Laboratory Organisation

The Third Year Physics labs run in a very different manner to the Second Year Physics labs. This page attempts to describe for the prospective student just how these labs are organised. The information here applies to the following subjects;

• PHYS 305 Quantum Mechanics,
• PHYS 325 Electromagnetism,
• PHYS 335 Classical Mechanics,
• PHYS 375 Nuclear Physics,
• PHYS 385 Statistical Mechanics,
• PHYS 390 Astrophysics.
  

For all other 300 level Physics subjects, refer to your lecturer for details about the laboratory component.

How much lab do I have to do?
When can I do my lab?
How is my lab mark determined?

How much lab do I have to do?

For each of the subjects in the first list above, there is a stipulated laboratory component of 32 hrs. There is no set number of experiments for any subject, nor are the experiments divided into experiments for the individual subjects.

The exception to this rule is PHYS 325, Electromagnetism. Unless you are doing a double degree with Computer, Electrical or Telecommunications Engineering, your laboratory component for PHYS 325 comprises a laboratory based course in Digital Electronics and Computer Interfacing.

When can I do my lab?

The lab normally runs in three hour blocks. For each subject you need to do one three hour block each week. This does not have to be the same three hour block for all students in that subject. However, you must attend at the same times each week. For example, if you only are doing PHYS305, you can not come on Tuesday afternoon one week, then Thursday the next, etc. This way the poor sods looking after the lab know what equipment is in use each lab session.

How is my lab mark determined?

• With the exception of digital electronics, which counts only toward PHYS 325, you only get one lab mark for all 300 level physics subjects you complete in a given semester. For example, if in first semester you are doing Quantum Mecahnics and Classical Mechanics, you will get the same lab mark for both subjects.
  
  
• Your lab mark has two components. Two thirds of your mark is based on marks you receive for reports you have submitted. The remaining third is your "class" mark. This is based on our assessment of your performance in class. Factors taken into account in determining this typically include the following; the quality of your log (or record) book, quality and quantity of your experimental work, behaviour in class.
  
  
• You must submit reports for completed experiments no later than two weeks after completion of the experiment.
  
  
• All laboratory work is to be completed in normal teaching weeks, and the final date for submission of reports is the Friday of study week. This is normally one week after classes finish for semester. You should try to complete all your laboratory hours by the end of week 11. This means you should have all reports handed in by the end of week 13, which will prevent data analysis and report writing from interfering with your study time.