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PHY3133 Physics Laboratory2007-2008Code: PHY3133Title: Physics Laboratory Instructors: Dr A. Usher CATS credits: 30 ECTS credits: 150 Availability: one-year physics (UL11) only Level: 3 Pre-requisites: N/A Co-requisites: N/A Background Assumed: Practical Physics I (PHY1110) Duration: Semesters I and II Directed Study Time: 44 laboratory sessions of 3 hours Private Study Time: 168 hours Assessment Tasks Time: - Observation report: not applicable AimsThis laboratory-based module is for students taking the One-Year Physics programme UL11. The module introduces advanced techniques and equipment, with detailed and often open-ended experiments. They complement lecture material of the second and third years. A number of experiments are not directly covered in lectures and aim to extend the student's overall vision of physics. The module aims to develop a deeper understanding of physics and a wide range of experimental skills, as well as careful record keeping, critical interpretation of data and their presentation in reports and talks. Intended Learning OutcomesStudents should be able to: Module Specific Skills
Discipline Specific Skills
Personal and Key Skills
Learning and Teaching MethodsStudents will normally work in pairs and undertake experiments, in accordance with their individual plan for the whole academic year. The experimental work commences after initial discussion with the demonstrator in charge of a particular experiment and is completed by writing a report and subsequent discussion of results. Students will be expected to participate in the 'extended' experiment exercise undertaken by students taking PHY2016 or PHY2017. AssignmentsStudy experiment-related material, write-up reports. Prepare the extended-experiment presentation. AssessmentThe balance and focus of the assessment can be adapted in consultation with the One-Physics Programmes Co-ordinator and the student's host institution) to suit the needs and background of the student, but will normally be similar to the laboratory's standard scheme, as follows: Performance in standard laboratory experiments (75%); Extended experiment: performance in laboratory (10%), formal report (10%) oral presentation (5%). Refer to the undergraduate handbook for more details. Syllabus Plan and ContentThe range of experimental topics and associated techniques are detailed in the Laboratory Manual. They include experiments in optics, electromagnetism, mechanics and nuclear physics. Some of the experiments involve computer controlled data acquisition. Before tackling the experiment students study the worksheet and necessary literature, discuss the underlying physics and plan the experiment. Experimental work commences after the student has proved to their demonstrator in the initial discussion that they have a fair grasp of the background of the experiment and knows how to undertake it. The experiment is completed by the student writing a report and the demonstrator marking the work in the final discussion with the student. The "extended" experiment is undertaken in Semester-II and is completed by writing up a report and giving an oral presentation of results to fellow students. It is intended to allow the students a more active role in deciding what and how to investigate and giving them more time for a deeper study of one particular topic. Core TextNot applicableSupplementary Text(s)Not applicableFormative MechanismsDue to the interactive relationship between the students and demonstrators in this module, feedback is continually provided at the initial discussion, during the execution of the experiment, in planning and assessing the report and during the final discussion. Marks for normal experiments are given and explained in the final discussion. The comments on the student's performance and the quality of their report are put in the individual student's card and are discussed with the students. The marks for the experimental performance in the extended experiment and oral presentation, with comments, are also available to students. Evaluation MechanismsFeedback from the students is continuously made to the demonstrating staff and the laboratory technician (again, due to the interactive relationship with the students). At the end of the year, a student questionnaire on the laboratory work is distributed, analysed and discussed with demonstrators and the technician. In addition, feedback from students on the module is gathered via the standard student representation mechanisms. |