PHYS 3310L – Learning Objectives

Learning Objectives

Overarching Objective: Civic Science

Become a responsible scientific steward by doing rigorous, ethical science and communicating it honestly, accessibly, and compellingly – to both scientific and general audiences – in a way that makes the case for why science matters to society.

Pillar 1: Conceptual Understanding

  1. Explain the physics underlying each experiment at a level that connects theoretical prediction to what the apparatus actually measures – well enough to communicate it accurately to both a scientific peer and a non-specialist.
  2. Identify and articulate the limitations of a given experimental setup – including what the apparatus cannot measure, what sources of uncertainty prevent a stronger conclusion, and what additional evidence would be needed to make a more definitive claim.

Pillar 2: Experimental Design & Protocol Development

  1. Design and execute a measurement protocol for a given research question and apparatus – determining what to measure, how many trials are needed, and what parameters to control – justifying your choices with physics and your own experimental judgment.
  2. When experimental results deviate from your predicted outcomes, troubleshoot and revise your approach by reasoning from the physics and the instrument – recognizing deviations as opportunities to deepen your understanding of the experiment.

Pillar 3: Data Quality & Uncertainty

  1. Identify and characterize sources of uncertainty in an experimental result – distinguishing between statistical and systematic error, determining which sources have the greatest impact on the measurement, and propagating uncertainty correctly through calculations.
  2. Evaluate whether a result is consistent with theoretical prediction given its uncertainty, and articulate what would increase confidence in the result.

Pillar 4: Communication

  1. Structure a coherent narrative that communicates experimental results to a specified audience – whether scientifically literate or general public – conveying what was done, what was found, and why it matters.
  2. Represent experimental results accurately and honestly – including the limitations of the experimental setup and the confidence in the results – in a way that is true to what the data shows.

Pillar 5: Collaboration & Ethics

  1. Contribute meaningfully and honestly to shared lab notebooks and group deliverables, representing your role accurately and taking responsibility for jointly authored work.