Introductory Physics Laboratory

Welcome to the Introductory Physics Laboratory

The Introductory Physics Laboratory offers undergraduate students hands-on experience in physics through lab courses such as PHYS 102A, 103A, 111A, 202A, 203A, and 231A. Each lab course lasts approximately 2 hours and takes place on the fourth floor of Tiernan Hall (rooms 406 to 409). In these labs, you will conduct experiments, gather and analyze data, and write lab reports to deepen your understanding of the theories covered in your corresponding physics courses. To prepare, it is recommended that you read the lab manual before attending class, which can be purchased from the NJIT Bookstore. Additionally, bring a calculator, a pencil, and a USB flash drive for storing experimental data. During the first class, your Teaching Assistant (TA) will provide an overview of the course, including the experiment schedule, grading policy, safety protocols, and lab report guidelines.

Over the course of the semester, there will be a total of 13 lab experiments. Students will work in groups of approximately four but must submit their own individual lab reports to the instructor one week after completing each experiment. Each report should reflect your own work—copying from lab partners or external sources is not allowed. There are no exams in the lab course; your grade (A through D or F) is based on attendance, participation, and the quality of your lab reports. Please review the general grading policy for physics labs. Missing three or more lab sessions will likely result in a failing grade.

If you miss or anticipate missing a lab session for a valid reason, you may arrange to attend a make-up session in another section of the same lab course. To do this, obtain approval from both your TA and a physics lab staff member. For absences due to serious illness or other unavoidable circumstances, appropriate documentation must be presented to the Dean of Students Office.