Pre-labs are due at the beginning of the weekly laboratory sessions. All work should be done neatly, and must be dated appropriately. The prelab will be stapled in your lab notebooks. Each prelab should require about 30 minutes of work.
The purpose of the prelab is to solidify in your mind the goals for the week's laboratory work and clarify any questions in the steps that you are suppose to follow. This will help the laboratory run more efficiently and safely. Prelab writeup accounts for 20% of your lab report and notebook grade.
There are three (3) components to the prelabs:
1. The madness behind the method. Reference the laboratory handout procedure and include it in your submission. Catalogue the reasons for each step in the procedure, i.e., each solution used, each baking step, etc. If you have described the reason for a step in a previous prelab, you may reference that description rather than retyping it each time. If you do not know why a certain step is performed, note the fact that you do not know, find out from the T.A. or Professor during the lab session, and include it with your Lab Report.
2. Diagram your wafer. Draw a sequence of schematic diagrams that show how your wafer will change throughout the procedure.
3. Additional work. Complete any additonal prelab assignments/problems given on the lab procedures handout.
All laboratory reports are kept in the laboratory notebook. Record in your notebook the details of the experiments that you are conducting and keep it neat. Note in particular any deviations from normal procedures (as given to you). LABORATORY NOTEBOOKS STAY IN THE LAB! If you need information to help you do any postlab assignment please copy your lab pages BUT please return the lab notebooks to the lab before the end of the lab session. Laboratory report accounts for 50% of your lab report and notebook grade.
There are three (3) components to the laboratory report:
1. Procedure. Note any changes made to the procedure and the reasons they were made. Also, note any problems or mistakes you encounter.
2. Observations. Include all relevant results from the lab work.
3. Discussion. Include the analysis of your results and any important sources of error.
Post-laboratory assignment and writeup is due at the beginning of the following week’s laboratory session. All work should be done neatly, and should be dated appropriately. Submitted post-laboratory writeup will be graded and stapled into your lab notebooks. Post-laboratory writeup accounts for 30% of your lab report and notebook grade.
This document was adapted by AGA from one drafted by Teaching Assistant Mike Erickson in 1998.