- Academic Registry
Course & Unit Catalogues


PH20123: Experimental physics, scientific computing & theory skills

[Page last updated: 30 November 2023]

Academic Year: 2023/24
Owning Department/School: Department of Physics
Credits: 12 [equivalent to 24 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 240
Level: Intermediate (FHEQ level 5)
Period:
Academic Year
Assessment Summary: PRPR 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Experimental physics and computing (PRPR 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: Before taking this module you must take PH10007 AND take PH10102
Learning Outcomes: While taking this unit the student should be able to:
  • successfully conduct short experiments, following written guidelines, on various topics relating to physics;
  • successfully perform scientific computing tasks involving a range of numerical methods following written guidelines, applying them to real-world data and problems drawn from a range of topics in physics;
  • demonstrate understanding of numerical methods and the issues applicable to their use;
  • plan, design and carry out a group project involving the writing and testing of code; the generation, analysis and interpretation of data; and the production of scientific report demonstrating an appropriate standard of presentation, style, structure and attention to detail.
  • prepare and deliver an oral presentation;
  • carry out the structured design of a computer program using flowcharts or pseudocode;
  • write computer programs in a high level structured language;
  • describe and apply methods for testing and debugging programs;
  • demonstrate effective communication of mathematical physics.



Aims: The aims of this unit are to further develop student confidence and competence in scientific computing, data analysis, experimental laboratory skills, and written and oral presentation skills. A further aim is to reinforce elements of Year 2 Physics units by providing numerical activities and experimental examples in these areas.

Skills: Written Communication T/F A, Spoken Communication T/F A, Numeracy T/F A, Data Acquisition, Handling, and Analysis T/F A, Information Technology T/F A, Problem Solving T/F A, Working as part of a group T/F A, Practical laboratory skills T/F A, Project planning/management T/F A.

Content: Students will be introduced to devices, instrumentation and measurement systems as found in a modern research environment. Students will undertake a combination of short benchmark experiments, typically working in pairs. Experiments will be drawn from topics encompassing optical physics, x-rays, electromagnetism, analogue electronics, instrumentation and ultrasonics.
Scientific computing laboratory sessions will introduce numerical methods and provide problem-based learning activities illustrating their application; methods such as root-finding; interpolation; random numbers: generation and applications; optimisation methods; numerical integration; numerical solution of initial value and boundary value ODE problems. Matrix problems; Fourier transform methods.
Practical activities will be underpinned by lectures covering relevant background theory and the statistics of measurement.
Students will undertake a computational group project requiring the writing of code to investigate or solve a scientific problem. There will be a choice of project in different subject areas. Project work will be assessed through written report and oral presentation. Workshops will be provided to develop these skills, and in the proper structuring of mathematical material.
Students will take a course introducing a more formal high/mid-level compiler-based language, and delivered in the Linux environment.

Course availability:

PH20123 is a Must Pass Unit on the following courses:

Department of Physics
  • USPH-AFB16 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics (Year 2)
  • USPH-AAB16 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USPH-AKB16 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with Year long work placement (Year 2)
  • USPH-AFM16 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics (Year 2)
  • USPH-AFM17 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with Research placement (Year 2)
  • USPH-AAM16 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with Study year abroad (Year 2)
  • USPH-AKM16 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with Professional Placement (Year 2)
  • USPH-AKM17 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with Professional and Research Placements (Year 2)
  • USPH-AAM17 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with Study year abroad and Research Placement (Year 2)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2023/24 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2024/25 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2023/24.
  • Courses and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.