HOW TO...

Pre-Lab Assignments are designed to assist students in transferring the conceptual knowledge they gain in the lecture to practical knowledge used in the lab.

PRE-LABS 50 PTS./POST-LABS 50 PTS.

PRE-LABS

• Must be completed before lab
• Students cannot participate in an experiment without first submitting their pre-lab
• You need your lab manual and a lab notebook to succeed in the course

PARTS OF A PRE-LAB

• Purpose (2 points)
• Equations and Units (3 points)
• Materials (5 points)
• Procedure (15 points)
• & Pre-Lab Questions (25 points)

STEPS TO A PERFECT PRE-LAB

GETTING READY

• Open your lab notebook
• Select the first clean white sheet of paper and yellow sheet of paper
• Use the divider to prevent damaging your other sheets of notebook paper
• Write your name, the name of your lab partner, date, and lab section (Tuesday or Thursday) in the space provided

STEP 1 - PURPOSE

• Turn to the appropriate experiment in your lab manual
• Read the "Purpose"
• In your own words, on the left hand side of your lab notebook page, paraphrase the purpose for the lab.
• This portion of your pre-lab is worth 2 points

STEP 2 - EQUATIONS AND UNITS

• Look for "Background Information" in the Lab Manual
• Scan for any equations to be used during the lab
• Copy these equations and list the units associated with each one.
• This portion of your pre-lab is worth 3 points

Step 3 - Materials

• Scan through the "Procedure" of the lab
• List any materials including equipment used in one column
• List any chemicals or solutions used in another column
• This portion of your pre-lab is worth 5 points

Step 4 - Procedure

• Referring to the "Procedure" information in your lab manual...
• You are to create a step by step procedure to ensure your success in the lab.
• Include ALL notes and cautions.
• You should have your steps numbered.
• You may copy verbatum or paraphrase.
• This portion of your pre-lab is worth 10 points

Step 6 - Pre-Lab Questions

• Turn past the data sheet to find the Pre-Lab Questions
• Tear this sheet out as well.
• Answer your questions with complete sentences, show all work, list proper units and answers to the appropriate significant figures.
• This portion of your lab is worth 25 points.

Last Part!
Staple all the white pages together (you keep the yellow sheets)

Questions?