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 108 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 fall 2024 semester begin on August 26.

Please note that there are two PHY106A and PHY106B. They have the same labs but run in a different order, that's why the syllabuses are different.
 

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

Accordion Group

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  • Lab Semesters

    In the Department of Physics, we offer four undergraduate laboratory courses (PHY106, PHY108, PHY224, and PHY225). Each laboratory course includes ten experiments.

    During the spring and fall semesters, one experiment is conducted per week. In the summer sessions (Summer A and Summer B), there are three laboratory meetings per week: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. Summer sessions typically begin on the first Monday of the respective semester.

    The specific dates for the laboratories are listed in the SYLLABUS for each course, which also indicates if there are any breaks between the lab sessions.

  • Lab Arrangement

    The maximum capacity for each laboratory class is 18 students. Each laboratory course has several sections, and the number of sections depends on the course enrollment.
     
    Each section works on experiments using identical setups, with nine individual workstations in the lab. Students are divided into pairs, with two students per workstation, and collaborate to conduct the experiments.
     
    We aim for students to remain in the same lab room for their experiments. If it’s necessary to move equipment, the lab coordinator will handle this. In some cases, a lab may require a specific setup for an experiment or have delicate equipment. If this happens, the details about the lab setup and location will be provided in the SYLLABUS.

  • Lab Procedures

    Although students are not expected to rotate between different lab rooms, it is crucial that they always check the syllabus for the assigned room for each experiment and any weekly changes in the course. The schedule is posted on the side doors of the lab rooms (located in the gallery on the first floor of the Physics building), in the Department office lobby (on the third floor of the Physics building), and in the course syllabus.

    In the first-class session, students will meet with their assigned lab instructor. The instructor will present the details of the lab course and the class policies. At the end of each of the ten labs, students must submit their completed work to their instructor for evaluation.

    During the course, the instructor will administer four exams throughout the lab period. Students must complete these exams and submit them to the instructor for grading. Each exam is worth 5 points, contributing to 20% of the final course grade. The remaining 80% of the grade will be based on the student's performance in the lab.

  • Lab Attendance

    Laboratories follow a strict schedule with little flexibility for changes due to the large number of student sections rotating through each room. As a result, the attendance policy is very strict.

    It is crucial to attend the first two lab sessions; missing either will result in automatic withdrawal from the course. Missing one lab out of every ten will reduce your lab report grade by 10% of the maximum possible points. Missing two labs will result in a failing grade.

    In case of an emergency, you need to make arrangements to make up the missed sessions as soon as possible. Contact your lab instructors and the lab office to organize a make-up session with another section of the same course.

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