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Module Specifications.

Current Academic Year 2024 - 2025

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Date posted: September 2024

Module Title Numerical Methods Laboratory
Module Code PS358 (ITS) / PHY1055 (Banner)
Faculty Science & Health School Physical Sciences
Module Co-ordinatorOisin Creaner
Module TeachersAlbert Ellingboe, Karsten Fleischer
NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 7.5
Pre-requisite Not Available
Co-requisite Not Available
Compatibles Not Available
Incompatibles Not Available
Repeat the module
Array
Description

To introduce the student to advanced experimental and numerical techniques in the areas of Optics, Solid State Physics, Instrumentation, Process Control, but also chemistry, biology and for societal problems To enhance the students understanding of concepts presented in lectures. To provide the student with training in; good laboratory and coding practice; data and error analysis; data presentation and report writing.

Learning Outcomes

1. Carry out advanced level physics experiments.
2. Write an advanced computer program, in an appropriate computer language, to simulate/model/demonstrate a physics concept.
3. Identify the connection between experiment and theory and apply advanced theoretical physics concepts to the analysis of experimental data.
4. Record data in a systematic manner and maintain a laboratory notebook.
5. Produce a detailed written report, including correctly formatted tables, graphs and diagrams
6. Perform a detailed and comprehensive error analysis of experimental data.
7. Students will be aware of ethical issues with regard to plagiarism
8. Present results from computational and laboratory experiments



Workload Full-time hours per semester
Type Hours Description
Online activity20Carrying out virtualized experiments
Laboratory20Carrying out in-presence real experiments
Online activity30Writing of python programs for the computational experiments. Either in the computer lab in DCU or online from home.
Tutorial5Tutorial sessions to address computational difficulties students might face (in person but with live streaming/remote support)
Online activity15Collaborative coding on the computational project, either in small groups in the lab or fully online (student choice!)
Online activity20Preparing for experiments, pre-lab presentations and going through accompanying &quot;lecture&quot; material
Independent Study70Write-up of reports
Assignment Completion7.5Create and present the poster on one experiment (of any form) of choice
Total Workload: 187.5

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Computational Experiments
The student carries out five computational experiments. Three are common with other cohorts: using the Euler, Runge Kutta, and graphical methods to solve differential equations numerically. Two are specific to this module and are selected from the following list: Principal Component Analysis (PCA), comparison of advanced data analysis techniques, Monte Carlo simulations, virtual experiments, chaotic systems modelling.

Experimental Laboratory
The student will carry out two real experimental projects some (10 hours each) The experimental projects will be selected from the following list: The Zeeman Effect, Birefringence/Transmission, Blackbody Radiation, Michelson and Mach Zhender Interferometer, The lock-in Amplifier, Optoelectronic Detectors, Shockley-Haynes effect, Magnetic damping.

Computational group project
The students employ numerical methods to explore a physical, chemical, or biological system governed by differential equations. These are small group (2-3 students) projects. Examples are the solar dynamo, Paul trap, Brusselator reaction, the heart beat, but also topical projects such as spread of an infection.

Accompanying lecture material
The lab is accompanied with online teaching material on important issues of laboratory and data analysis in general. This includes error progression, evaluation of correlation and uncertainties of least square fitting, as well as material on numerical modelling, software design and development, and use of version control systems.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment100% Examination Weight0%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
PresentationBrief 10min pre-lab presentations for real life labs to demonstrate preparedness for the more complex experiments in term of underlying theory, experimental techniques employed10%As required
Presentation15min presentation of an experiment of choice (virtual, or real lab experiment) to other students, illustrating the theory behind an experiment and main outcomes and uncertainties encountered.5%As required
Report(s)Provide reports on the experiments (computational, virtual or real) including the theoretical background, results and findings, as well as error discussion60%As required
Poster presentation Present a poster on a selected computational, real or virtualised experiment5%Sem 1 End
Completion of online activityOnline MCQs on accompanying material (error progression, fitting, experimental methods)20%n/a
Indicative Reading List

    Other Resources

    None

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