Integration of Computing Facilities into Upper Division Physics Laboratories

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The CSULA Department of Physics has initiated a new approach to upper-division laboratory instruction by developing an integrated sequence of four courses. The key feature of this program is that the students utilize skills learned in computer interfacing and experimental methods to design and assemble the apparatus they will use for a final independent experiment on the optical properties of thin film semiconductors. Our goal is that each undergraduate develops laboratory literacy in the skills that they will need in order to be able to work independently on research projects in either industry or graduate school. This project provides equipment for a major experiment in this program. Interfacing equipment such as stepper motor controllers, IEEE and A/D converters allow students in the first two courses to determine experimental parameters and design control and acquisition programs. The spectrometer, power supplies, lock-in amplifiers and deposition rate monitor allow students in the following two courses optically to analyze thin film semiconductor samples using the data control and analysis systems determined in the first courses. A previous pilot project has indicated the potential success of this method.