Introductory description

The module introduces experimental science and teaches the skills required for successful laboratory work. These include how to work with apparatus, how to keep a laboratory notebook, how to handle data and quantify errors and how to write scientific reports. The module also asks you to think critically and solve problems. Initial experiments build core skills while later experiments explore important areas of physics.

Module web page

Module aims

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Two induction days will be spent looking at: 1) making measurements, assessing their precision, and combining errors. 2) Keeping an adequate laboratory notebook; 3) Planning experimental work

Further days will be spent in the laboratory, on each of which one experiment allocated from a list will be done and the laboratory notebook record assessed for credit. A sub-set of these experiments will be in astrophysics. The laboratory organizer will allocate experiments to be written up as formal reports for credit. Guidance on report writing will be given before the first report has to be written.

In addition, a series of workshops will develop key practical skills in electronic instrumentation and astronomy.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

• Plan and execute an experiment. Students should be able take account of the time available and and use commonly-encountered equipment
• Keep a laboratory notebook as an accurate record of an experiment
• Analyse the results of an experiment, quantify the uncertainty in the measurements, use graphs with error bars. Students should be able to assess the effectiveness of the procedure and suggest possible improvements
• Examine, process and assess astronomical data
• Gain experience in the use of electronic instrumentation
• Write a scientific report

Subject specific skills

Understanding of experimental errors, use of computer-based data analysis, planning the use of the time available for an investigation, scientific report writing. Use of laboratory instrumentation.

Transferable skills

Analytical, communication, problem-solving, report-writing, working with equipment safely.