Laboratory exercises for an introductory physics course: Putting the experiment back in the lab

Colgate University has responded to student criticism by launching a long-term campaign to restructure and revitalize the introductory physics curriculum. the new introductory sequence is three semesters long, and begins with a one semester noncalculus study of modern physics organized about the theme: “Why do we believe in atoms? How do we know?” The second semester is organized about an astrophysical theme: “Where are we in the Universe? How do we know?” To support the second-semester astrophysical theme, four new laboratories have been developed. The laboratory design is described in some detail