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Level 2 - putting it all together

Doing a complete investigation using what you learnt in Level 1. You will carry out experiments over multiple sessions and have more freedom. You will still be supported throughout so that you can learn the skills needed for experimental physics:

  • Choosing measurements you will need to make, how many and to what accuracy.
  • Planning your activities over multiple sessions and record what you did.
  • Using computers to control hardware.
  • Using cryogens safely.
  • Automating experiments so that you can generate large datasets without breaking into a sweat.
  • Presenting your work - in written reports, seminars and interviews.
  • Computing - both in the numerical techniqes required to get the most from your data and by instruction in a computer language.

Introduction

This site contains information about the lab work you will undertake for the module Laboratory Skills and Electronics - both PHYS2641 and PHYS3681.

The Laboratory Skills and Electronics module is assessed through a combination of lab reports, practical assessments, and computing problems. The details, timescales and other information such as lab allocation lists can be found on DUO under Laboratory Skills and Electronics > Course Documents.

 

Reading List

Measurements and their Uncertainties by Hughes and Hase, is required reading for this module. It begins at a level accessible for first year undergraduate physics but goes up to research level. Its compact size makes it easy to carry to the laboratory on a regular basis. Familiarity with chapters 1-5 is assumed for this module.