FAQs

A few questions that have been asked:

1. Is this material too complicated for freshmen?

   That is a good question. We have found that there is much for students to learn, all at once: loggerpro, ImageJ, stats, image analysis. This might be a bit much for any student, and so we try to spread the learning out over the entire semester. For example, Imagej analysis of videos of beads caught in a laser trap can be used as an exercise in the first week of class on measurement, and error. Other than that, there are elements that are simpler than others. The diffusion experiments can be done by freshman, the simple ideas about counting and statistics are also approachable by them.

   As an example, take a look at the sample class plan for BISC 183. In this class, we taught a 2-week module to students who are mostly freshman life-science majors.

2. Is logger pro necessary for these labs?

   Logger pro is convenient but not neccessary. We do use the object tracking feature of logger pro for other experiments in our course (tracking paramecium trajectories), however for brownian motion, the movements are too small and manual tracking is tedious. For the experiments described here, a number of freeware video capture programs, listed in the materials section work quite well.

3. Have you found an inexpensive frame grabber for the mac?

   No, for the mac, we are experimenting with using a USB camera. Then macam can be used to interface.

4. Have you tried proscope or the QX5?

   Not the proscope, but we did try the QX5, which has a light source insufficient at high magnifications. We find that the light source and optics of a conventional microscope produces clear images with a camera added to the eye-piece tube.

5. Do you have as many typos in your class notes as on your webpage?

   Often I do.