PHY 370 Advanced Experimental Physics

 

Fall 2017             (1 semester hour)

MLT 304, Time TBA

 

Instructor:     George Rutherford, MLT 308-A

                        438-2934         ghr  -AT-  ilstu.edu

                        Office Hours  TBA

                        Lab:  MLT 304

 

Text:               No text is required.

 

Electronic Notebook:  

We will be using a Google drive as our electronic lab notebook.  Use this location to record your activities and ideas, and create folders to hold other materials such as datasheets, application notes, journal articles, diagrams, and pictures. Please send me your desired email address (gmail is ok but not required) and I'll give you access to your group's folder.

 

Overview:

            This course is designed to give undergraduate physics majors experience with more complicated experiments, methods, and equipment.  It is also designed to teach entrepreneurial skills and mindset for those students and projects that lend themselves to development and possible marketing of an innovative device or method.  Students choose a project and either use existing equipment or design and build new apparatus to test.  The work culminates in both a written and oral report at the end of the semester.

 

Objectives:

            Students who successfully complete this course will:

 

• Choose an appropriate project using web or literature searches and creative ideation (and customer/market analysis in the case of new product design)
• Learn appropriate entrepreneurial skills including time management, idea-to-product (I2P) analysis, idea screening, idea-focusing through SCAMPER analysis, and feasibility studies
• Develop a suitable work plan to complete the project
• Determine specifications and procure needed equipment and supplies within budget
• Design, build, and test/modify/re-test any required electronic or mechanical apparatus
• Gather and analyze data
• Maintain an up-to-date and comprehensive electronic notebook
• Summarize their work and results in a final paper and oral presentation.

 

Student Expectations:

 

• Work conscientiously with the other members of your group
• Update the lab notebook wiki at least once each week
• Consult the instructor with any questions or concerns

 

Schedule:

 

            In each of the first few weeks, we will meet for a single 50-minute period each week and discuss the following topics:

 

• Time management
• Where to find good ideas for projects, including SCAMPER analysis
• Idea-to-Product (I2P) analysis
• Business feasibility analysis
• Intellectual property policy (internal and external)

 

Your lab journal entries during this period should indicate your understanding of these concepts (regardless of your project’s nature) and give your initial application of them to your idea (assuming you are developing a new product).  Later entries should draw on these concepts as necessary.

 

After you have settled on an idea and formed your group, the remainder of the semester will be spent developing and implementing your work plan.  You should plan to spend a minimum of 3 hours each week in the lab or shop and at least 2 hours per week working outside of class.  The schedule for end of semester presentations will be announced later.

 

Grading:

 

            Your grade will be determined by the following breakdown of assignments:

 

• Google drive material/entries   30%
• Work in lab/shop                    30%
• Final written report                20%
• Final presentation                   20%

 

I will monitor your Google drive throughout the semester and give you regular feedback.  Your work in the lab/shop will be evaluated on a combination of your dedication and timeliness, and the quality and innovation of your work.  The final report and final presentation will be evaluated on a combination of the quality and clarity of the report/presentation (about two-thirds) and the quality (and success!) of the outcome of the project.