Frequently Asked Questions

Hopefully, this page will answer some of your questions about the University of Michigan's introductory physics labs. Please choose from the following list of questions:

 

Who's in Charge?

So you want to know who to contact in case you have a question? The list of lab administrators may be found by going to our " contact us"section.

Does this course have any prerequisites?

These courses are designed to be taken at the same time as the corresponding physics lecture courses, but may be taken later. Physics 141 and 241 assume that the students have a certain amount of basic calculus: the ability to take derivatives and do simple integrals. These math skills will be used mostly to understand the derivations of some equations. All of the lab courses assume that the students are comfortable with trigonometry, exponential functions, logarithms, vector arithmetic, and mathematical notation. Finally, many of the 127/141 (Mechanics) experiments will require that you are familiar with the basic operation of a PC computer.

I'm not registered. How do I get into a section?

If it's too late to register properly, then you have a good chance of getting into a section by using Wolverine Access and entering a waitlist. You can get put on the waitlist for more than one section at a time.

When classes start, show up to the first session of the sections you're waitlisted for, and ask the GSI what your chances are. If you're high on the waitlist, he or she may be able to guarantee you a spot at the beginning of class, but more likely you won't find out until the end of the section. If you're low on the list, don't despair; typically only about 10% of the students on the waitlist show up to any given section.

If a GSI lets you into his/her section, he/she will give you an override form which you can take back to the student services office. When they process this form, you can use Wolverine Access to register for the section. You must use Wolverine Access to actually become registered for the course; the override just means that you have permission to register.

What course materials do I need to buy?

The lab manual, which is needed for the first lab meeting, is available at the local textbook suppliers.
Make Up Policy: What Should I do if I miss a Lab?

Only under unusual circumstances (medical emergencies, certain religious holidays, etc.) are you allowed to make up a lab, and only with documentation and your GSI's permission.

If you feel you have no choice but to miss a lab, you need to do the following:

  1. Call your GSI as soon as possible and let him/her know. The easiest solution to the problem is to show up at another section taught by the same GSI, and he or she will tell you whether this is possible. If it's not, go on to step 2:
  2. Go talk to Dennis Allen at the lab office. He may be able to arrange for you to attend a different GSI's section. If not, he can give you a lab make-up slip which you need to bring to your GSI to sign.
  3. Bring a signed make-up slip back to Dennis or Jim and arrange a time during the following week for you to do the experiment.

Once an experiment is taken down it will generally not be possible to make up that experiment.

How is the course graded?

The lab courses are currently undergoing a major revision, which includes the grading policy. There is no longer a final exam for the lab course. Your grade will be based on attendance, work completed during the lab, and several short pre-lab quizzes taken through the CAP website. The specifics of the grading policy will be explained by your GSI on the first day of class.
Will I be keeping a lab notebook?

No. In place of a lab notebook you will turn in either (1.) an electronic Excel® spreadsheet or (2.) a worksheet provided by your GSI containing your data and analysis. These assignments will be due immediately at the end of each lab period. For this reason, it is vital to arrive promptly to each lab and to be prepared to work in an efficient manner.
What are the pre-lab quizzes?

In keeping with our effort to revise the curriculum, we are developing new web-based pre-lab quizzes. These are intended to be fairly simple. Their purpose is only to get students to read the manual before coming to class so that the labs can be successfully completed by all students in the time alotted. These are open book quizzes. Your GSI will explain how to access the quizzes.
What is the final exam like?

There is NO final exam for the physics labs.
Can I get my religious holidays off?

Provided it is recognized by the University of Michigan. Here is a list of common holidays which are recognized by the university: Rosh Hashanah, Yom Kippur, Sukkot, Shemini Atzeret, Diwali, Hanukkah, Epiphany, Eastern Orthodox Christmas, Sankrant, Ramadhan, Chinese New Year and Tet, Id al-Ftir, Ash Wednesday, Eastern Orthodox Lent, Passover (Pesach), Good Friday, Eastern Orthodox Good Friday, Id al-Adha, Ascension Day, Eastern Orthodox Ascension Day, and Shavuot.

The above holidays were listed in approximate chronological order. If you need to miss a lab for these or other religious holidays, you should have no trouble -- provided you arrange a makeup in advance. It is not acceptable to miss a lab for a religious holiday without advance notice, and in this case no makeup will be given. Talk to your GSI and lab supervisor Dennis Allen before the conflict occurs to schedule a makeup.

Where can I go for help?

Check out the following on-campus resources for your physics help needs:

Physics Help Room

1416 Randall, 763-7222

Hours/Days: Monday-Friday 10:00 A.M. - 5:00 P.M. (or as posted)

This room will be staffed by experienced graduate instructors to assist with questions regarding physics lecture and laboratory material. Your lab instructor will also hold office hours in this room. The physics help room has a web page, with a schedule of GSI office hours.

Science Learning Center

1720 Chemistry Building, 930 N. University. 763-9399 or 764-9326.

Hours: Mon.-Thu. 9 A.M. - 9 P.M., Fri. 9 A.M. - 6 P.M., Sat.-Sun. 12 A.M.-6 P.M.

How do I find out what room my lab is in?

All the lab rooms are on the first floor of Randall Laboratory. The exact room that your lab is held in will change from week to week. When it's time for class, just go the the general area of the lab rooms and look for a bulletin board in the hallway which gives the room number for each course and section. If you can't find this board, ask at the lab offices (1241 PRL).

 

Created by Matthew Lewis
August, 2002
lewism@umich.edu