On Mar. 17, the Department of Physics opened the Design and Build Physics Lab created for freshmen students. The Design and Build Physics Lab, previously named the General Physics Lab I, is a student-oriented course in which students make their own experiment plans and seek results.

Previously, General Physics Lab was designed to carry out simple experiments which had already been taught. The new lab course is expected to provide a deep understanding of basic principles and to stimulate freshmen’s curiosity.

The lab remodeling was based on the students’ responses to the General Physics Demo class, which was opened in 2009. Students were highly satisfied with the demonstration classes which showed physics experiment simulations and visualized physical principles.

“Physics is the most fundamental of all sciences and therefore it is essential for freshmen to have an effective education on the concepts of basic principles,” said Professor Jeong Yoon Hee from the Department of Physics. “It will have an impact on the overall university’s fundamental science education.”

The response of students who attended the first class in the Design and Build Physics Lab was encouraging. “It looks interesting because it is a do-it-yourself type of class, but it also might be demanding to write experiment reports,” said Ju Duck-hyun (Undecided, ’10). Choi Min-kyu (IME, ’10) added, “It will be a little challenging but fun! We can do what other universities do not offer.”