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PHY1108 IT Skills for Physicists2007-2008Code: PHY1108Title: IT Skills for Physicists Instructors: Dr F.Y. Ogrin CATS credits: 10 ECTS credits: 5 Availability: unrestricted Level: 1 Pre-requisites: N/A Co-requisites: N/A Background Assumed: N/A Duration: Semester I Directed Study Time: 11 practical sessions of 2 hours Private Study Time: 78 hours Assessment Tasks Time: - Observation report: awaiting notification AimsAll students require some information technology (IT) skills, e.g. e-mail and use of the Internet. It is now a basic life-skill. Physicists require computer literacy to enable them to write technical reports which include technical drawings and equations, to analyse experimental data, and to use computers for problem solving. In addition, physicists in the workplace need to be able to use modelling packages, to access and manipulate the information available in databases and also to make full use of the Internet. The second half of this module introduces the Student to the powerful and widely-used MATLAB package. The skills developed in this section will be applied and developed further in other modules. Intended Learning OutcomesStudents will be able to:
Transferable SkillsIT skills, self-study, problem solving, time management, information retrieval, communication skills. Learning and Teaching MethodsThe module is practically based. Comprehensive work sheets have been produced for each session and demonstrators are present to answer any queries that may arise during the organised sessions. Students are encouraged to work at their own speed depending on their previous computer experience. This means that students with next to no computer experience will require to spend more time than their more experienced counterparts outside the class sessions to complete the assignments contained in the work sheets. The students' assignments are marked during the sessions by the demonstrators who are there to discuss with individual students any questions that arise from the marking exercise. AssignmentsWorksheets to be completed at a rate of approximately one per week. AssessmentClass and home assignments (60% ) and two class tests (40% ) Syllabus Plan and ContentPart A: Generic Applications
Part B: MATLAB
Core TextNot applicableSupplementary Text(s)Not applicableFormative MechanismsFeedback occurs during the practical session via demonstrators and students are able to monitor their own learning by attempting the assignments and having them marked. Two Continuous Assessment tests allow students to gauge their level of progress. Evaluation MechanismsThe module will be evaluated using information gathered via the student representation mechanisms, the staff peer appraisal scheme, and measures of student attainment based on summative assessment. |