MODERN METHODS IN EXPERIMENT AND MODELLING - 2023/4

Module Overview

The module will introduce students to research level equipment and techniques that are used within the research groups of Physics via extended projects. The four-week projects will cover astrophysics, experimental and theoretical nuclear physics, experimental and theoretical soft matter physics, and quantum technologies. Students will gain experience using state-of-the-art equipment and software, analysing and working with large data sets and in problem solving.

The module builds upon experience gained during first- and second-year laboratory and computing classes with project-based work that is typically more open ended and less structured. Students are expected to take more responsibility for the planning and direction of work than in previous years. The goal is to help prepare students for independent research within a team and for future project work (e.g. Final Year Projects and MPhys research years).

Numbers will be limited on certain projects.

Module provider

Mathematics & Physics

Module Leader

DOHERTY Daniel (Maths & Phys)

Number of Credits: 15

ECTS Credits: 7.5

Framework: FHEQ Level 6

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Module Availability

Semester 1

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None (core laboratory and computational work in years 1 and 2)

Module content

Content includes: - Introduction to the module and module structure (week 1) Students select two projects covering the breadth of research areas within Physics. Projects take place during week 2-5 and 7-10 and an indicative list of projects include - Astrophysics experimental: telescope projects using either imaging or spectroscopy techniques. - Astrophysics modelling: dynamical modelling of stellar systems, stellar evolution modelling. - Nuclear experimental: Coincidence measurements, related to PET imaging and angular correlations. Data analysis using modern tools such as the ROOT framework. - Nuclear theory/ modelling: exploring nuclear models using existing codes; application to structure properties such as mass, size and shape, and reactions between nuclei - Soft matter experimental: Optical microscope projects related to the concepts in soft matter or biological physics. - Soft matter theory/ modelling: Simulations of modern soft matter or biological physics - Quantum technology: Optical and electrical characterisation of quantum systems, involving an introduction to computer-controlled instrumentation with LabVIEW. - Quantum computing: Introduction to quantum algorithms using classical simulators, practical use of Qiskit

Assessment pattern

Alternative Assessment

The coursework can be completed within the Late Summer Assessment (LSA) period if required.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate knowledge, practical and computation skills, project planning and teamwork.

Two reports on the experimental/ modelling projects, presented in a research paper format (completed individually).

Report 1 due in week 6 (25%)
Report 2 due in week 11 (25%)

Two presentations on the experimental/ modeling projects

Presentation 1 during week 6 (10%)
Presentation 2 during week 11 (10%)

Essay-style in-person examination questions where students will be asked to describe, e.g., key experimental/ modelling techniques and methods (30%)

Feedback and formative assessment: Feedback will be provided throughout the projects by experts in the relevant techniques and methodologies. This builds upon report writing and presentations from the Year 1 and 2 laboratory assessments.

Module aims

• Introduce research level equipment and techniques used by the research groups at Surrey.
• Gain additional experience of problem solving, data analysis and independent research by planning, implementing, and performing experimental and/ or modelling work.
• Develop presentational skills.
• Prepare students for future team and project work including final year projects, MPhys research years and in future employment.

Learning outcomes

Methods of Teaching / Learning

The learning and teaching strategy is designed to combine student-led and flipped learning, for the project components, with traditional lecture content.

This module is delivered collaboratively across Physics. The module leader oversees the administration for the module but the projects involve members from each of the research groups. The group contact leads the setup of equipment, delivers the initial tutorials on the operation of equipment/ relevant techniques and are then available to assist with and troubleshoot on the project.

A list of projects is released to students in week 1 who then select two which would each be completed over a 4-week period during the semester. The group contact will also share relevant resources (e.g. a short lab script, instruction manuals, and relevant research papers). Students work together on the project and would write an individual short research paper and then deliver a presentation on their results.

The projects are accompanied by 10 hours of lectures across the semester, introducing state-of-the-art research techniques. This content is assessed during the examination at the end of the semester.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: PHY3064

Other information

N/A

Programmes this module appears in

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.