• A written lab report will be due one week after the completion of each major class project. The lab report will be prepared by each student (not one per team).
• The lab report should be word-processed and any graphs or tables should be computer generated. Hand-written equations and hand-drawn figures will be accepted, but if you can word process your equations and draw your figures in a software package (e.g. Paint), it looks much more professional.
• The student may choose an appropriate font and report style, as long as it is professional and easy to read. The lab report will be graded for spelling, grammar, organization, and scientific content.
• A typical lab report will be 5-10 pages long, but there is no page minimum or maximum.
• Grammar hints: The lab report should be written as if you were writing a journal article about research results. Use the "past perfect" tense. For example: "Velocity was measured." instead of "We measured velocity." Avoid using contractions. Keep a professional tone, i.e. no cute stories or drama. Run a spell-checker!

Please put the following information at the top of each report:

• Your name
• Your lab partners names
• Title of lab

Please use the following sections for the body of your lab report:

Introduction: The basic concepts or laws that are being tested in the lab. This section should include both conceptual details and any mathematical formulae used in the analysis of the data.

Experiment Details: A brief drawing or word description of the lab equipment used and experiment set-up. Please include a listing of what was measured and how it was measured.

Data: A presentation of data in spreadsheet, graph, or table format. Also include answers to questions asked in the lab handout.

Results and Conclusions: This is the most important section. It should include the numerical results (with units!!!), error estimates, a discussion of sources of error, and a discussion of the results.

Programs: Include any programs written to perform the lab exercise. The programs should be cut-and-pasted into one file to save paper.

Late Lab Reports

Consult the course syllabus for your instructor's late policy.