Regular attendance is an essential component of this course. Because laboratory instruction is hands‑on, equipment‑based, and time‑dependent, attendance at all scheduled laboratory sessions is required.
To receive credit for a laboratory session, students must:
Be physically present for the entire scheduled lab period, beginning at the official start time and continuing through completion of all required in‑lab activities and data collection.
Submit a completed lab report to the course LMS by the assigned deadline.
Students who arrive after data collection has begun may be asked to leave at the instructor’s discretion based on safety and instructional constraints. If space is available, they may attend another lab section during the same week; otherwise, the lab will be recorded as missed.
Active participation is required. Students are expected to contribute to the experimental work and data analysis. Students who do not actively participate may receive a reduced grade relative to their group members.
Laboratory experiments are unique, equipment-based experiences that cannot be recreated once completed. As a result, it may not be possible to provide make-up or equivalent assignments for missed laboratories.
One (1) laboratory grade will be automatically dropped during the semester for any reason. No documentation is required for this dropped lab.
All additional missed laboratories will receive a grade of zero, except as provided under Excused Absences below.
Students may attend another lab section during the same week, without penalty, by submitting the Lab Switch Form.
All lab sections perform the same experiment, in the same room, and follow the same procedures.
To minimize disruption, students are limited to three (3) lab section switches per semester, unless additional switches are authorized by the Lab Director for documented circumstances.
Students must complete the online quiz for their originally scheduled lab section, even if they attend a different lab.
Because laboratory setups are time‑dependent, once equipment has been disassembled, the original experiment cannot be replicated. For unexcused absences, this will result in a grade of zero.
After using the dropped lab, additional absences may be excused with official documentation from the Dean of Students or Student Veteran Services.
Documentation must be submitted promptly; retroactive requests may be denied.
Typically, no more than 20% of lab meetings will be excused; exceptions may be made when required by university policy.
Religious Observances
In accordance with university policy, students may be excused from laboratory sessions for religious observances, provided advance notice is given within the first three weeks of the semester.
Because laboratory activities depend on fixed equipment and coordinated scheduling, accommodations will normally be provided through:
use of the automatically dropped laboratory, or
attendance in an alternate lab section during the same week (via the lab switch process).
If neither option is feasible, students should contact the Lab Director.
Military Service and ROTC Obligations
Students must notify the Lab Director as early as possible and provide documentation through the Office of Military and Veteran Services.
Use of the dropped lab or lab switch is expected when feasible.
If additional accommodations are needed, contact the Lab Director after coordinating with Military and Veteran Services.
University‑Sponsored Activities
Consistent with §6.3.2, students participating in university‑sponsored activities must notify the instructor in advance.
Students are expected to use the dropped lab or lab‑switch policy when possible.
Other accommodations will be handled on a case-by-case basis by the Lab Director.
Medical and Emergency Absences
Student Health Services does not issue medical excuses.
Faculty do not accept doctor’s notes directly.
Documentation for medical or emergency absences must be submitted to a case manager in the Dean of Students Office.
Accommodations beyond the dropped lab require official verification from the Dean of Students and will be handled on a case-by-case basis by the Lab Director.
Laboratory attendance is critical for success in this course. Students who anticipate missing more than 20% of scheduled laboratory meetings should consult with the Lab Director and may be advised to withdraw. All determinations will be made consistently and in accordance with university policy and the constraints of the laboratory curriculum.