Module: Physics Laboratory V

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Physics Laboratory V
Module Code	PHY1054 (ITS: PS351)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Physical Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	7.5

Description

To introduce the student to advanced experimental techniques in the areas of Optics, Solid State Physics, Instrumentation, Process Control, and Computational Physics. To enhance the students understanding of concepts presented in lectures. To provide the student with training in; good laboratory practice; data 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

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Laboratory	70	Scheduled laboratory time
Independent Study	107.5	Preparation for labs, data analysis and report writing
Class Presentation	10	Pre-lab presentations and Experimental presentations
Total Workload: 187.5

Section Breakdown
CRN	11374	Part of Term	Semester 1
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC2	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Karsten Fleischer	Module Teacher	Albert Ellingboe

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Report(s)	CP1: Report on Euler and Runge Kutta Method	13%	Week 4
Report(s)	CP2: Report on graphical methods to solve ODEs	9%	Week 5
Group project	CP3: Report on physics problem solved by numerical modelling using ODEs	18%	Week 7
Report(s)	Four Laboratory Reports on experiments carried out in Week 7-11	35%	As required
Presentation	Presentation of experimental or computational results from one of the experiments or CP3	9%	Week 12
Presentation	Pre-Lab practice presentation for each experimental lab (4 over Week 7-11)	6%	As required
Completion of online activity	Online training material on git, how to conduct computational experiments and python modules for error propagation	10%	As required

Reassessment Requirement Type
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; RC1: A resit is available for both^* components of the module. RC2: No resit is available for a 100% coursework module. RC3: No resit is available for the coursework component where there is a coursework and summative examination element. ^* ‘Both’ is used in the context of the module having a coursework/summative examination split; where the module is 100% coursework, there will also be a resit of the assessment

Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

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

Experimental Laboratory
The student will carry out four experimental projects (6 hours each): The experimental projects will be selected from the following list: The Zeeman Effect, Birefringence of Mica, Photon Counting/Photon Statistics, Blackbody Radiation, Michelson and Mach Zhender Interferometer, The Haynes Shockley Effect, Electron Spin Resonance/Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, The lock-in Amplifier, Optoelectronic Detectors, Magnetic damping, Molecular Spectroscopy, Plasma, Rutherford scattering, Thomson Effect, Radiation types.

Computational Project
There are complimentary computational preparation work and experiments to learn how to model physical effects numerically via ordinary differential equations, as well as an introduction to git for code sharing and python modules on error propagation. The student will carry out a two week computational simulation project in groups covering any the topics of: Spread of a disease, Oscillating chemical reactions, The solar dynamo, The quadrupolar ion trap.

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:
None

Other Resources

None

Updated description of all experiments as well as CA timing and scope