01. Analyse, visualise and solve conceptual and mathematical problems related to scanning probe microscopy.

Activities:

Students are assigned a set of conceptual and mathematical problems to solve in the form of five assignments. Problem-solving techniques are modelled in lectures and partial solutions to selected problems derived in tutorials. Students work individually to prepare and submit complete solutions to meet deadlines occurring regularly throughout the course.

02. Critically review and analyse research data in an ethical manner and interpret the results with reference to the scientific literature in order to develop appropriate conclusions and convey these in an appropriate manner in a written report.

Activities:

Students prepare individual reports in the style of a professional research journal article which accurately and ethically describes each experiment, its findings and draws appropriate conclusions. Students are provided with a template on which to base their report, along with graded examples of previous students' reports.

03. Design and perform experiments using scanning probe microscopes and associated techniques, equipment and software which produce conclusive and accurate results.

Activities:

Students conduct, in pairs, three extended laboratory experiments of six hours duration each in close consultation with a staff demonstrator, who assists them in the design and conduct of the experiment.

04. Describe and explain, in appropriate written and verbal style, the findings from laboratory experiments performed by the student. Answer verbal queries about the findings as presented in the context of scanning probe microscopy.

Activities:

Students prepare and deliver a short individual oral presentation of a journal article selected from a provided list, in the style of a journal club. Students prepare and deliver, in pairs, an oral presentation describing an extended experiment (project) they wish to perform, including hypothesis, techniques, budget and risk assessment. Students prepare and deliver, in pairs, an oral presentation describing the findings of their project and avenues for further research on the topic. This occurs one week prior to submission of the written project report. Each oral assessment is of approximately 15 minutes duration and is presented to a peer group and laboratory demonstrator.

05. Collaborate, in pairs, to complete laboratory experiments and prepare and deliver the oral component of the laboratory assessment. Ethically distinguish between collaborative and individual work.

Activities:

Demonstrators assess the relative participation of each student in completing the experiment and in the preparation and execution of the oral component of the laboratory assessment. It is repeatedly stressed via the course materials and orally that students in the group are expected to contribute equally to these activities.

06. Describe the recent developments in the fields of scanning probe microscopy and identify areas which constitute interesting research problems. Apply research principles and methods applicable to the field of scanning probe microscopy.

Activities:

Students are assigned a simple research problem solvable by computational methods, and are expected to solve it individually, in consultation with demonstrators. The approach and results are summarised in a written report, which includes a proposal for extending the project by further work on a related interesting research problem.