Lab Grading Guidelines
Physics 108 – Introduction to Modern Physics
Each experiment will be graded on a 40 point scale, awarded as described below
Pre-lab: 4 points, or 10% of the grade, is awarded for the pre-lab, completed correctly and turned in on time at the beginning of the scheduled lab period. Pre-lab assignments for each lab are found in Lyceum.
Lab: 36 points for the lab writeup, including purpose, procedure, data, analysis and conclusion, including appropriate attention to units, significant figures and uncertainty analysis, will be evaluated using the criteria listed in the error categories given below:
5 point category:
These occur rarely, but their effect on experimental results or the laboratory environment is serious. Thoughtful Pre-Lab and Analysis preparation (and asking questions!) will help you avoid these errors.
a) misunderstood the physics
b) serious misunderstanding or omission of requested work
c) careless or unsafe lab procedure
d) notebook turned after the day and time it is due late will lose 5 points
for each 24 hour period after the due date until it is turned in.
3 point category:
The following have a substantial negative impact on the efficiency and/or the quality of your work, or that of lab instructors and graders.
a) unprepared for lab
b) minimal time, effort; overreliance on lab partner
c) seriously disorganized notebook, hard to follow
d) poor measurement technique – uncertainty not minimized
e) missing or improper uncertainties, or uncertainty not justified (3XAP)
f) missing or inadequate sample calculations, analysis details
g) inadequate “stand alone” description of procedure or analysis
h) missing or inadequate conclusion
2 point category:
While not major problems, these detract noticeably from what should be a professional approach to laboratory work.
a) missing or inadequate purpose
b) missing or inadequate diagram(s)
c) missing or improper units, significant figures (first instance)
d) loose sheets not taped (chronologically) in notebook
e) missing, incorrect, or inadequate “stand alone” responses to questions
f) lab turned in less than 19 hours late
1 point category:
These are minor problems, but they can add up! Defend yourself by reading Modern Physics Lab – Getting Started (on the physics 108 web page on in Lyceum), and check these grading guidelines before turning in each lab.
a) missing or inadequate title
b) partner(s) not credited
c) page not dated with date of entries
d) missing or improper page number(s)
e) large blank space(s)
f) ink not used
g) obliterated information (page torn out, white-out, erasing, etc.)
h table of contents not updated
i) each instance of repeated errors in units and/or significant figures.