Physics 4970
NanoLab
Spring 2007

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.

NanoLab os hands-on. You are expected to be an active participant in the lab activity and in your own learning. Intelectual play is encouraged, horseplay is not. The lab activities can and should be fun if you are prepared. Your progress will be evaluated through a combination of quizzes, homework, worksheets, labnotebook, and presentation(s).

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

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.