Developing a Lab Course

I was given the opportunity to help develop the laboratory component of EEL3472C - EE Science II - Electromagnetics - a 4-credit hour fundamental course. This was my experience with course development and it was a very enriching one. Each laboratory experiment consisted of a laboratory summary reading exercise, pre-laboratory assignment, the laboratory itself and post-lab reports. My approach for developing each of these components is given below.

  • Laboratory Summary:

The laboratory summary is a reading assignment to be completed before coming to the lab. When creating lab summaries, I tried to introduce the experiment in terms of a broader context - why is the experiment important, where do you find applications of such experiments, etc. I then elaborated on the specifics of the experiment - the objective, what equipment/material will be used etc. A lab summary that I developed for Lab 9 - Wave Polarization is given here.


  • Pre-Laboratory Assignment:

These assignments were numerical problems based on the laboratory. Sometimes, the pre-laboratory assignment included design of components that students would build and measure in the lab. A sample pre-laboratory assignment I developed for Lab 7 - RLC Circuits and Build and Inductor is given here. My pre-lab assignments often include hints to help students arrive at the answer and understand the material better.

Images from the laboratory experiments

  • The Laboratory Experience and Manuals:

I prepared laboratory manuals to be as clear and detailed as possible. They were written such that students would be able to complete the lab on their own. Observation check points in the lab manuals guide students to reflect upon their measurements and results to maximize their learning. An example laboratory experience (Lab 5 -RC Circuits and Time Constant) can be found here. I spend about 10 mins at the start of the lab explaining concepts and the experiment to students. Material for this mini-lecture is written on a white board in the lab before-hand and students are encouraged to take pictures of the board for reference. This practice of prewritten white-board material ensures that all lab sections receive the same information.


  • Assessment and Grading:

Students are required to write a one-page lab report at the end of the lab. Instructions for the lab report are provided at the start of the semester and students are encouraged to write about what they learned as opposed to what they did during the lab. I consider student feedback to be very valuable and therefore students are also requested to provide suggestion on improving the lab as part of their lab report.