The Physics Skills units develop a range of skills needed by a professional physicist, including facility in conducting experiments and in analysing and reporting their results. Physics Skills 1 runs in first semester and its companion Physics Skills 2 (PHYS1019) follows in the second semester. Classes are held in the first year teaching lab and the teaching rooms in the Physics
Building (Building 46).
The first semester module PHYS1017 is a prerequisite for PHYS1019.
Having successfully completed this module you will be able to:
The course begins with a brief introduction in the first week; two weeks are dedicated to topics in Data Analysis supported by guided experimental activities.
For eight weeks, the class is divided into sub-groups which cycle through a series of experiments, each experiment exploring a particular subject. Each experiment runs over two weeks and involves preparation and exercises, experimental work, and data analysis. During the experiments a personal laboratory logbook is kept which includes a self-contained and complete record of the activity.
The final week of the course focuses on developing scientific writing skills, in which the class uses of one of their completed experiments to write a concise scientific report.
| Type | Hours |
|---|---|
| Preparation for scheduled sessions | 1.5 |
| Lecture | 3 |
| Wider reading or practice | 10 |
| Completion of assessment task | 134 |
| Follow-up work | 1.5 |
| Total study time | 150 |
I Hughes & T Hase (2010). Measurements and their Uncertainties: a practical guide to modern error analysis. OUP.
No more than 4 laboratory sessions may normally be omitted for a mark to be returned for the course.
Late Submissions: Unless explicitly approved by the Faculty Special Considerations Board late submissions are not permitted for this module.
Referral Method: There is no referral opportunity for this syllabus in same academic year.
This is how we’ll formally assess what you have learned in this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Continuous Assessment | 100% |
This is how we’ll assess you if you don’t meet the criteria to pass this module.
| Method | Percentage contribution |
|---|---|
| Set Task | 100% |
Repeat type: Internal