Physics 4970
NanoLab
Spring 2007
Instructor:
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Dr. Lloyd Bumm, |
TA:
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Wesley
Tennyson , NH 265,
325-3961 x 36265 |
Laboratory:
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Section
001 TR 14:30-16:20 Nielsen Hall 340
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Textbook: |
Handouts
& Web Materials
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Notebook: |
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Class
Website:
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What
the course covers:
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Nanoscience
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Course Description: NanoLab is a hands-on laboratory course in nanotechnology targeting undergraduate and graduate students in the physical sciences, the biological sciences, and engineering. The students will gain an understanding of nanotechnology through hands-on experience with a variety of nanofabrication techniques, such as lithographic patterning, nanoparticle growth, and self-assembly. Hands-on experience with state of the art nanometer-scale characterization techniques, such as atomic-force microscopy, is an integral part of the course. NanoLab is offered in the spring 2007 semester as a 2 credit hour laboratory course. Your progress will be evaluated through a combination of quizzes, homework, worksheets, labnotebook, presentation(s), and attendance.
Who should enroll?
Students of physical and biological sciences and engineering.
Undergraduate students who want to explore topics in nanotechnology.
Graduate students who want to learn how nanotechnology may be used in their research.
Prerequisites: No specific experience is required; however, basic sophomore-level laboratory competence is assumed.
Course Components
There
are eight major components of this course: lecture, laboratory, lab reports,
lab notebook, quizzes/homework, and attendance. Below the details of each are discussed.
Lecture
The lectures will
be used to introduce and discuss new concepts and to explain procedures for
the laboratory activities. There are no appropriate textbooks for this class. TAKE NOTES.
Lab
Activities
You
will choose a lab partner(s). If problems
arise, I reserve the right to make reassignments. Please be considerate of your lab partner.
Do not let him/her carry all of the weight.
This is a hands-on learning experience.
ATTENDANCE IS REQUIRED.
Lab Notebook
Learning
to keep a good notebook is critical to any scientific profession. The most important aspect of your notebook is
completeness. Record all of your measurements,
sketches, etc. in your notebook. Do
not write on scraps of paper or loose note sheets. Incorrect behavior will be modified by confiscating
the offending media. Neatness and organization
are important, but the ability to keep a neat and organized notebook on the
fly develops only with practice. Completeness is critical. When you leave the lab, your notebook should
contain enough information that you could write up the lab even if you lost
all memory of having done it.
In
most labs, your lab notebook should include a sketch of the aparatus, outline
of the procedure, observations, measurements, etc. Use tables to organize
your data. Your notebook is the place for raw data..
The
top of each page must include the date and the lab being performed. The
pages should never be removed from the notebook. These are a permanent record of your lab work.
Quizzes
Preparation
for lab is fundamental to success in the laboratory.
Many instruments and equipment can be ruined if operated incorrectly.
Quizzes will help us determine if you are prepared for the lab actviity. Some
quizzes may cover material from a previous lab activity. These are to deterimine
if you have learned the key concepts you were to learn. Quizzes may be unannounced,
although we will often give yoiu advance warning.
These quizzes provide feedback for your instructor as well as an incentive
for you to keep up with the course.
THERE ARE NO MAKE
UPS ON THE QUIZZES.
Homework
Homework
assignements will be made throughout the course. It is designed to guide your
through key concepts of the lab activity. Unless otherwise instructed, you
will be expected to do the homework outside of class. Homework will be due
at the beginning of the period on which it is due. Plan ahead.
We do accept homework early. DO
NOT WAIT UNTIL THE LAST MINUTE!
1.
Place your name on your assignment.
2.
Write the name of your lab partner(s)
on the assignment.
3.
Place your section number on your
assignment.
4.
Clearly state the problem set
number and problem numbers on the assignment.
5.
Staple all the pages of your assignment
together.
6.
Clearly number your problems.
Answers that are not worthy of identification are not worthy of grading.
7.
Show your work.
Answers without calculation or reasoning will not be given credit.
8.
Neatly draw a box about your answer.
Answers that are not boxed will not be graded!
You
will be working with a lab partner(s) throughout this course. Naturally you will share results and your lab
reports and notebooks will be strikingly similar. You are encouraged to work on problems with
your partner or other classmates. However
you must take responsibility to personally learn the material.
Copying another persons' work is plagiarism, and will be considered
cheating. Remember that quizzes and
the lab practical are taken individually.
Attendance
Attendance is required at each scheduled
lab period and at each scheduled lecture. We will take attendance.
Your lab partner will thank you.
Presentations
There are many topics we would
like to cover in NanoLab. Time does not permit use to do all of them as a
hands-on activity. Therefore you will choose an article to read and present
to the class near the end of the course. This is not a leacture, but a discussion
that you will lead.
Grading
The approximate
grade breakdown follows
Component |
percentage |
Quizzes
+ Homework |
20 |
Notebook |
10 |
Lab
Worksheets |
40 |
Attendance |
20 |
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Cheating
Cheating
will be punished according to University guidelines. See the student handbook under academic misconduct
for a description of infractions and policies. While working together on problem sets is encouraged,
simple rote copying of the homework solutions of other students is cheating.
The work of both students will be handed over to Academic Misconduct
Committee. Copying homework from solution manuals is cheating.
Students with
Disabilities
Any student in this course who has a disability
that may prevent him or her from fully demonstrating his or here abilities
should contact me as soon as possible so we can discuss accommodations necessary
to ensure full participation in this class.