Unit information: Physics Techniques in 2016/17

Unit name	Physics Techniques
Unit code	PHYSM0015
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Professor. Hayden
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	None
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Physics
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

This unit will be a mixture of lectures and practical training. Students will select from a range of different options. This will allow the students to tailor their programme to their interests and likely needs in future years. The unit will cover the techniques used in the field of condensed matter physics. Examples of the techniques covered include: neutron and x-ray scattering; electron microscopy and associated techniques; spectroscopic probes (Raman and infrared, scanning probe microscopy); theoretical modelling and simulation of materials and devices. This unit is designed to support the research aspects of the training, and as such will be a mixture of workshop-style teaching, seminars, and hands-on sessions on relevant research equipment or using computer packages.

Intended Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of the unit, students will be able to:

• describe the operation of key pieces of technical equipment or software packages

• demonstrate a basic knowledge of a range of experimental and theoretical/modelling techniques used in condensed matter research and understand what results might be obtained by using these techniques.

• apply the techniques studied to a research problem in the future.

Teaching Information

Demonstrations, seminars, lectures and practical hands-on sessions.

Assessment Information

Assessed course work sheet of questions related to research techniques and essay questions (5 hours each module, 100%).

Reading and References

References to be provided by lecturers