Laboratory Exercises

Lab manual: a PDF version is available on-line. The individual hand-outs can be reached from the table above.

Attendance: on-time arrival and attendance is required. Late arrival will prevent you from participating in that week's exercise, though a write-up will still be required.

Safety: All safety regulations must be strictly adhered to. Failure to comply will result in a grade of zero for the exrecise. The safety quiz prior to the radiation lab must be passed in order to participate in the exercise.

Preparation:
1) Read the hand-out before coming. You should have a clear idea of why you are doing each exercise and what you will need to know and do
2) Plan ahead. In many cases you will need to have solutions or items prepared for certain steps in the exercise. Don't wait until the last minute to get them ready. Read ahead, and see what you will need later: then start preparing as soon as possible.
3) Be safety conscious. A laboratory is a dangerous place. Flagrant violation of stated safety procedures or 'horsing around' will result in dismissal from the lab and a grade of zero for that week's assignment. NO EATING, DRINKING, CHEWING OR SMOKING IS ALLOWED IN THE LABORATORY.

Lab reports: It is important that you learn to write in a way that is consistenbt with other scientific writing., so you will be expected to complete five lab reports throughout the semester. Each one is due by 5:00p.m. one week after completing the exercise. Late reports are penalized 20% for each day late. All reports must be handed in in order to pass the course. Read Pechenik's book on how to write a lab report carefully. A summary guide can be obtained by clicking here. Also look at http://www.ncsu.edu/labwrite/

Techniques:There are several key techniques you will be expected to master, and will be tested on.