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DEGREE REGULATIONS & PROGRAMMES OF STUDY 2015/2016

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DRPS : Course Catalogue : School of Physics and Astronomy : Undergraduate (School of Physics and Astronomy)

Undergraduate Course: Practical Physics (PHYS08048)

Course Outline
SchoolSchool of Physics and Astronomy CollegeCollege of Science and Engineering
Credit level (Normal year taken)SCQF Level 8 (Year 2 Undergraduate) AvailabilityAvailable to all students
SCQF Credits20 ECTS Credits10
SummaryThis course is designed for pre-honours physics students. It provides an introduction to computer programming, data analysis and experimental laboratory techniques. It serves both as a preparation for further practical work in physics-based degree programmes, and as a stand-alone course for students of other disciplines, including mathematics, chemistry, geosciences, computer science and engineering. The course consists of laboratory sessions and workshops to develop understanding, familiarity and fluency.
Course description Not entered
Entry Requirements (not applicable to Visiting Students)
Pre-requisites Co-requisites Students MUST also take: Modern Physics (PHYS08045) OR Classical and Modern Physics (PHYS08044)
Prohibited Combinations Students MUST NOT also be taking Programming and Data Analysis (PHYS08049)
Other requirements None
Information for Visiting Students
Pre-requisitesNone
Course Delivery Information
Academic year 2015/16, Available to all students (SV1) Quota:  None
Course Start Full Year
Timetable Timetable
Learning and Teaching activities (Further Info) Total Hours: 200 ( Supervised Practical/Workshop/Studio Hours 33, Programme Level Learning and Teaching Hours 2, Directed Learning and Independent Learning Hours 165 )
Assessment (Further Info) Written Exam 0 %, Coursework 100 %, Practical Exam 0 %
Additional Information (Assessment) 30% Programming/Computer skills
20% Data analysis
50% Experimental laboratory
To pass the course it is required to obatin a weighted average of 40% across all the assessments AND 40% in the Experimental laboratory component.
Feedback Not entered
No Exam Information
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this course it is intended that student will be able to:
- Appreciate the relationship between experiment, theory and computation as scientific techniques
- Explain the importance of reproducibility of scientific work, and the role that laboratory notebooks and quantitative statements of confidence in results play in achieving this
- Apply standard practical techniques (e.g., routine handling of common laboratory equipment, linear least-squares fitting and writing short, procedural computer programs) as directed in a lab script to achieve a stated goal
- Present a record of an experiment or computation in an appropriate, clear and logical written form (e.g., lab report, fully documented computer code), augmented with figures and graphs where appropriate.
- Assess whether an experimental result (in conjunction with an estimated error) or output from a computer program is physically reasonable
- Locate and use additional sources of information (to include discussion with peers where appropriate) to resolve practical problems that arise in the experimental and computational physics laboratories
- Take responsibility for learning by attending laboratory sessions and workshops, and completing coursework
Reading List
None
Additional Information
Graduate Attributes and Skills Not entered
KeywordsPracPhys
Contacts
Course organiserProf Malcolm Mcmahon
Tel: (0131 6)50 5956
Email:
Course secretaryMrs Bonnie Macmillan
Tel: (0131 6)50 5905
Email:
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© Copyright 2015 The University of Edinburgh - 27 July 2015 11:52 am