skills associated with the learning outcomes laid out in the syllabus. To ensure that you can demonstrate ownership of the assignments you submit, you are encouraged to maintain clear evidence of your work (e.g., time-stamped drafts and notes; copies and links to source material). If you are unclear if something is an AI tool, check with your instructor. Students are expected to follow the SMU Student Honor Code. For graduate and professional students, honor codes are found in their respective school policies.

Title IX and Disability Accommodations¶

Disability Accommodations¶

Students who need academic accommodations for a disability must first register with Disability Accommodations & Success Strategies (DASS). Students can call 214-768-1470 or visit smu.edu/DASS to begin the process. Once they are registered and approved, students then submit a DASS Accommodation Letter through the electronic portal, DASS Link, and then communicate directly with each of their instructors to make appropriate arrangements. Please note that accommodations are not retroactive, but rather require advance notice in order to implement.

Sexual Harassment¶

All forms of sexual harassment, including sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence and stalking, are violations of SMU’s Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy and may also violate Texas law. Students who wish to file a complaint or to receive more information about the grievance process may contact Samantha Thomas, SMU’s Title IX Coordinator, at accessequity@smu.edu or 214-768-3601. Please note that faculty and staff are mandatory reporters. If students notify faculty or staff of sexual harassment, they must report it to the Title IX Coordinator. For more information about sexual harassment, including resources available to assist students, please visit smu.edu/sexualharassment.

Pregnant Students¶

Students who are pregnant may request academic adjustments or work accommodations by contacting the Office of Student Advocacy and Support by calling 214-768-4564. Students seeking assistance must schedule an appointment with their professors as early as possible, present a letter from the Office of the Dean of Students, and make appropriate arrangements. Please note that academic adjustments are not retroactive and, when feasible, require advance notice to implement.

Academic Policies¶

Religious Observance¶

Religiously observant students wishing to be absent on holidays that require missing class should notify their professors in writing within the first two weeks of the semester and should discuss with them, in advance, acceptable ways of making up any work missed because of the absence. Click here for a list of holidays.

Medical-Related Absences¶

To ensure academic continuity and avoid any course penalties, students should follow procedures described by their instructors in order to be provided with appropriate modifications to assignments, deadlines, and exams.

Excused Absences for University Extracurricular Activities¶

Students participating in an officially sanctioned, scheduled university extracurricular activity should be given the opportunity to make up class assignments or other graded assignments that were missed as a result of their participation. It is the responsibility of the student to make arrangements for make-up work with the instructor prior to any missed scheduled examinations or other missed assignments. (See current Catalog under heading of "Academic Records/Excused Absences.")

Final Exams¶

Final course examinations shall be given in all courses where appropriate, and some form of final assessment is essential. Final exams and assessments must be administered as specified in the official examination schedule and cannot be administered or due during the last week of classes or during the Reading Period. Syllabi must state clearly the form of the final exam or assessment, and the due date and time must match the official SMU exam schedule. SMU policy states that all exceptions to the examination schedule may be made only upon written recommendation of the chair of the department sponsoring the course and with the concurrence of the dean of that school, who will allow exceptions only in accordance with guidelines from the Office of the Provost.

Academic Dishonesty¶

Students are expected to embrace and uphold the SMU Honor Code. Violations of the Honor Code will be acted upon in accordance with the policies and procedures outlined in the Mustang Student Handbook.

Generative AI Guidance¶

Every course must have a statement about classroom guidance around Generative AI. This syllabus statement builder has been provided to generate course-specific guidelines.

Zoom Use Guidelines¶

SACSCOC and university policy require that all in-person classes be taught in person and not moved to Zoom or other technology-mediated modalities, except for extenuating circumstances as laid out here.

Student Support Services¶

Student Academic Success Programs¶

Students needing assistance with writing assignments for SMU courses may schedule an appointment with the Writing Center through Writing Center Online. Students who would like support for subject-specific tutoring should access the tutor schedule. Students can schedule individual academic counseling sessions and attend learning strategies workshops on a variety of skills. The A-LEC is located on the second floor of the Loyd All Sports Center, Suite 202; 214-768-3648; smu.edu/a-lec and smu.edu/asd

Caring Community Connections Program¶

CCC is a resource for anyone in the SMU community to refer students of concern to the Office of the Dean of Students. The online referral form can be found at smu.edu/deanofstudentsccc. After a referral form is submitted, students will be contacted to discuss the concern, strategize options, and be connected to appropriate resources. Anyone who is unclear about what steps to take if they have concerns about students should contact the Office of the Dean of Students at 214-768-4564.

Mental Health Resources: Counseling Services and Teletherapy¶

Throughout the academic year, students may encounter different stressors or go through life experiences which impact their mental health and academic performance. Students who are in distress or have concerns about their mental health can schedule a same-day or next-day appointment to speak with a counselor by calling Counseling Services. Counselors are available at any time, day or night for students in crisis at this number: 214-768-2277 (then select option 2) They will be connected with a counselor immediately. Students seeking ongoing counseling should call the same number (214-768-2277, then select option 1) during normal business hours to schedule an initial appointment. SMU Teletherapy provides another free option for on-demand counseling and video appointments with a medical professional.

Campus Carry Law¶

In accordance with Texas Senate Bill 11, also known as the ‘campus carry’ law, and following consultation with entire University community, SMU chooses to remain a weapons-free campus. Specifically, SMU prohibits possession of weapons (either openly or in a concealed manner) on campus. For more information, please see: smu.edu/campuscarrylaw.