PHY1028 2013-2014 - Module Description

PHY1028	IT and Electronics Skills	2013-14
	Dr F.Y. Ogrin, Prof. T. Naylor and Dr A. Usher

Delivery Weeks:	T1:01-05,07-12, T2:06-11
Level:	4 (NQF)
Credits:	15 NICATS / 7.5 ECTS
Enrolment:	94 students (approx)

Description

This module is practically based with comprehensive work sheets for each session and demonstrators available to answer any queries that may arise. Students are encouraged to work at their own speed depending on their previous experience. Students with no prior experience will need to spend more time than their more experienced counterparts outside the class sessions to complete the assignments contained in the work sheets.

Students first learn to produce high-quality typeset reports using LaTeX and a stylesheet. This is followed by an introduction to the GNU Octave numerical mathematics package. The Octave language is essentially the same as the MATLAB language which is widely used in commercial and research environments for numerical modelling. The final part introduces the basic areas of digital electronics, as they might be encountered in physics instrumentation, etc., and to provide the necessary theoretical background to carry out experimental investigations. A small amount of analogue electronics is also covered, this being included for the benefit of those students who will choose to do no further electronics modules. The skills developed in this module will be applied and developed throughout the programme.

Module Aims

Every physicist must be able to analyse data, evaluate theoretical models, and present their work in the form of a technical report. They must also be able to perform investigations, such as experiments, and solve the problems they encounter in a systematic and logical manner.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

A student who has passed this module should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
1. use a numerical language (e.g. Octave) to manipulate data and solve equations using matrix methods;
2. describe the operation of a range of digital-electronics circuits and of some basic analogue-electronics circuits;
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
1. use LaTeX and a stylesheet to produce high-quality typeset reports containing mathematical equations, tables, graphs and diagrams;
2. use appropriate techniques for measurement of circuit performance and techniques for fault-finding;
3. build and test simple electronics circuits of the type used in physics instrumentation;
Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:
1. use a computer to solve problems and produce documents;
2. solve problems logically.

Syllabus Plan

Part A: IT Skills

Introduction
1. Use of the Exeter Learning Environment.
2. The Apple Macintosh
  1. Graphical User Interface
  2. using the Mac OS X system
3. Network home directories and the file-server
  1. understanding the local file-server.
LaTex
1. Using LaTeX to create a simple document
  1. Text
  2. Equations
  3. Tables
  4. Figures
2. Using a stylesheet to produce high-quality experiment reports
3. Use of Octave with a template for plotting, linear regression analysis, statistical analysis, error bars
Octave
1. Introduction
  Range of applications, platform and implementation specific differences, relationship of Octave to MATLAB.
2. Fundamentals
  User interface, definitions, data structure, commands and functions, matrix operations, 'help' system.
3. Input/Output and analysis
  Creating files and loading data, working with data, basic plotting, saving workspace ('*.mat' files).
4. Numerical integration
  Using numerical methods for calculation of integrals
5. Fitting
  The least-squares criterion, fitting polynomial and exponential functions, 'polyfit' and 'polyval', fitting data with a linear function, extracting polynomial coefficients, plotting the fitting function, errors.
6. Programming
  Scripts and functions, creating and executing '*.m' files, basic programming: using 'for' and 'while' loops, conditional statements 'if', 3-D graphics.

Part B: Electronics

Combinational Logic
NAND and NOR gates; truth tables; combination of gates to implement logic functions.
Sequential Logic
R-S flip-flops; J-K flip flops and simple control circuits; binary counters; shift registers.
Memory chips
Input and output of data; use of addresses.
Microprocessors
Basic operation; I/O and simple control situations; D/A and A/D on input/output data bus
D to A and A to D Conversion
Operation of DAC; use of DAC to make ADC; sampling rates, conversion times, aliasing and the Nyquist Theorem
Analogue Electronics
1. Simple amplifier circuits based on op-amps; gain, bandwidth, input impedance, output impedance, signal/noise ratio.
2. Filters: description in terms of frequency response.
3. Comparators.

Learning and Teaching

Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

Description	Study time	KIS type
11×2-hour computer laboratory sessions (IT)	22 hours	SLT
12×3-hour practical laboratory sessions (electronics)	36 hours	SLT
11×2-hour IT Skills homework	22 hours	GIS
5×1-hour Electronics homework exercises	5 hours	GIS
Reading, private study and revision	65 hours	GIS

Assessment

Weight	Form	Size	When	ILOS assessed	Feedback
10%	Mid-Term IT Skills Test 1	90 mins	Week T1:09	1, 3, 6, 7	Written and verbal
10%	Mid-Term IT Skills Test 2	90 mins	Week T1:12	1, 3, 6, 7	Written and verbal
30%	11 × IT Skills assignments	2 hours in class + 2 hours homework each	Weekly T1:01-05,07-12	1, 3, 6, 7	Written and verbal
30%	Written reports on electronics experiments	Contemporaneous with experiments	Weekly T2:06-11	2, 4, 5, 7	Written and verbal
20%	Electronics problems sheets	5×1 hour	Weekly T2:06-10	2, 7	Written and verbal

Notes: Electronics homework exercises must be handed in at the start of the class in order to receive a non-zero mark.

Resources

The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of information that students are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Instructor(s).

Core text:

Storey N. (1998), Electronics: A Systems Approach (2^nd edition), Addison-Wesley, ISBN 020117796x (UL: 621.381 STO)

Supplementary texts:

Faissler W.L. (1991), Introduction to Modern Electronics, Wiley, ISBN 0-471-62242-7 (UL: 621.381 FAI)

ELE:

http://newton.ex.ac.uk/redirects/ELE/phy1028

Further Information

Prior Knowledge Requirements

Pre-requisite Modules	none
Co-requisite Modules	Waves and Optics (PHY1023)

Re-assessment

Re-assessment is not available except when required by referral or deferral.

Original form of assessment	Form of re-assessment	ILOs re-assessed	Time scale for re-assessment
N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A

Notes: Re-assessment is not available for this module.

KIS Data Summary

Learning activities and teaching methods
SLT - scheduled learning & teaching activities	58 hrs
GIS - guided independent study	92 hrs
PLS - placement/study abroad	0 hrs
Total	150 hrs

Summative assessment
Coursework	80%
Written exams	0%
Practical exams	20%
Total	100%

Miscellaneous

IoP Accreditation Checklist	XX-01 Experimental work in a practical laboratory XX-02 IT Skills
Availability	unrestricted
Distance learning	NO
Keywords	Physics; Analogue electronics; Digital electronics; LaTeX; Octave; Op-Amps.
Created	01-Oct-10
Revised	N/A