THE UNIVERSITY of EDINBURGH

DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2021/2022

Information in the Degree Programme Tables may still be subject to change in response to Covid-19

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Physics and Astronomy : Undergraduate (School of Physics and Astronomy)

Undergraduate Course: Programming and Data Analysis (PHYS08049)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Physics and Astronomy CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits10 ECTS Credits5
SummaryThis course provides an introduction to computer programming and data analysis. It serves as a preparation for further study in some physics-related 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.
Course description Scientific Programming
- Introduction to python programming, basics of Linux, executing programmes
- Data types, variables and operators
- Command line and file input and output
- Conditional statements, loops and lists
- Importing and using python modules, mathematical functions, simple graphs
- Introduction to functions
- Reusable code, finding and fixing bugs

Data Analysis
- Uncertainty, accuracy and precision
- Mean value; standard deviation; error on the mean
- Using a spreadsheet for data analysis
- Combining uncertainties
- Graphs and graph plotting
- Least squares methods
- Application to a real-world problem
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites
Prohibited Combinations Students MUST NOT also be taking Practical Physics (PHYS08048) OR Experimental Physics 2 (PHYS08056)
Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
High Demand Course? Yes
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2021/22, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  None
Course Start Semester 1
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 100 ( Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 33, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 65 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) 60% Programming/Computing Skills
40% Data Analysis
Feedback Not entered
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course, the student will be able to:
  1. Present a record of a computation or data analysis in an appropriate, clear and logical written form (e.g. fully documented computer code or annotated spreadsheet), augmented with figures and graphs where appropriate
  2. Assess whether an output from data analysis or a computer program is physically reasonable
  3. Locate and use additional sources of information (to include discussion with peers where appropriate) to resolve problems that arise in the computational physics laboratories
  4. Explain the importance of reproducibility of scientific work, and the role that quantitative statements of confidence in results play in achieving this
  5. Take responsibility for learning by attending laboratory sessions and workshops, and completing coursework
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsPDA
Contacts
Course organiserProf Malcolm McMahon
Tel: (0131 6)50 5956
Email: M.I.McMahon@ed.ac.uk
Course secretaryMs Grace Wilson
Tel: (0131 6)50 5310
Email: Grace.Wilson@ed.ac.uk
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