This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.

Undergraduate Handbook 2010-2011 (archived)

Module PHYS3601: LABORATORY PROJECT

Department: Physics

PHYS3601: LABORATORY PROJECT

Type	Level	Credits	Availability	Module Cap	Location
Open	3	20	Available in 2010/2011	None.	Durham

Pre-requisites

Laboratory Skills and Practice (PHYS2551).

Corequisites

None.

Excluded Combinations

Mathematics Workshop (PHYS3591).

Aims

This module is designed primarily for students studying Department of Physics or Natural Sciences degree programmes.
It builds on the Level 2 module Laboratory Skills and Practice (PHYS2551) and allows students to undergo an extended laboratory project at an advanced level.

Content

During the module, students will plan and execute an extended laboratory project at an advanced level in either astrophysics, modern optics, nuclear physics or condensed matter physics.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge

Subject-specific Skills

Having studied this module students will have the skills to plan and carry out an extended laboratory project at an advanced level.
They will have demonstrated knowledge of scientific background and theoretical considerations.
They will have demonstrated the ability to describe experimental details and procedures and to apply appropriate data analysis techniques.
They will have demonstrated the ability to produce a clear, detailed scientific report with appropriate presentation.
They will have shown the ability to demonstrate good experimental practice.

Key Skills

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

Teaching will be by practical sessions in either the Michaelmas or Epiphany Term.
The practical sessions are individual or small group extended experimental projects.
Students will be able to obtain help and guidance from the laboratory scripts and through discussions with laboratory demonstrators.
Student performance is summatively assessed through technical performance in the laboratory and through a formal report on the project.
The practical classes and laboratory assessment provide opportunity for feedback, for students to gauge their progress and for staff to monitor progress throughout the duration of the module.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity	Number	Frequency	Duration	Total Hours	Attendance Monitored
Briefing	1		0.5 hours	0.50	Yes
Practicals	24	3 per week	3 hours	72	Yes
Preparation and Reading				127.50
Total				200

Summative Assessment

Component	Component Weighting	Element	Length/Duration	Element Weighting	Resit Opportunity
Project	100%	Final report and laboratory performance		100%

Formative Assessment

One progress report.

Students who do not attend monitored activities shown under Teaching Methods and Learning Hours, or who fail to complete the summative or formative assessment(s) specified above, may be subject to the Academic Progress procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University.