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Module Specifications

Archived Version 2022 - 2023

Module Title
Module Code
School

Online Module Resources

NFQ level 8 Credit Rating 7.5
Pre-requisite None
Co-requisite None
Compatibles None
Incompatibles None
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
Laboratory30Carrying out in-presence real experiments
Online activity20Writing 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 "lecture" 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

Experimental Laboratory
The student will carry out five experimental projects some virtualised, some real (10 hours each) The experimental projects will be selected from the following list:Optical Pumping, The Zeeman Effect, Birefringence/Transmission, Blackbody Radiation,Michelson and Mach Zhender Interferometer, Electron Spin Resonance/Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, The lock-in Amplifier, Optoelectronic Detectors, Magnetic Resonance Imaging. Spatial Filtering, Shockley-Haynes effect. The decision which experiment will be virtualised, or which new virtual experiment will be included depends on decisions on infrastructure and software supplier within the virtual labs project in the HCI project and details can not be given at this stage

Computational Experiments
The student carries out 3 computational experiments on the Euler, Runge Kutta, and graphical methods to solve differential equations numerically.

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

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment% Examination Weight%
Course Work Breakdown
TypeDescription% of totalAssessment Date
Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories;
1 = A resit is available for all components of the module
2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module
3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
Unavailable
Indicative Reading List

    Other Resources

    None
    Programme or List of Programmes
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