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PHYC30320

Academic Year 2024/2025

Advanced Laboratory for Theoretical Physics I (PHYC30320)

Subject:
Physics
College:
Science
School:
Physics
Level:
3 (Degree)
Credits:
10
Module Coordinator:
Assoc Professor Luis Leon Vintro
Credit Split by Trimester:
Autumn 5
Spring 5
Trimester:
2 Trimester duration (Aut-Spr)
Mode of Delivery:
On Campus
Internship Module:
No
How will I be graded?
Letter grades

Curricular information is subject to change.

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.

About this Module

Learning Outcomes:

Specific learning outcomes include familiarisation with a wide range of experimental equipment and techniques used in research and industry, development of programming skills applied to the interfacing of computers to scientific equipment and physical simulation, application of data analysis methods (including curve fitting and statistics) to experimental data, and the development of a capability to carry out a complete experimental project from the planning/setting-up stage to the production of a report/publication detailing the results.The practical laboratory also provides a natural environment for students to develop their transferable skills. These include time management, report writing, critical thinking, experimental planning, problem solving, oral presentation and co-operative work.

Student Effort Hours:
Student Effort Type Hours
Specified Learning Activities

93
Laboratories

132
Total

225

Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
As per module descriptor.

Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations
Learning Requirements:

The module is designed for students who have physics laboratory experience.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 

Assessment Strategy
Description Timing Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade In Module Component Repeat Offered
Report(s): Each laboratory report should be submitted after approximately three weeks. An interview will follow for each report. See https://physicslabs.ucd.ie/info/stage3/ for further report submission details. Week 10 Autumn, Week 9 Spring Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
80
 No
Participation in Learning Activities: The assessment will include all aspects of practical work, including attendance, commitment, understanding of the work that has been performed and practical skills. Week 1 Autumn, Week 2 Autumn, Week 3 Autumn, Week 4 Autumn, Week 5 Autumn, Week 6 Autumn, Week 7 Autumn, Week 8 Autumn, Week 9 Autumn, Week 1 Spring, Week 2 Spring, Week 3 Spring, Week 4 Spring, Week 5 Spring, Week 6 Spring, Week 7 Spring, Week 8 Spring, Week 9 Spring Standard conversion grade scale 40% No
20
 No

Carry forward of passed components
Yes
 

Remediation Type Remediation Timing
Repeat Within Two Trimesters
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 

Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Feedback is provided on completion of each report and oral assessment through the module. Early in the spring trimester, provisional results and feedback in general on their progress to date are available.

Name Role
Dr Nuala Caffrey Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Thomas McCormack Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor John Quinn Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor Emma Sokell Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Brian Vohnsen Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Mr Joe Branson Tutor
Mr Paul Hanratty Tutor

Timetabling information is displayed only for guidance purposes, relates to the current Academic Year only and is subject to change.
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Lecture Offering 50 Week(s) - 2 Thurs 14:00 - 15:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Laboratory Offering 50 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Thurs 14:00 - 15:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Lecture Offering 50 Week(s) - 1 Tues 14:00 - 14:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Laboratory Offering 50 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 14:00 - 16:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Laboratory Offering 50 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Tues 16:00 - 16:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Laboratory Offering 50 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 14:00 - 14:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Lecture Offering 50 Week(s) - 2 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Tutorial Offering 50 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Tutorial Offering 50 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Lecture Offering 50 Week(s) - 1 Wed 14:00 - 17:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Laboratory Offering 50 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 16:00 - 17:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Lecture Offering 51 Week(s) - 2 Thurs 14:00 - 15:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Laboratory Offering 51 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Thurs 14:00 - 15:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Laboratory Offering 51 Week(s) - Autumn: All Weeks Thurs 14:00 - 15:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Lecture Offering 51 Week(s) - 1 Tues 14:00 - 14:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Lecture Offering 51 Week(s) - 2 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Tutorial Offering 51 Week(s) - 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Tutorial Offering 51 Week(s) - 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 Wed 14:00 - 15:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Lecture Offering 51 Week(s) - 1 Wed 14:00 - 17:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Laboratory Offering 51 Week(s) - 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Wed 14:00 - 17:50
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