PHY1111 Practical Physics I

2007-2008

Code: PHY1111
Title: Practical Physics I
Instructors: Dr F.Y. Ogrin
CATS credits: 10
ECTS credits: 5
Availability: Physics programmes only
Level: 1
Pre-requisites: N/A
Co-requisites: N/A
Background Assumed: AS level Physics or equivalent
Duration: Semesters I and II
Directed Study Time: 10 laboratory sessions of 3 hours, 21 hours communications skills
Private Study Time: 49 hours
Assessment Tasks Time: -
Observation report: See PHY1110

Aims

Experiment is one of the central activities of a scientist. Experimental observations form the basis for new hypotheses, and also test scientific theories. It is therefore essential that all Physicists understand the experimental method and develop the ability to make reliable measurements.

This module provides a broad foundation in experimental physics, upon which experimental work for the Stage 2 year and for projects in Stages 3 and 4 builds.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students should be able to:

Module Specific Skills

• plan and execute experimental investigations;
• apply and describe a variety of experimental techniques;
• identify, estimate, combine and quote experimental errors;

Discipline Specific Skills

• keep accurate and thorough records;
• discuss and analyse critically results of investigations, including the use of computers for data analysis;
• minimize experimental errors;
• demonstrate awareness of the importance of safety within the laboratory context and of the relevant legislation and regulations;
• identify the hazards associated with specific experimental apparatus, and comply with the safety precautions required;
• delivery of written and oral presentations (experiment write-ups, formal report, group talk);
• team work (working in pairs on experiments and in larger groups for talks);
• time management (meeting deadlines for assignments);
• use of computers (for data analysis and collection);

Personal and Key Skills

• as specificied in PHY0000 (Communications Skills Component).

Learning and Teaching Methods

Laboratory work conducted in pairs, with support from demonstrators. Three lectures, supplemented with on-line notes, on error analysis and graph plotting. Private study in writing up experiments and preparing the formal report. Group work in preparing and delivering oral presentation.

Assignments

Experiments, written up in laboratory notebooks (47%); one group oral presentation (10%); one formal report (21%); communications and key skills component PHY0000 (22%).

Assessment

Refer to the Undergraduate Handbook for details. Briefly, laboratory notebooks are marked in one-to-one discussion between the student and a demonstrator; oral presentations involve moderated peer assessment; the formal report is marked by the Stage 1 Laboratory Co-ordinator.

Syllabus Plan and Content

Students are provided with a Laboratory Manual in which the experiments for this module are summarised. There is some choice of which experiments are undertaken. Each experiment is described in detail in a 2-4 page laboratory script.

Key documents for this module can be obtained from the Stage 1 Laboratory e-learning Resources section of the School website

Note: The final section of the Stage 1 laboratory is the Communication and Key Skills training component which is held over three days following the examinations at the end of Semester-II; this exercise is described in the PHY0000 component description.

Core Text

Not applicable

Supplementary Text(s)

Not applicable

Formative Mechanisms

General supervision and assistance are available in the laboratory from the demonstrators. In addition, each demonstrator is assigned a group of about twelve students and monitors their progress, taking a pastoral role and reporting any problems to the Head of Laboratory. Feedback is given on each experiment during a 15-minute one-to-one marking session with a demonstrator.

For the formal report and oral presentation, written feedback is given by the Stage 1 Laboratory Co-ordinator to each student.

Evaluation Mechanisms

A suggestions box in the laboratory enables specific problems to be identified and remedied quickly. In addition, feedback from students on the module is gathered via the standard student representation mechanisms.