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Spring 2001 Semester |
| Course ID |
Call Number |
Time |
Days |
Room |
Instructor |
| PHYS 418-001 |
12083 |
8:00 - 9:15 |
T R |
TCCW 208
STH 203 |
Dr. Harper |
Instructor Information
Course Description
This course will be a study of the applications of computers in the laboratory. Hands-on experience with data acquisition using
LabVIEW will be gained through laboratory exercises and projects.
Prerequisites
Computer Programming Experience (at least CS 240)
and two semesters of University Physics.
Required Textbook
Learning with LabVIEW by Robert H. Bishop.
There should be two versions of this text available in the
bookstores. One version is the book only. The other version is the
book plus a Student Edition of LabVIEW 6.0. This edition of LabVIEW is
nearly identical to the full development version of LabVIEW. The VIs that
you create using the Student Edition will work with the versions of LabVIEW in
the Physics Laboratory and in STH 203. It is your choice which text you
purchase. If you decide to buy the version of the text with the software
you should be sure that your computer has at least 16 MB of RAM (32 MB
preferred) and at least 75 MB of free space on your hard disk.
Optional Textbook
LabVIEW Graphical Programming: Practical Applications in
Instrumentation and Control by Gary W. Johnson.
This book is an excellent reference for scientists and
engineers who need to write LabVIEW virtual instruments. It is full of
very practical tips and techniques to help produce more powerful and efficient
VIs. It comes with a companion CD-ROM with an extensive library of VIs.
Grading Policies
Your grade for the course will be based on your performance on the
exercises, examinations, and special project according to the usual
distribution shown in Table 1 below. The weights (in percent) that
will be applied to the different components are shown in Table 2.
| Table
1 |
| Average
Score |
Grade |
| 90 - 100 |
A |
| 80 - 89 |
B |
| 70 - 79 |
C |
| 60 - 69 |
D |
| <
59 |
F |
|
| Table
2 |
| Component |
Percent |
| Exercises |
30 % |
| Exam 1 |
15 % |
| Exam 2 |
15 % |
| Project |
20 % |
| Final
Exam |
20 % |
|
General Information
-
Each student will be assigned an account with a generic username
(such as "phystudent1") on the WKU Local Area
Network. This account will provide you with up to 20 MB of
storage space for saving the VIs that you create throughout the
semester. The account will be accessible from both the
University Physics Laboratory and from the Engineering Technology
Electronic Classroom. The first time that you log in to this
account you will be required to change your password. This
storage space will be mapped to the G: drive on your PC.
-
When logged in to your WKU LAN account a directory named "dropbox"
will be present on the G: drive. You will have write privileges
on this folder but you will not be able to read what others have
placed in the dropbox. This directory will be used for turning
in programming assignments in the cases where a printed output is
not possible or desirable.
Exams
Two exams will be given during the semester. The exams will be based on material
from the lectures, from assigned readings, and from programming
assignments. They may consist of written questions as well as practical
programming exercises.
If you are unable to take an exam you may schedule a makeup
examination by requesting permission from the instructor before (except
in the case of unforeseen circumstances) the regularly-scheduled exam
period. A serious reason is required to warrant the scheduling of a
makeup exam.
The final examination will be comprehensive.
Special Project
Each student will complete a special project that will
constitute 20% of the grade for the course. More details about the
requirements for the project will be presented later.
Electronic Mailing List [phys418@physics.wku.edu]
An electronic mailing list has been set up
for students in this course. It is required hat you take a
moment and subscribe to this mailing list by visiting http://physics.wku.edu/phys418/mail.htm.
The purposes of this list are (1) to provide a forum for discussion between
students and faculty in this course that can occur outside of class, and (2) to
provide a means to make announcements regarding any changes or unforeseen
problems with assignments, duedates, etc. If you have a question regarding
any aspect of the class feel free to send the question to the mailing list by
sending an electronic mail message to phys418@physics.wku.edu.
Just remember that the message will be sent to all subscribers to the
list.
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