This is an archived handbook for a previous year. The current undergraduate and postgraduate handbooks can be viewed using the links above.
Undergraduate Handbook 2025-2026 (archived)
Module PHYS3601: Advanced Laboratory
Department: Physics
PHYS3601: Advanced Laboratory
| Type | Level | Credits | Availability | Module Cap | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Open | 3 | 20 | Available in 2025/2026 | 96 | Durham |
Pre-requisites
- Laboratory Skills and Electronics (PHYS2641).
Corequisites
- None.
Excluded Combinations
- None.
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 Electronics (PHYS2641) and allows students to undergo an extended experiment-based project at an advanced level.
Content
- During the module, students will plan and execute an extended experiment-based project at an advanced level in either astrophysics, modern optics, high energy 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 experiment-based 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 and lay summary.
- They will have shown an understanding of 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 a mixture of independent project work and formal supervision.
- The format is individual or small group extended experiment-based projects.
- Students will be able to obtain help and guidance from the laboratory scripts and through discussions with laboratory demonstrators and leaders.
- Students are expected to keep an electronic laboratory notebook, including a formal project plan.
- Student performance is summatively assessed through technical performance during the project and through a formal report on the project.
- The supervisory arrangements, formative assessment and electronic notebooks 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 | 3 hours | 3 | Yes | |
| Practicals | 24 | 3 per week | 3 hours | 72 | Yes |
| Preparation and Reading | 125 | ||||
| Total | 200 | ||||
Summative Assessment
| Component | Component Weighting | Element | Length/Duration | Element Weighting | Resit Opportunity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Project | 100% | Final report and laboratory performance | 100% |
Formative Assessment
Project plan.
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.