Module: Physics Laboratory III

Latest Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2025 - 2026

Module Title	Physics Laboratory III
Module Code	PHY1092 (ITS: PS359)
Faculty	Science & Health	School	Physical Sciences
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5

Description

To enhance your practical skills in performing experiments with a focus on advanced physics concepts. To conduct an extended experimental investigation, student will select a scientific topic/area of interest and investigate it fully.To develop student scientific and experimental skills,e.g. laboratory techniques, recording observations and inferences, data analysis and synthesis, and communicating and presenting findings.

Learning Outcomes

1. 1E49726C-7F8E-0001-52FE-120F1C9FE9C0
2. Demonstrate a knowledge and understanding of advanced physics topics
4. 7,6
5. 1
6. 1E49726C-8760-0001-10FD-21101AE04F90
7. Develop and implement laboratory experiments to address a research question
9. 7,8
10. 2
11. 1E49726C-8E17-0001-3E46-17843B501EC3
12. Apply appropriate safe laboratory practices
14. 8
15. 3
16. 1E49726C-9C65-0001-D1ED-9C40107D6EA0
17. Carry out appropriate background reading in the literature to inform a research question or to identify student difficulties
19. 6,8
20. 4
21. 1E49726C-9581-0001-7363-13E0159055F0
22. Identify connections between experiment and theory for key intermediate level physics concepts
24. 7,6,9,10
25. 5
26. 1E49726C-C34B-0001-FEA3-1B601B30CBD0
27. Examine experimental results critically to draw conclusions and inform further work
29. 11,9,10
30. 6
31. 1E49726C-D036-0001-654B-1520FAE0B700
32. Present physics investigations both orally and in written formats in a cohesive manner
34. 7,10
35. 7
36. 1E49726C-8CFB-0001-C36E-CE7B57801F2B
37. Reflect on the learning of physics through laboratory investigations
39. 7,11
40. 8

*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Workload	Full time hours per semester
Laboratory	72	laboratory-based activites in Physics
Independent Study	53	Preparation and reflection on laboratory investigations
Total Workload: 125

Section Breakdown
CRN	11999	Part of Term	Semester 1 & 2
Coursework	100%	Examination Weight	0%
Grade Scale	40PASS	Pass Both Elements	N
Resit Category	RC1	Best Mark	N
Module Co-ordinator	Eilish McLoughlin	Module Teacher	Paul Van Kampen

Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Assessment Breakdown
Laboratory Portfolio	Laboratory Reports on intermediate level physics laboratories carried out during semester one	50%	As required
Laboratory Portfolio	Progress /lab-notebook in semester two	20%	As required
Presentation	Presentation of Project in semester two	15%	As required
Report(s)	Written Report on project in semester two	15%	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

Physics Laboratory manual

Journal articles
Articles on experimental set-ups and projects in the American Journal of Physics, the European Journal of Physics, The Physics Teacher, Physics Education

Indicative Reading List

Books:
None

Articles:

0: Articles on experimental projects, European Journal of Physics, 58339, 1
Articles on experimental projects: American Journal of Physics, 58340, 1,
Physics Education: 58341, 1, 0

Other Resources

None