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PHYC40970

Academic Year 2024/2025

Advanced Laboratory II (15) (PHYC40970)

Subject:
Physics
College:
Science
School:
Physics
Level:
4 (Masters)
Credits:
15
Module Coordinator:
Professor Emma Sokell
Credit Split by Trimester:
Autumn 10
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. Students will complete 6 experimental mini-projects. The set up of the laboratory encourages students to actively engage with the physics content of their work. 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. 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 can engage with experimental physics.

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 (Python) 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-upstage 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
Practical

198

Specified Learning Activities

140

Total

338


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/stage4/ for further report submission details. Week 8 Autumn, Week 1 Spring, Week 7 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 10 Autumn, Week 11 Autumn, Week 12 Autumn, Week 1 Spring, Week 2 Spring, Week 3 Spring, Week 4 Spring, Week 5 Spring, Week 6 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 reports through the module. Early in the spring trimester, provisional results and feedback in general on their progress to date are available.

Name Role
Dr Antonio Benedetto Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Dr Nuala Caffrey Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Luis Leon Vintro Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Tom McCormack Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Professor John Quinn Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
Assoc Professor Brian Vohnsen Lecturer / Co-Lecturer
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) 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 Thurs 14:00 - 17:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Lecture Offering 50 Week(s) - 2 Thurs 16:00 - 17:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Lecture Offering 50 Week(s) - 1 Tues 14:00 - 14:50
2 Trimester (Sep-May) Laboratory Offering 50 Week(s) - 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33 Tues 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 14:00 - 17:50