By submitting this form you acknowledge that you have

• read the information provided here regarding the items required for the lab portion of your physics course

• submitted the separate Initial Materials form (immediately below this note) in order to receive materials for initial labs;  these initial materials, not the main lab materials package (for which you need to pay) will be sent to the address indicated on the Initial Materials Form

• understand that the main lab materials package obtained through the VHCC bookstore

• understand that this form is to ensure that you have the necessary information, and while items will be sent as a result of your submitting the Initial Materials Form, nothing is sent as a result of your having filled out this form

BEFORE SUBMITTING THIS FORM:  Go to the

Initial Materials Form

and provide the requested information.

Lab materials are handled by the VHCC bookstore.  You will need to order your lab materials by contacting the bookstore.  Once you have been informed that the materials are available, you can call the main VHCC number 276-739-2400 and ask for the bookstore.

The purpose of this form is to ensure that you request the correct lab kit items when you contact the VHCC bookstore. 

• You will be notified when lab materials are available. 
• You will then either call the bookstore to arrange payment, or come to the bookstore in person
• It should be obvious that you should not do so, but it's worth emphasizing: do NOT include your credit card information on this form
• If you are coming to the VHCC campus to pick up your lab kit, you should call the bookstore first to be sure the materials you need are available, and you should ask them to reserve those materials for you.

It is not unusual for students, even after reading the above, to have the impression that after submitting out this form, the lab kit will automatically be shipped.  So to repeat:

• the instructor will notify you when labs materials are available
• you will then purchase the lab materials from the bookstore

Submitting Assignment: Lab Kit Form

Your course (e.g., Phy 121, Phy 232, etc. ):

Enter your access code in the boxes below. 

Remember that it is crucial to enter your access code correctly.  As instructed, you need to copy the access code from another document rather than typing it.

If you do not yet have an access code, be sure to follow the instruction you have received to request one.  However if you do not yet have the code, you may leave this line blank.

Access Code:
Confirm Access Code:

Your Name:

Your VCCS email address.  If you do not yet have your VCCS email address, go to the page http://www.vhcc.edu/dsmith/genInfo/startup_and_orientation.htm and scroll down to Step 1 of the Orientation.  A link is provided there, from which you can obtain your VCCS email address.  This address should be available within 24 hours of your registration.

You may enter any message or comment you wish in the box below:

Lab kits and DVDs

For Physics 121, 201 and 231 students, your lab materials will be packaged in a single package along with DVD's. 

For Physics 122, 202 and 232 students, the lab materials you will require for the initial half of your course will be packaged in a single package along with DVD's.  A separate package for the second half of the course will be made available before the middle of the term. 

• Disks:  The DVD's are designed to run in your computer's CD/DVD drive, not on a DVD player.  If you don't have a DVD drive you should have access to a computer with a DVD drive, from which you could transfer the files to another memory device.  The contents of the DVD's are under 10 gB.
• When you need your materials:  You will not need your package until the beginning of the second week of classes, so don't worry if you don't have them before classes begin.  However you should pick up your package or order it by the first day or so of classes.
• Refundable and non-refundable items:  Each lab kit contains a number of non-refundable items, in addition to a package (not needed until late in the third week of the course) which if unopened contains refundable items.  If that package is opened, the items are no longer refundable.

Additional items required:

• Capacitor-generator for Physics II; multimeter and laser pointer:  If you are a Physics II student, you will later  require a generator-capacitor set, which you will probably choose to rent rather than purchase.  You will also require a laser pointer and a multimeter, either or both of which you might already have.  If not either or both may be purchased or rented from the bookstore.  Rental for the generator-capacitor set for Physics II is $25 for a 20-day rental (purchase/replacement price is around $90; bookstore has details).
• Lab interfaces and probes might be required: Physics 201, 202, 231 and 232 students may also need to rent lab interfaces and probes.  The rental cost is $25 for a 20-day rental.  (Purchase/replacement cost is around $300; if these items are to be used for your course, the bookstore will have full details).

Estimated costs: 

• Shipping vs. in-store pickup:  The bookstore does not charge a handling fee, but they do charge you their cost of packaging and shipping.  If you pick up the items in the bookstore you will not need to pay the shipping cost.  However unless you are on or near the VHCC campus, shipping costs are probably less than transportation costs to VHCC.
• Cost of lab package:  The total cost for the lab materials, not including rentals, should be under $75 for Physics II and under $60 for Physics I.  These are probably high estimates; however costs have not yet been set.  The bookstore will be able to tell you when costs have been finalized.
• Cost of lab package plus rentals:  Total lab cost for Physics I students, including rentals but not including shipping costs (and assuming rental items are returned on time), are not expected to exceed $100.  Total lab costs for Physics II students, including rentals but not including shipping costs or costs of multimeters and laser pointers (many students have access to these items; see below) are not expected to exceed $125 (again assuming rental items are returned on time).

In the box below list the number of your course (e.g., Phy 121, 122, 201, 202, 231 or 232) and the items you will need to perform the labs.

If you are a financial aid student, financial aid charges through the bookstore may be available only for the first couple of weeks of the term. 

If you wish to indicate that you are a financial aid student, or if for some other reason you need to complete all transactions with the bookstore near the beginning of the term, or if you intend to complete the course ahead of schedule, indicate this below so we can accommodate your situation.

In which physics course are you enrolled (Phy 121, Phy 122, Phy 201, Phy 202, Phy 231, Phy 232, Phy 241, Phy 242)?

As mentioned, Physics II students will require a multimeter and a laser pointer. 

• Since most students either have or can borrow these fairly common items, they are not included in lab kits or in cost estimates. 
• If you wish to purchase or rent these items from the VHCC bookstore, you should indicate this in the box below.  These items can generally be purchased locally for about $20 each (prices as of Summer 07), and can often be purchased on the Web for even less.  The purchase through the VHCC bookstore tends to run about 30% higher than the cost through local sources, though they can sometimes be cheaper so it doesn't hurt to check with them; the cost of a rental should be about 1/3 the cost of local purchase, provided rentals are returned with other materials.
• Any working laser pointer is fine--anything that produces a laser beam will work for the experiments. 
• Multimeters should have a scale that will give readings down to hundredths of a milliamp; a meter with a 2 mA scale will do but if available in the same price range, a meter with a 200 microamp scale is preferable.  Most of the least expensive meters have scales down to this level of precision, but some do not.  If you intend to purchase a meter you may also use this box to request more detailed specifications.

By submitting this form you acknowledge that you have

• read the information provided here regarding the items required for the lab portion of your physics course

• submitted the separate Initial Materials form (immediately below this note) in order to receive materials for initial labs;  these initial materials, not the main lab materials package (for which you need to pay) will be sent to the address indicated on the Initial Materials Form

• understand that the main lab materials package obtained through the VHCC bookstore

• understand that this form is to ensure that you have the necessary information, and while items will be sent as a result of your submitting the Initial Materials Form, nothing is sent as a result of your having filled out this form

Be sure you either understand the information provided here or have included questions about what you do not understand, then submit the form.

BEFORE SUBMITTING THIS FORM:  Be sure you have followed the instruction to go to the Initial Materials Form and provide the requested information.  This is your second reminder to do this.  Students frequently overlook this important instruction.

BEFORE SUBMITTING THIS FORM:  Be sure you have followed the instruction to go to the Initial Materials Form and provide the requested information.  This is your THIRD REMINDER to provide this necessary information.