Laboratory Work A

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Estimated total time commitment of 170 hours

Either both

or

None

None

None

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable steps will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the University’s programs. This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this with the subject coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

The two subjects PHYC30014 Laboratory Work A and PHYC30015 Laboratory Work B are offered sequentially. In both subjects laboratory work draws from a common pool of experiments. Practical experience is available in the following laboratories: nuclear physics, particle physics, diffraction, electronics, atomic physics, optical physics and astronomy. Mechanical workshop experience is also available. In some laboratories individual projects can be selected. PHYC30015 Laboratory Work B offers the possible extension to research project work.

To challenge students to expand their knowledge of fundamental physics principles and develop their capacity to:

• demonstrate an understanding of a wide variety of advanced experimental and data analysis techniques;
• acquire, analyse and interpret experimental data; and
• write and evaluate scientific and technical reports.

Ongoing assessment of laboratory work during the semester, consisting of laboratory participation (28%), record keeping (57%) and written reports (15%) up to a total equivalent to 9000 words.

None

This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Bachelor of Commerce
• Bachelor of Environments
• Bachelor of Music

You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.

A student who completes this subject should be able to:

• acquire and interpret experimental data and design experimental investigations
• participate as an effective member of a laboratory group.
• think independently and analytically, and direct his or her own learning
• manage time effectively in order to submit assessable work when required.

This subject is available for science credit to students enrolled in the BSc (both pre-2008 and new degrees), BASc or a combined BSc course.

The standard laboratory sequence taken by most students specialising in physics and wishing to proceed to honours or MSc level studies in physics totals 25 points. This is usually achieved by completing PHYC30014 Laboratory Work A and PHYC30015 Laboratory Work B.