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Interdisciplinary Web-Based Teaching Laboratory MaterialsWiess School of Natural Sciences |
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Brief list of program-wide teaching and learning objectives |
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The following statements define the shared objectives of the undergraduate teaching laboratories in Natural Sciences and Engineering at Rice University. Follow the links to detailed descriptions of each of these items. Your competence in each area will be assessed on the basis of a set of general standards, which you should peruse and understand. A. Basic laboratory skillsability to measure and report uncertain quantities with appropriate precision ability to convert raw data to a physically meaningful form ability to apply appropriate methods of analysis to raw data ability to carry out common laboratory procedures correctly ability to adhere to instructions on laboratory safety and to recognize hazardous situations and act appropriately ability to perform logical troubleshooting of laboratory procedures B. Communication and record keepingability to maintain an up-to-date laboratory notebook (including proper documentation of outside resources) which is of sufficient detail that others could repeat any of your experiments if necessary ability to talk about your results in a clear and concise manner ability to write effectively in appropriate style and depth ability to access relevant information from the library and other information resources C. Maturity and responsibilityability to effectively prepare in advance for laboratory work (extended, of course, to any undertaking that requires advance preparation) ability to learn from mistakes ability to take the initiative and work independently ability to work effectively as part of a team D. Contextability to understand your data and to report data effectively ability to relate laboratory work to the bigger picture, to recognize the applicability of scientific principles to real world situations, and to recognize when seemingly minor oversights can have serious consequences ability to explain the scientific method, including the concepts of hypothesis and experimental controls, and why objectivity is essential E. Integration and application of knowledge/experienceability to integrate and apply information and experience from math and science courses to current and future work ability to apply critical thinking in the laboratory ability to recognize whether results and conclusions "make sense" |
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Developed by the laboratory educators in Natural
Sciences and Engineering, Rice University 11 Jul
03 |