Diversifying the Sophomore Physics Lab Experience

TitleDiversifying the Sophomore Physics Lab Experience
Faculty/College/UnitScience
StatusCompleted
Duration1 Year
Initiation04/01/2004
Completion03/31/2005
Project Summary

The main objective of this project is to introduce new experiments in the second year physics laboratory, covering topics in biophysics and in astronomy. These areas have been chosen in recognition of the diverse group of students taking this laboratory and they provide a means of introducing all of the students to the breadth of science that is touched by experimental physics. The astronomy experiment involves teaming how a CCD detector works, a central tool for measuring light that finds applications in many fields beyond the generation of astronomical images. Such an experiment forms a bridge between the basic electronics that is emphasized in the course and the more sophisticated experiments that they will encounter in later years. A biophysics experiment will focus on exploration of polymer physics with respect to nucleic acid motion in a separation medium, with application to DNA and protein analysis in genomics and proteomics, fast growing areas with considerable student demand.

Funding Details
Year 1: Project YearYear 1
Year 1: Funding Year2004/2005
Year 1: Project TypeSmall TLEF
Year 1: Principal InvestigatorDoug Bonn
Year 1: Funded Amount27,600
Year 1: Team Members

Douglas Bonn, Physics and Astronomy, Faculty of Science