This project creates and enhances experiments which provide the students with hands-on experience associated with modern data acquisition and signal analysis techniques. A comprehensive plan is being implemented that provides a framework for the long-term development and enhancement of these labs. Also included in this plan are curriculum and administrative improvements which effect a greater coordination between the lecture and laboratory courses. The current strategy is to attain the goals of significantly increasing individualized hands-on student involvement in experimental procedures, data acquisition and signal analysis without resorting to the construction of multiple facility replications. The project employs hand-held Fluke Scopemeters and Portable NeXT computers to achieve, inexpensive, and novel means to accomplish these goals by putting each two person lab group in complete control of the data acquisition and signal analysis aspects of a number of existing experiments, as well as a few new experiments currently being built. Furthermore, the equipment provides a foundation for long term laboratory development, expansion, and enhancement. The equipment utilization described herein represents an economical and educationally valuable means of extracting maximum use out of a limited number of experimental facilities.
