Module Catalogue 2024/25

Pre Requisite Comment

N/A

Co Requisite Comment

N/A

Aims

To introduce and enhance the practical skills required for experimental physics. To develop an understanding of error propagation. To introduce the Python programming language as a tool for data presentation and analysis.

Outline Of Syllabus

Use of Python for numerical computing. Getting started, input and output, data types, plotting and simple calculations, control statements, functions, random variables.
• Practical experience with concepts presented in lectures
• Physical measurement equipment
• Presentation of data and results in a clear and logical manner
• Analysis of data
• Error propagation

Intended Knowledge Outcomes

An awareness of good laboratory practice, in terms of experimental conduct, error analysis and report writing.

Students shall become familiar with error propagation and the importance of recognising and minimizing experimental errors. An awareness of the importance of good lab book keeping and comprehensible note keeping.

Intended Skill Outcomes

Competence and familiarity with Python as a package, and to a limited extent, programming environments.

Competent use of Python and Latex (or other DTP software) for the effective presentation of experimental outcomes.

A range of instrumental operation skills, including oscilloscopes, multimeters, lasers and image processing. Students will gain entry level programming skills, effective group working and data and error analysis. They will become experienced in structured report writing, using a template, appropriate referencing and working within page limits.

Students will develop skills across the cognitive domain (Bloom's taxonomy, 2001 revised edition): remember, understand, apply, analyse, evaluate and create.

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Information is provided through the use of laboratory sheets and lecture based instruction for key principles. Students self learn through the practical exercises to achieve the specific learning outcomes for that activity. Peer learning and group work is an important contributor during the practical lab sessions to achieving the intended learning outcomes. The computing sessions provide the opportunity for students to understand the syntax and structure of computer code to enable this to support their studies in the future.

The teaching methods are appropriate to allow students to develop a wide range of skills, from understanding basic concepts to higher-order thinking.

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

The laboratory session provides the opportunity for the student to demonstrate their understanding of laboratory physics. A portion of the lab report mark goes to good record keeping and preparation for the experiment. Lab write-ups test the student’s understanding of the results, their ability to communicate their results and their skills with the introduced programming languages.

The lab book is a live document marked throughout the academic year. The assessment is for content developed during the timetabled laboratory sessions and explores accurate analysis and elements of record keeping.

For IOP accreditation students must develop appropriate experimental skills through undertaking a variety of experiments covering the breadth of the subject and, where relevant, reflecting degree specialisms.

Students gain experience in using a variety of apparatus, acquiring robust data and identifying sources of error and uncertainty, processing, interpreting and analysing data, and presenting experimental results

General Notes

N/A