Undergraduate Physics Labs

Four lab courses accompany the undergraduate lecture courses offered at the Department of Physics
The usual lab course association is as follows (underline indicates link to the respective syllabus): 
Lab Course

PHY 106A

PHY 106B

PHY 108A

PHY 108B

 PHY 224 PHY 225
Lecture Course

Phy 101

College Physics I

Phy 102

College Physics II

PHY 222

University Physics II

PHY 223

University Physics III
Physics labs for the Spring 2025 semester will begin on Monday, January 27.

Please note that due to the number of sections, PHY106 and PHY108 courses have been divided into two groups (PHY106A and PHY106B, as well as PHY108A and PHY108B), which will do the same labs but in a different order. Please note the section to which you belong to select the corresponding SYLLABUS, which can also be found on the Blackboard platform.
 

James L. Knight Physics Building, #103
Coral Gables, FL 33124
Ph: (305) 284-7139   Fax: (305) 284-4222
Coordinator: Miguel Nieto
miguel.nieto@miami.edu

Accordion Group

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  • Laboratory Courses

    The Department of Physics offers four undergraduate laboratory courses: PHY106, PHY108, PHY224, and PHY225. Each course consists of ten practical experiments. During the spring and fall semesters, students conduct one experiment per week. In the summer sessions, Summer A and Summer B, three experiments are conducted each week on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Summer sessions typically begin on the first Monday of the respective semester. Specific experiment dates are provided in the SYLLABUS for each course, which also indicates any breaks between sessions.

  • Laboratory Layout

    Each laboratory session accommodates a maximum of 18 students, divided into pairs working at nine identical workstations. The number of sections per course is determined by total enrollment. Details about the experiments and schedules can be found on the SYLLABUS on Blackboard platform, the Undergraduate Physics Labs website, and on the side doors of the laboratory rooms.

  • Laboratory Procedures

    During the first session, students meet their assigned instructor, who provides an overview of the course and explains the laboratory policies. At the end of each laboratory session, students must submit their completed work to the instructor for evaluation. Throughout the semester, three exams will be administered during the laboratory period. Each exam is worth 100 points, contributing 30% to the final grade. The remaining 70% is based on students’ performance during experiments and the quality of their written reports.

  • Laboratory Safety Regulations

    For the safety of both students and laboratory equipment, consuming food or beverages inside the laboratory is strictly prohibited at all times. If a student needs to eat or drink for health-related reasons, they must request permission from the instructor and step outside the laboratory to do so. Instructors are encouraged to inspect the equipment before each student begins their experiment. For electrical circuits, it is essential to verify proper connections to prevent malfunctions or hazards. Any damage to equipment caused by improper handling or lack of attention will be the student’s responsibility. Such incidents may result in a reduction of their grade, and in severe cases, could lead to fail the lab.

  • Attendance Policy

    The laboratory program adheres to a strict schedule due to the high demand for spaces and the rotation of multiple sections. Missing a laboratory session results in a 10% reduction in the final report grade based on the total possible points. If the absence coincides with an exam, those points will also be forfeited. Missing three or more laboratory sessions leads to an automatic failing grade.

    Excusable absences include participation in university-authorized events (with an official UM letter), illness (supported by a valid medical note), or the death of a family member (documented with an obituary). Students with valid excuses must contact their instructor to coordinate a make-up session. Unjustified absences are not eligible for make-up opportunities, and the associated grade reductions will apply without exceptions.

    These guidelines outline the framework for ensuring organization, fairness, and success in the Department of Physics laboratory courses.

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