PHYC30320

The module is undertaken in a laboratory designed to provide an educational environment where students are exposed to experimental projects which both support and complement material which they encounter in their lecture courses. The module requires that each student attend a series of introductory sessions, complete 4 experimental mini-projects, one of which is related to the introductory material. The set up of the laboratory encourages students to actively engage with the physics content of their work. Students are given introductory sessions covering techniques they will require and are expected to attend for all timetabled hours (6 hours/week). The experiments, covering a wide range of topics, are designed in such a way that the best students are challenged, and motivated students allowed to pursue their own extensions. For the seminar, students are required to work in teams to debate a Physics topic and must write an accompanying abstract for a lay audience. Students are also introduced to risk assessment. The ethos of the laboratory is one that encourages students to ask questions and the aim is to provide a supportive environment in which students are secure enough to take full advantages of the educational opportunities on offer.