Module Information

Module Identifier

PH25520

Module Title

Experimental Physics

Academic Year

2019/2020

Co-ordinator

Dr Dave Langstaff

Semester

Semester 2

Mutually Exclusive

FG25520

Mutually Exclusive

PH35410 or FG35410

Pre-Requisite

PH15720 or FG15720; or PH15510 or FG15510

Other Staff

Course Delivery

Delivery Type	Delivery length / details
Lecture	1 x 2 Hour Lecture
Practical	44 x 2 Hour Practicals

Assessment

Assessment Type	Assessment length / details	Proportion
Semester Assessment	2 x Individual Report	60%
Semester Assessment	2 x Group Presentation	20%
Semester Assessment	2 x Group Literature Review	20%
Supplementary Assessment	Resubmit failed component	100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Research papers and articles on topics related to experimental work and present a bibiography using Endnote or similar software.
2. Plan and perform an experiment with minimal input from teaching staff.
3. Analyse data and evaluate experiments utilising laboratory and analytical skills developed earlier during the course.
4. Work in a group to communicate an experiment and results in an oral presentation.
5. Write an individual report on an experiment.

Aims

This module aims to develop the analytical and experimental skills necessary to perform advanced level physics experiments. Specifically students will develop an understanding of instrumentation, data analysis and computational modelling as well as communication and critical evaluation of the experimental results.

Brief description

Students will be required to perform two experiments over the course of the semester. For each experiment, students will work in groups of four or five and will be required to research the background to the experiment, examine the equipment available and then develop an experimental strategy and analyse the results. Each experiment will be assessed in three ways; firstly the group will produce a literature review showing evidence of independent research into topics related to the experiment, secondly the group will make a presentation of the experiment, thirdly there will be a formal experimental report written. The report will be an individual submission.

Content

The students will gain familiarity with instrumentation and data collected from ongoing experiments. This module is focused on developing the skill set necessary for experimental physics. Students will be expected to research the background to the experiments, the context of the experiments, to perform a risk assessment for the experiment and to be aware of the most recent literature related to the experiments. In contrast to the first year these experiments are more complicated and represent the bridge between part one and final year research-led projects. There are no easy solutions to the experiments - the groups must investigate, design and execute the experiments and communicate the outcomes. Students will be expected to research the background to experiments using the internet and library searches. Modelling of data and electronic control of instrumentation are a central part of this module. Physics graduates are expected to have developed problem solving skills and experimental techniques. This module focuses on developing this skill set. It is a prelude to the final year projects and will give students experience of the environment of experimental physics and problem solving. It is an essential part of the student's career development.

Module Skills

Skills Type	Skills details
Communication	Students will keep laboratory diaries and write reports on experiments. An important component is the group presentation of experimental results to an audience of their peers. These will develop oral as well as written communication skills.
Information Technology	Students will be expected to research the background to experiments using the internet and library searches. The results of the information searches will be presented in a literature review using Endnote or similar bibliographic software.
Personal Development and Career planning	Physics graduates are expected to have developed problem solving skills and experimental techniques. This module focuses on developing this skill set. It is a prelude to the final year projects and will give students experience of the environment of experimental physics and problem solving. It is an essential part of the student's career development.
Problem solving	In contrast to the first year these experiments are more complicated and represent the bridge between part one and final year research-led projects. There are no easy solutions to the experiments - the groups must investigate, design and execute the experiments and communicate the outcomes.
Research skills	Students will be expected to research the background to the experiments, the context of the experiments and to be aware of the most recent literature related to the experiments.
Subject Specific Skills	They will gain familiarity with instrumentation and data collected from ongoing experiments. This module is focused on developing the skill set necessary for experimental physics.
Team work	Students will work in groups of 4 to 5. Students are expected to research and undertake experiments with assistance from staff. The incentive is however for students to direct the experiments and perform as a team.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 5