C125 ASSIGNMENT EXPECTIONS

In C125, scores will be recorded for experiment report sheet write-ups, formal laboratory reports, notebook pages, open lab notebook quizzes, a midterm and a final exam..

Attendance in laboratory is MANDATORY. At the beginning of class, you should have a prelab completed in your laboratory notebook and you should be prepared to submit the report for the previous week’s experiment. Assignments are considered late fifteen minutes after the designated start time for that session. You should also be prepared to take a short quiz.

It is strongly suggested that students visit and utilize the C125 website:

http://www.chem.iupui.edu/C125

Included on the website:

- report sheets

- example calculations per each experiment

- example exam questions

Prelab

The prelab prepares you for the experiment you will be performing. A complete prelab includes a purpose (1-2 sentences), a list of materials, and an annotated list of procedural steps. It is also often helpful to prepare your data tables before you start an experiment. Include proper units! In this course, you should divide your notebook page in half vertically. Information you enter outside of the lab belongs in the left column. Data and observations recorded during the experiment are entered in the right column. (example notebook pages included in the C125 Laboratory Manual, Anliker et. al.)

Notebook pages

You are expected to submit a duplicate copy of your notebook pages with each report sheet and formal report for credit. Always use ink to record information in your notebook. Make corrections by drawing a single line through the unwanted information. NO white-out please! The following need to be included in your notebook:

1. The pages should be divided in half vertically. Outside of the lab, enter information in the left column. Record data and observations collected during the experiment in the right column. Data tables may be as wide as the page.

2. The first page of each experiment should be labeled with

1. your name
2. your partner’s name
3. the title and number of the experiment
4. the date

3. Include a purpose and list of materials under the heading

4. List the steps of the procedure in the left column. Briefly paraphrase.

5. Collect data and observations in the laboratory. Enter into either a data chart or next to the corresponding procedural step. Recording good observations is a necessary step in quality scientific experimentation. You will receive notebook points for data recorded with correct units and significant digits as well as complete observations.

6. Complete, neatly compiled data tables should be included. Often these may be copied directly from the examples given in the lab manual.

7. “In-Lab Questions” should be answered during the experiment and checked by the instructor before you leave.

8. At least one example of each mathematical calculation should be recorded in a “Calculations” section of your notebook.

9. Copies of linear regressions and other generated results may be stapled onto notebook pages.

10. Prelab notes may be included in your notebook. (#9 and #10, your choice)

C125 Reports

Reports are due on the date listed for “Due Dates” during the first fifteen minutes of class unless otherwise stated. Reports submitted after this date/time are considered LATE.

Report Sheets

Report Sheet Exercises will be the most common assignment regarding the experiments performed in this course.

1. One report is submitted for each set of lab partners. Include the name of each student who has participated in compiling the report. Each student submits a copy of his own notebook pages. (See section regarding notebook pages).

2. For your benefit, you are expected and encouraged to collaborate on the lab calculations on report sheet answers. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE IN MEETING FOR THIS PURPOSE!!

3. Answer each exercise completely. You may write neatly in ink in the spaces provided on the handout.

4. Remember to include proper units and use the correct number of significant digits.

5. All data tables, charts, and graphs should be properly labeled with titles and labels (axes and columns) and should include correct units and significant digits.

6. If a linear regression is part of your calculation, you should include a properly titled and labeled copy of the plot of the line and the regression analysis (statistics).

Formal Reports

Please note: a tutorial regarding report writing will be scheduled during your lab section one week prior to the submission of the first of the two assigned formal lab reports. The following are some general expectations regarding these reports:

1. Formal lab reports should be typed with 1.5 spacing, 1 in margins, in 12 pt font. The report should be written in third person, past tense, objective voice. All text should be in complete sentences – NO bulleted lists. Your report should be clear, concise and organized with correct grammar, spelling and punctuation.

2. The sections of the lab report include: a title page, an introduction, the experimental procedure, data including tables, figures, and balanced equations, the results and discussion sections, a brief conclusion and a bibliography.

3. Notebook pages will be collected with formal reports and should include examples of all mathematical calculations.

4. PROOFREAD!

Quizzes

There will be ten quizzes. You will be allowed to use your laboratory notebook (but NOT the Laboratory Manual), a calculator, and a Periodic Table.

Exams

The final exam will check your understanding of the specific experiments (theory and calculations) performed in C125. Questions on the exams will include calculations similar to those learned by completing C125 experiments and theoretical questions regarding the experiments and techniques mastered. The final exam will be closed book, comprehensive and the format of the questions will be multiple choice. There are sample exam equations provided in the Laboratory Manual (Anliker, et. al.) following each experiment and a sample objective exam at the end of the Laboratory Manual Appendix.