Modernization of Experimental Physics Course

物理学与天文学系正在为高水平的本科物理专业学生提升实验物理经验。该项目具体涉及购置设备，以提高物理专业学生的高级实验室课程。这两个学期的课程名为实验物理I II。为了教授这门课程，正在对实验室进行翻修。现代化的具体目标如下：（1）学习实验技术和使用物理研究实验室使用的现代仪器;（2）了解物理学家常用的数据处理和误差分析的标准技术;（3）发展用于获取和分析大量数据的计算机技术;（4）学习设计实验研究项目的适当技术;（5）学习展示科学成果的适当方法;（6）独立设计，进行，分析和展示选定的物理实验;（7）体验物理实验基础。预计霍华德大学的现代化也将有助于其他HBCU的类似步骤。 该项目的重点是电磁辐射及其相互作用和用途。实验是，（a）微波频率下的介电常数测量，（ii）全息图的构建，（iii）法拉第效应，（iv）光谱学，和（v）康普顿效应。

The Department of Physics and Astronomy is upgrading the experimental physics experiences for upper level undergraduate physics majors. This project specifically involves the acquisition of equipment for improving an upper level laboratory courses taken by physics majors. This two semester course is entitled Experimental Physics I & II. Laboratory space is being renovated for teaching this course. Specific objectives of the modernization are as follows: (1) To learn experimental techniques and the use of modern instruments employed in physics research laboratories, (2) to develop an understanding of standard techniques of data reduction and error analysis commonly used by physicists; (3) to develop computer techniques that are useful for the acquisition and analysis of large quantities of data; (4) to learn proper techniques that are useful for designing experimental research projects; (5) to learn proper methods for presentation of scientific results; and (6) to independently design, conduct, analyze and present selected experiments in physics and (7) to experience the experimental basis of physics. It is expected that this modernization at Howard University will help similar steps at other HBCUs also. This project concentrates on E-M radiation, its interactions and uses. The experiments are, (a) Dielectric constant measurement at microwave frequencies, (ii) Hologram construction, (iii) Faraday effect, (iv) Optical spectroscopy, and (v) Compton effect.