Department of Physics, Unit Catalogue 2006/07

PH10011 Laboratory & information skills 1A

Credits: 6

Level: Certificate

Semester: 1

Assessment: PR 100%

Requisites:

While taking this unit you must take PH10003 and take PH10012

Aims: The primary aims of this unit are to give the student confidence and competence in basic laboratory and information processing skills, and to introduce laboratory project work. Further aims are to encourage the application of basic principles to unfamiliar areas of physics, and to reinforce other course material through self-paced laboratory demonstrations.
Learning Outcomes:
While taking this unit the student should be able to:
* demonstrate the correct use of common laboratory equipment, such as oscilloscopes, multimeter, digital timer/counters and optical detectors;
* correctly follow written instructions for setting up and carrying out experimental demonstrations related to level 1, semester 1 physics units;
* use a scientific log book for recording details of experimental procedure, experimental results and data analysis;
* plan, design and carry out a physics project consisting of a small-scale experimental investigation;
* use computer software packages for word processing, spreadsheet and data analysis to write a formal scientific project report.
Skills:
Written Communication T/F A, Numeracy T/F A, Data Acquisition, Handling, and Analysis T/F A, Information Technology T/F A, Problem Solving T/F A, Working as part of a group T/F, Practical laboratory skills T/F A, Project planning/management T/F A.
Content:

Techniques of measurement: Examples include use of oscilloscope, light sources and detectors.
Demonstrations: Examples include statistics of radiation counting, elastic properties, spectrum of atomic hydrogen.
Electronics: Passive dc circuits on protoboard. Resonant ac circuits. Filters.
Project: An independent project to simulate the processes of researching, planning, performing, analysing and reporting a small-scale experimental investigation. The topic is chosen from a wide range of physics appropriate to first-year students, including hypothesis testing, design of apparatus, assessing published proposals and investigating novel phenomena.
PC laboratory sessions: Introduction to PCs. Windows. The use of spreadsheets, such as EXCEL, to perform statistical operations and data analysis. The use of word processors, such as WORD, to produce technical reports. The use of information technology and services for scientific purposes, including email, internet resources, library system.

University | Catalogues for 2006/07