Instructor Information

• Instructor: Afrin Nahar Tamanna
• Department: Physics
• Room: MR409S
• Office hours: Email only
• Email: [email protected]

Course Information

• Course: PHYS 207 Laboratory: University Physics I Laboratory
• Class meetings: Laboratory sessions and recitations; dates will be announced by the instructor or department.
• Location: As assigned by the department.
• Structure: Seven experiments. Each experiment requires one lab report. Weeks when experiments are not performed are recitation sessions.

Course Overview and Goals

This course introduces students to university-level physics laboratory work. Students will learn to make measurements, record data with appropriate units and significant figures, estimate uncertainty, analyze results, and communicate experimental findings in written lab reports.

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Record and analyze experimental data using appropriate units, significant figures, tables, graphs, and calculations.
• Apply basic concepts from mechanics, including vectors, equilibrium, gravity, circular motion, momentum, oscillations, and buoyancy.
• Discuss uncertainty and possible sources of experimental error in a scientifically meaningful way.
• Prepare clear, individual lab reports that explain the purpose, method, data, calculations, questions, and conclusions of each experiment.

Required Materials

• Halliday, Resnick, and Walker, Fundamentals of Physics.
• A computer or word-processing program capable of typing equations, tables, and graphs for lab reports.

All lab instructions, report questions, and supporting materials are available through the CCNY Physics Labs website.

Teaching Approach

This course emphasizes physics laboratory work as a process of investigation rather than memorization. Mistakes, uncertainty, and unexpected results are part of experimental science. Students will learn how to use data to make scientific claims, evaluate whether results are reasonable, and communicate findings clearly.

A major emphasis of this course is lab-report writing. Through repeated writing and feedback, students will practice organizing experimental work into clear introductions, procedures, data tables, calculations, graphs, uncertainty discussions, and conclusions. Students are encouraged to ask questions, work collaboratively, and develop confidence in both scientific reasoning and technical communication.