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Module

PHY1030 : Laboratory Physics 1

  • Offered for Year: 2023/24
  • Module Leader(s): Professor Noel Healy
  • Lecturer: Dr Elisabetta Arca, Dr Angela Dyson
  • Owning School: Mathematics, Statistics and Physics
  • Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus
  • Capacity limit: 60 student places
Semesters

Your programme is made up of credits, the total differs on programme to programme.

Semester 1 Credit Value: 10
Semester 2 Credit Value: 10
ECTS Credits: 10.0
European Credit Transfer System

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

Teaching Methods

Teaching Activities
Category Activity Number Length Student Hours Comment
Guided Independent StudyAssessment preparation and completion801:0080:00Preparation of in course assessments
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture61:006:00Computing Lecture
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesLecture31:003:00Formal Lecture Errors
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical123:0036:00Laboratory
Scheduled Learning And Teaching ActivitiesPractical62:0012:00Computing Practical
Guided Independent StudyIndependent study631:0063:00Preparation time for lectures, background reading, coursework review
Total200:00
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 Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Other Assessment
Description Semester When Set Percentage Comment
Computer assessment1M25ICA
Portfolio2M20MUST PASS (40%) Lab book
Practical/lab report2M25Write-up of a completed experiment as a formal report
Practical/lab report2M25Write-up of a completed experiment as a formal report
Computer assessment1M5Problem solving exercises on errors and uncertainties
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

Reading Lists

Timetable