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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2013/2014
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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Physics and Astronomy : Undergraduate (School of Physics and Astronomy)

Undergraduate Course: Practical Physics (PHYS08048)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Physics and Astronomy CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Course typeStandard AvailabilityAvailable to all students
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) Credits20
Home subject areaUndergraduate (School of Physics and Astronomy) Other subject areaNone
Course website None Taught in Gaelic?No
Course descriptionThis course is designed for pre-honours physics students. It provides an introduction to computer programming, data analysis and experimental laboratory techniques. It serves both as a preparation for further practical work in physics-based degree programmes, and as a stand-alone course for students of other disciplines, including mathematics, chemistry, geosciences, computer science and engineering. The course consists of laboratory sessions and workshops to develop understanding, familiarity and fluency.
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Students MUST NOT also be taking Programming and Data Analysis (PHYS08049)
Other requirements None
Additional Costs None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
Displayed in Visiting Students Prospectus?No
Course Delivery Information
Delivery period: 2013/14 Full Year, Available to all students (SV1) Learn enabled:  No Quota:  None
Web Timetable Web Timetable
Course Start Date 16/09/2013
Breakdown of Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 33, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 165 )
Additional Notes
Breakdown of Assessment Methods (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
No Exam Information
Summary of Intended Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course it is intended that student will be able to:
- Appreciate the relationship between experiment, theory and computation as scientific techniques
- Explain the importance of reproducibility of scientific work, and the role that laboratory notebooks and quantitative statements of confidence in results play in achieving this
- Apply standard practical techniques (e.g., routine handling of common laboratory equipment, linear least-squares fitting and writing short, procedural computer programs) as directed in a lab script to achieve a stated goal
- Present a record of an experiment or computation in an appropriate, clear and logical written form (e.g., lab report, fully documented computer code), augmented with figures and graphs where appropriate.
- Assess whether an experimental result (in conjunction with an estimated error) or output from a computer program is physically reasonable
- Locate and use additional sources of information (to include discussion with peers where appropriate) to resolve practical problems that arise in the experimental and computational physics laboratories
- Take responsibility for learning by attending laboratory sessions and workshops, and completing coursework
Assessment Information
30% Programming/Computer skills
20% Data analysis
50% Experimental laboratory
To pass the course it is required to obatin a weighted average of 40% across all the assessments AND 40% in the Experimental laboratory component.
Special Arrangements
None
Additional Information
Academic description Not entered
Syllabus Not entered
Transferable skills Not entered
Reading list Not entered
Study Abroad Not entered
Study Pattern Not entered
KeywordsPP
Contacts
Course organiserProf Malcolm Mcmahon
Tel: (0131 6)50 5956
Email: M.I.McMahon@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMiss Jillian Bainbridge
Tel: (0131 6)50 7218
Email: J.Bainbridge@ed.ac.uk
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