Re: [Phys-l] Algebra based/calculus based laboratory

["Dr. Richard Tarara" <rtarara@saintmarys.edu>]

We have several labs that span all three clientele--gen-ed, algebra-based, 
calculus-based.  In some cases ('electrician' lab--bulbs and batteries) 
there are basically no differences in the way the lab is presented.  This, I 
think is important.  Your Calculus level students are likely NOT to have a 
very good conceptual grasp of the material and labs that deal with 
conceptual understanding can be every bit as valuable for them as they might 
be for the Gen-Ed student.  Other labs will vary in the information given 
and/or the analysis required.  An example would be doing Calorimetry to find 
the specific heat of a material and the latent heat of fusion of ice.  For 
Gen-Ed the equations are given, the measurements are taken, they have to 
plug in to get final values (not necessarily easy for this group) and do 
percent discrepancies to evaluate their results (like identify the material 
given them from the specific heat).  For the Algebra and Calculus level 
classes--they must produce the appropriate equations for the ultimate 
measurements.  For the Calculus level, they must do a detailed error 
analysis--actually working through suspected experimental errors to estimate 
if such would produce the amount (and direction) of the discrepancies that 
are seen.  Ohms law--Gen Ed given full diagrams of the setup--other classes 
told to wire up a circuit that will measure the current through and the 
voltage across the resistor.  Yes we have some experiments only done with 
one group or the other--energy conversion measurements for Gen-Ed in the 
Energy semester of the course, a vector exercise lab for the Algebra class, 
a Kirchhoff lab with the Calc students where they use matrix algebra to 
solve a circuit then build it and measure the currents.  However, the bulk 
of our labs can be used at each level with the proper modification of the 
written materials and with the amount of pre-lab assembly of the equipment 
(almost always set-up for Gen Ed, often just the materials piled on a cart 
for the Calculus levels.)

Rick

***************************
Richard W. Tarara
Professor of Physics
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN
rtarara@saintmarys.edu
******************************
Free Physics Software
New multi-input energy simulator--plays similar to the Montana State analog 
computer.
www.saintmarys.edu/~rtarara/software.html
*******************************



----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jacob Clark Blickenstaff" <jclarkblickenstaff@gmail.com>
To: <phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu>
Sent: Thursday, April 08, 2010 1:15 PM
Subject: [Phys-l] Algebra based/calculus based laboratory


> Hi all,
>      I'm new to this list, but I did not find any related messages in the
> archives, so I'll post my question:
>
> Do any other institutions out there use the same laboratory activities in
> both your algebra based (or non-majors) introductory course, and your
> calculus based (or majors) intro course?  Some colleagues need convincing
> that along with revising the 8 year old manual, creating two sets of
> activities will be worth the time and effort.
>
> Thanks,
>
>
> Jacob Clark Blickenstaff
> Assistant Professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy
> University of Southern Mississippi
> 601-266-4742
> _______________________________________________
> Forum for Physics Educators
> Phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu
> https://carnot.physics.buffalo.edu/mailman/listinfo/phys-l