20.309:Course Information

Overview of Laboratory Modules

General Lab Guidelines

20.309 is an "open format" lab. The lab is open Mon-Fri from 9:00am to 5:00pm, and students are responsible for scheduling their own hours, enough to complete the necessary assignments. Instructors and TAs will always be present in the lab, but will only be available to answer questions and help you work on your experiments during scheduled hours. (However, if an emergency arises or an injury occurs, get an instructor's attention immediately).

Please also read this Lab Guidelines Document regarding safety, lab notebooks, and other issues.

Lab attendance is mandatory and there are no make-up labs. A family crisis or severe illness requiring attention from the infirmary and prohibiting you from all your coursework are acceptable reasons for missing lab. In these exceptional circumstances, every effort will be made to accommodate you.

Grading

• 50%: Written reports for lab modules

You will be working in pairs throughout the semester, but you will be submitting individual lab reports.

• 15%: Oral presentation

You will each give a 12 minute presentation on a selected lab module or a relevant journal paper.

• 15%: Homework assignments

These will include questions related to lecture material, lab modules, and selected journal articles.

• 10%: Lab quizzes

These are intended to help you prepare for the experiment you are performing. The questions will be straightforward and should take about 5 minutes before you begin working on each lab. You

• 10%: Oral participation during lectures and laboratory modules

Your participation is essential to learning during the semester. This includes attendance at lectures and your peers' presentations.