Relationships between Undergraduate Research and the Advanced Undergraduate Teaching Laboratory
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Relationships between Undergraduate Research and the Advanced Undergraduate Teaching Laboratory Colin Inglefield Physics Department, Weber State University, 1415 Edvalson St. Dept. 2508, Ogden, UT, 84408, U.S.A. ABSTRACT I will present a model for a complementary relationship between an undergraduate research program and the undergraduate teaching laboratory in materials science. One clear example is using the teaching laboratory to prepare students to do more independent undergraduate research by emphasizing appropriate skills and knowledge, but there are several others. Undergraduate researchers can work with faculty to develop novel experiments and apparatus that can be used in the teaching laboratory. Undergraduates can gain working knowledge of common research techniques and equipment within their program. The ideas should be applicable to any institution placing a priority on undergraduate research and undergraduate education. INTRODUCTION Perhaps the most apparent link between the upper-division (meaning junior or senior) laboratory courses and research is that the former is preparatory for the latter. The skills (sample preparation, uncertainty analysis, etc.) and the practices (keeping a research notebook, working with a group, etc.) that undergraduates will need to do research are often the primary learning outcomes for the laboratory courses. However, the relationship between course(s) and research is more complicated at the undergraduate level. Undergraduates are often looking for an authentic research experience before taking any upper-division coursework. Competitive graduate programs, for example, are looking for students with multiple research experiences as undergraduates, a much easier outcome if undergraduate research starts earlier.[1] The demand for multiple, high-quality research experiences and a modern and relevant upper-division laboratory program can strain departmental resources. It is in the interest of the undergraduate program for the teaching laboratories and the undergraduate research programs to benefit each other. The upper-division laboratory program can complement undergraduate research experiences that take place before and after the course. DETAILS The upper-division laboratory course as preparation for undergraduate research At Weber State University (WSU) the materials emphasis within the physics major includes two junior/senior level course, Physics of Materials and Materials Characterization Laboratory. A major goal of the laboratory course is to prepare students for research projects both in our department and elsewhere. Students gain experience working with equipment and methods that are common in materials science, and on the same physical pieces of equipment
used for research at WSU. These experiences include Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM, including environmental modes, Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy, and Cathodoluminesncence), Atomic Force Microscopy, and Spectroscopic Techniques including Mössbauer Spectroscopy. Students are also required to work in small groups
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