Theoretical Physics Lab Reports

Hey, I'm hoping to do Theoretical Physics next year, just wondering could someone explain to me what the lab reports are? I know they're reports on experiments you did or whatever; but I've just heard so many people complaining about them so I'd like to know why they have such a bad reputation!

Thanks.

PurpleFistMixer

I missed my first lab today so I haven't actually done one yet, but from what I was told last week, and from the sample one in my lab manual, they're an A3 page folded over with boxes you fill in. These boxes are things like the abstract (summary of the entire experiment), theory behind it, sketch of apparatus, method, data, data analysis, error analysis, conclusions, appendices. So sort of like a LC experiment, but... more, and better. I've also heard they're a pain to do. You only have to do 1 a week though, so I presume if you manage your time correctly, they're not too bad.

Podge_irl

They're just a bit of a pain in the hole because theoretical physicists don't like doing labs and everyone I knew always left it to the last minute to actually do the stupid things. They were also marked rather haphazardly at times. but ultimately its less then 4 A4 pages. For some reason they are just disporportionately annoying to the workload involved in them. I certainly wouldn't worry about them too much.

antiselfdual

First year lab reports consist of a set of annoying boxes as described by PurpleFistMixer, which you have to fill in... They're crap and don't teach you anything except how to fill in the same set of boxes each week as quickly as possible, but they're not too hard... Excel spreadsheets were heavily involved. Second year labs you get to write yourself (without any boxes!), it's the same sort of layout: abstract, intro, theory, method, results & analysis, conclusion. Like this. They can be kind of interesting to write if you view them as a way to learn to write scientifically and get away from using the opening line "The aim of the experiment was.. " every time...

Decerto

What do you do if you miss a lab btw?, I couldnt make it to wensdays one

Podge_irl

Unless they've changed it (which is entirely possible seeing as its been 4 years since I was a fresher) then you only have to hand in 17 reports out of 20 lab sessions - so you can afford to just miss 3 labs. You may want to just mention it to one of the demonstrators though.

PurpleFistMixer

Hm at the first lab class we had they said you just get 0 on that lab report, then. Though I think there's a case of they only grade 20 out of the 21 of them. Unless you have a valid reason (I'm bringing in a hospital note, for example), in which case they discount it and you don't lose anything. (And you don't have to do the report either.)

Though this week's lab was apparently fairly basic and not requiring a report, so presumably you don't lose anything by missing it. Except valuable knowledge.

Though I gotta wonder why you're posting when we were supposed to be at an analysis lecture. : p

HoboJesus

Re missing labs and to try and prevent somebody trying to make up for it but ultimately wasting their time: If you miss a lab, they wont accept a lab report if you try and do it anyway.

Ah this thread brings back memories of "lab report night" where myself and my friends in Halls would stay over chatting and drinking deep into the night before the labs, then suddenly all realise we're meant to do work and having a horrible horrible few frantic hours. It was amazing.