SENIOR PHYSICS LABORATORY
PHY3LAB
2018
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
This subject forms the capstone laboratory experience for the Physics and Nanotechnology majors. Students will perfom 3 lab experiments where they will reproduce classic results from fields relevant to the research strengths of the discipline. Students will write a report summarising the results for each experiment and will provide an oral defence for each report. In this way, students will acquire the basic skills to design an experiment, acquire and analyse data and present their results to a professional level.
SchoolSchool of Molecular Sciences/LIMS
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorDavid Hoxley
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 3 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites PHY2MOD
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjectsN/A
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Critically review and analyse research data and compare and interpret the results with reference to the scientific literature.
- Activities:
- Students prepare an individual report in the style of a professional research journal article which accurately and ethically describes the experiment, its findings, and draws appropriate conclusions. Students are provided with a template on which to base their report.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills (Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. Design and perform experiments related to essential concepts in modern physics using standard physics laboratory techniques, equipment and software which produce conclusive and accurate results.
- Activities:
- Students conduct, in pairs, three extended laboratory experiments of around 20 hours duration each in close consultation with a staff demonstrator, who assists them in the design and conduct of the experiment.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
03. 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 written report.
- Activities:
- Students submit three laboratory reports detailing their interpretation of the results. The laboratory report mark contains a writing component. Students conduct an oral defense of each written report in the presence of the subject co-ordinator and one other research staff member.
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills (Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills (Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills (Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
Subject options
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Melbourne, 2018, Semester 2, Day
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorDavid Hoxley
Class requirements
Laboratory Class
Week:
31
-
43
One 3.0 hours laboratory class per week
on weekdays
during the day
from week 31 to week 43
and delivered via face-to-face.
WorkShop
Week:
31
-
43
Two 3.0 hours workshop per study period
on weekdays
during the day
from week 31 to week 43
and delivered via face-to-face.
"Week 1 and 6"
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3 x written reports (2400 word equiv) | 45 | 01, 02, 03 | |
| 1 x 20 minute Oral defense (1000 word equiv) | Students answer questions on one of their written reports. | 30 | 03 |
| 1 x 1 hour Lab Exam (1000 word equiv) | 25 | 03 |