Science for non-majors offers an important chance to reach out to students outside the sciences, and try to give them some appreciation for the scientific process.  The benefits of analytical thinking learned from this process reach far beyond the realm of scientific inquiry.  A term project will allow each student to personally experience the scientific process.   

 The project will be in the form of an actual experiment involving measurements of two variables.  Pure research papers are unacceptable.  Your lab instructor will give you specific guidance on selecting a topic and must approve the topic.

 Projects should follow the scientific method

1. Make a hypothesis based on research;

2. Develop and describe an experimental procedure;

3. Perform the experiment with measurements;

4. Analyze the data and draw conclusions with regard to your hypothesis

 Part A- Preliminary Draft

A preliminary draft of the project will be due at the lab during the week of Oct 23, 2006..  This typed draft will include the first two elements of the scientific method:  1) make a hypothesis and 2) develop and describe the experimental procedure.

 Section One:  Hypothesis and Summary of Research

This section will include a summary of the background research as well as the scientific relevance of the planned experiment.   You will use this information to state the objective of your project in the form of a hypothesis.  The hypothesis should relate to the information that you discovered in the reference materials.

 Section Two:  Procedure

This section will describe the method and equipment of the planned experiment.  The focus here will be on consistency and validity.  You will be manipulating variables and measuring the consequent results.   Thus, your primary concern should be the restriction of outside effects.  When writing your procedure, detail should be placed on reproducibility.  The reader should be able to repeat your experiment based solely on your description.

 References

Don’t forget your reference section.  At least two references must be provided to support your preliminary research. References usually cover the theory behind your project topic, applications of the science,  or describe what others have found when conducting a similar experiment.

 The preliminary draft will be returned with instructor comments  during the week of  Nov. 6  The remaining elements of the scientific method will be included in the final project.  All revisions must be included in the term project report. Do not conduct the experiment until you have received written approval from your instructor.

                         Part B- Term Project Report

The term project report is due at the lab during the week of Dec. 4, 2006  This report will include a revision of the preliminary draft as well as the last two elements of the scientific process.

 Section Three:  Data

This section will present all data from the experiment.  Charts and graphs should be correctly labeled and titled.  Units are a necessity.  All explanation of the data should be in paragraph form (no bullets) with references to specific graphs and charts.

 Section Four:  Conclusions

This final section will provide an argument, based on your data, supporting or denying your original hypothesis.  This argument should also include comments on data accuracy and experimental error.

Format of Term Project Report

All reports must be typed and should be 5-10 pages in length including charts and graphs. 

Remember to use procedures learned in class:  multiple measurements, averages, metric units, graphs and charts.

 Part C- Oral Presentation

The term project will be presented at the lab during the week of Dec. 4, 2006.  This presentation will entail a 2 minute summary of the hypothesis, experimental procedure, the resultant data, and conclusions.  Acceptable mediums shall include but not be limited to poster boards, transparencies and PowerPoint. 

Use of VCU Equipment

With prior notification, your lab instructor can allow you to use VCU measuring equipment and lab space to conduct your experiment. Notify your instructor well in advance of your needs. No lab equipment can be removed from the building.