Frequently Asked Questions

I missed a lab this week. What can I do?

We ask that you attend a different section during the week that you missed the lab. You must contact your TA and the TA for the section that you will attend as soon as possible.

Please keep in mind that we have a strict attendance policy. Missing two or more labs will result in an incomplete for the entire course.

I missed a lab and didn't make it up that week. What can I do?

Labs for Mechanics courses (121, 131 and 151) do not have a built-in make-up session. If you miss a lab and you can't make it up during the same week, there are no other opportunities to make up that work.

Other labs have a review session at the end of the semester. You can make up a missed lab at that time, but only one. You must make arrangments with your TA for this to happen.

Please keep in mind that we have a strict attendance policy. Missing two or more labs will result in an incomplete for the entire course.

Special accommodations will be considered on a case by case basis.

Can I switch sections?

We ask that you attend the section that you are officially signed up for. Switching sections permanently without doing so officially causes all sorts of problems with equipment and grades.

If you would like to officially change your lab section, you must contact Nicole Hryvniak (nicole.hryvniak@uconn.edu) at the Physics Main Office.

Can I access my data outside of my lab section?

Generally, you won't be able to do so. Our classrooms are used all day long for classes, and it is difficult to access our computers while the rooms are occupied.

Can I take my data with me?

Absolutely. You are encouraged to do so. The computers in the labs can save to floppy disk and USB key. You can also email the data to yourself from the labs. Make sure you store your data in a format that you can view at your home computer. The data acquisition software used in the labs is proprietary and you won't be able to view your data unless you export to an excel format while you're in the lab.

Can I get tutoring for my Physics course?

Yes.

If you have questions related to the labs, you should attend the office hours for your TA. She/he will know what you did in class and will be able to answer your questions most efficiently.

If you have questions about lecture, you should contact your instructor.

If you would like to guidance with homework and have specific questions, the Physics Department offers the Physics Learning Resource Center (PLRC, for short). Visit the PLRC page for information on scheduling and location.

What is considered plagiarism?

Good question, and a tricky one. Classwork is generally considered group work, and all the members of the group will receive the same grade. Lab reports are considered individual work. While your data will be identical to other group members, the narrative should be original.

Students who submit unoriginal work will receive a grade of 0% for that assignment. The procedure for notifying the Dean's Office as explained in the Student Code will be followed. If a student is found engaging in cheating during the lab fin, the student will receive a failing grade for the lab, which trasnlates into a failing grade for the course. The Dean will be notified in this case too.

For the full text of the plagiarism guidelines from the Student Code, click here.

I hate my lab. What can I do about it?

We are sorry to hear this. We encourage you to come visit us in room P216 to discuss what is being problematic and how we can go about fixing it. Please contact us with your comments and feedback, and don't wait until you can't take it anymore. Often, if we tackle the little problems that arise, we don't get the big problems.