Study-Unit Description

Study-Unit Description


CODE PHY3111

 
TITLE Advanced Experimental Physics

 
UM LEVEL 03 - Years 2, 3, 4 in Modular Undergraduate Course

 
MQF LEVEL 6

 
ECTS CREDITS 6

 
DEPARTMENT Physics

 
DESCRIPTION Building on the experience and knowledge of Experimental Physics, this study-unit will encompass a host of five general experimental projects. In the main these will be related to the research areas of the department of physics with an emphasis on computational modelling and advanced experimental techniques as well as statistical analyses. The study-unit will contain a short taught component prior to the electromagnetic project. Each project will take approximately six weeks to complete.

Study-unit Aims:

The study-unit aim is to familiarize the student with the basic elements that go into modern experimental practices. These include:
i. Planning of experimental procedures;
ii. Familiarization of different experimental apparatus;
iii. Basic computer simulation techniques;
iv. Advanced statistical analysis;
v. Advanced programming techniques.

Learning Outcomes:

1. Knowledge & Understanding
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- outline an experimental plan and identify potential shortfalls;
- set up laboratory equipment in a correct fashion and take readings of an experiment;
- set up a computer simulation or programme a numerical model for select projects;
- interpret experimental results and assess the statistical relevance of the outcome.

2. Skills
By the end of the study-unit the student will be able to:

- plan and conduct experiments with laboratory equipment;
- perform computer simulations or numerical calculations of experimental scenarios;
- calculate statistical significance of experimental results;
- produce a formal report of a medium term experiment that includes all significant elements that involved in obtaining the experimental results.

 
ADDITIONAL NOTES Pre-Requisite Study-unit: PHY2230

 
STUDY-UNIT TYPE Practical

 
METHOD OF ASSESSMENT
Assessment Component/s Assessment Due Sept. Asst Session Weighting
Practical SEM2 No 20%
Practical SEM2 No 20%
Practical SEM2 No 20%
Practical SEM2 No 20%
Practical SEM2 No 20%

 
LECTURER/S Miguel Andrea Zammit
Lourdes Farrugia (Co-ord.)
Jackson Said

 

 
The University makes every effort to ensure that the published Courses Plans, Programmes of Study and Study-Unit information are complete and up-to-date at the time of publication. The University reserves the right to make changes in case errors are detected after publication.
The availability of optional units may be subject to timetabling constraints.
Units not attracting a sufficient number of registrations may be withdrawn without notice.
It should be noted that all the information in the description above applies to study-units available during the academic year 2023/4. It may be subject to change in subsequent years.

https://www.um.edu.mt/course/studyunit