- Department: Physics
- Module co-ordinator: Dr. James Dedrick
- Credit value: 20 credits
- Credit level: C
- Academic year of delivery: 2022-23
- See module specification for other years: 2021-22
Occurrence | Teaching period |
---|---|
A | Autumn Term 2022-23 to Summer Term 2022-23 |
The first year laboratory course is aimed at building on the skills learned at school or college, and in the Introduction to Experimental Laboratory (part of the Professional Skills I module), by developing the core experimental competencies required of a physicist. In addition, the experiments will support topics in the first year lectures, which will help to reinforce ideas presented in these modules.
In the first year laboratory you will learn how to use some equipment which plays a key role in a wide range of experiments. The module provides a number of core experiments, including experiments specific to astrophysics students, an observational project, and also the option of experiments in electronics or programming in Fortran 90. You will learn how to analyse experimental results, how to assess errors and how to present your work in a formal report.
The project involves working in a group on an observational astronomy problem. This will give you the opportunity to show initiative in experimental work and to use the library and other resources in researching the topic of your project. The project culminates in a conference-style presentation at which your group presents a poster and gives a talk.
Full details of the experiments and organisation of the laboratory are in the First Year Laboratory Handbook, provided on the web and in the laboratory.
Syllabus
Task | Length | % of module mark |
---|---|---|
Essay/coursework Formal Report |
N/A | 40 |
Practical Lab Books |
N/A | 60 |
Non-compensatable
Task | Length | % of module mark |
---|---|---|
Essay/coursework Formal Report |
N/A | 40 |
Practical Lab Books |
N/A | 60 |
Our policy on how you receive feedback for formative and summative purposes is contained in our Department Handbook.
Squires: Practical Physics (Cambridge)