Module Information
Module Identifier
PH15720
Module Title
Laboratory Techniques for Experimental Physicists and Engineers (20 Credits)
Academic Year
2024/2025
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Pre-Requisite
A Level Physics and Mathematics or equivalent
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
Exclusive (Any Acad Year)
Reading List
Other Staff
Course Delivery
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Written Lab Diaries The students are assessed on the quality of note-taking during a set experiment. Each experiment is unique and the length of words required is different. The minimum is 200 words per experiment. | 70% |
| Semester Assessment | Written Lab Reports (2 x 1000 words each) | 30% |
| Supplementary Assessment | As determined by the Departmental Examination Board | 100% |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
Demonstrate practical competence and accuracy in carrying out experimental procedures including measurement, use of scientific instruments and recording of results.
Produce a clear written scientific report including theoretical background, experimental description, presentation and analysis of results, and interpretation and evaluation.
Identify types of uncertainties in an experiment and determine error propagation.
Demonstrate the ability to work with others in a considerate and co-operative way.
Respect and acknowledge the intellectual property of others.
Brief description
Experimentation is a fundamental part of the physical sciences process. It allows us to understand the world around us, to develop theories and to test those theories. In this module you will learn the basic techniques of performing experiments, taking measurements, accounting for uncertainty in your measurements, analysing results and comparing them with theory.
The experimental modules of the degree schemes are arranged so that students progress from following a set of detailed instructions performing simple experiments at the outset, to researching a topic and devising their own experiments and investigations in their final year projects.
This module will introduce undergraduates to laboratory practice in key areas of the physical sciences, which can be used to understand the world around us. Emphasis is placed on accuracy of note-taking. Undergraduates will be expected to keep a laboratory diary as they are conducting the experiments. In addition to the notes kept in the diary, students will be expected to write up two of the experiments as formal reports, including background research into the topics. In addition to this in second semester students will be introduced to ways of capturing and presenting data using electronic devices and computer packages.
The experimental modules of the degree schemes are arranged so that students progress from following a set of detailed instructions performing simple experiments at the outset, to researching a topic and devising their own experiments and investigations in their final year projects.
This module will introduce undergraduates to laboratory practice in key areas of the physical sciences, which can be used to understand the world around us. Emphasis is placed on accuracy of note-taking. Undergraduates will be expected to keep a laboratory diary as they are conducting the experiments. In addition to the notes kept in the diary, students will be expected to write up two of the experiments as formal reports, including background research into the topics. In addition to this in second semester students will be introduced to ways of capturing and presenting data using electronic devices and computer packages.
Content
• Basic error analysis.
• Keeping laboratory diaries and writing reports.
• The experiments are based on core topics in the physical sciences, covering key areas through practical investigation.
• Keeping laboratory diaries and writing reports.
• The experiments are based on core topics in the physical sciences, covering key areas through practical investigation.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | In essence, the physical sciences are based on the use of mathematics and experimental measurements. Application of number is a central part of this module. |
| Communication | Students will keep laboratory diaries and write reports on experiments. Students will work in pairs and small groups, discussing their experimental findings. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Each week the feedback provided for the lab diaries encourages the students to improve their note-taking. |
| Information Technology | Modern data analysis is dependent on the use of computers. In some experiments, students use a computer package to analyse data and will be expected to word process their lab reports. |
| Problem solving | Students will apply problem solving techniques in the course of experimentation and in the handling of data arising from experiments. |
| Research skills | Students will be expected to research the background to experiments. |
| Subject Specific Skills | Use of specific equipment. Performance of experiments. Writing scientific method. Analysis of experimental uncertainty. |
| Team work | Students will generally do experiments in groups of two and we would encourage co-operation in the solution of modelling problems. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 4