Physics is concerned with the nature, properties and understanding of matter and energy in the universe. The primary method of testing whether physical theories are correct is through comparison of theoretical predictions with measurements of physical properties. Indeed, it could be said that the pursuit of ever more accurate and precise measurements is the bedrock of modern physics. The Physics Advanced Laboratory course will consist of lectures, smaller laboratory experiments, computational exercises, and, most importantly, the design and performance of complex, open-ended experiments using high-end equipment in real research laboratories, such as high precision lasers and a 15MV electrostatic tandem accelerator. The course is designed to develop the essential scientific and laboratory techniques required by experimental physicists, as well as oral and written communication skills, self-reliance, trouble-shooting abilities and a sophisticated understanding of measurement uncertainty.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Understand and be able to apply a broad range of measurement methods and techniques that are widely used in physics experiments;
2. Understand the importance of noise and statistical uncertainties in measurements of physical processes;
3. Design experiments and be able to make appropriate choices of measurement techniques and equipment;
4. Apply high-level computational and statistical techniques to datasets, including complex uncertainty analysis and model testing;
5. Communicate effectively in both oral and written formats.

Research-Led Teaching

The laboratory experiments that comprise this course are not rigidly prescribed and are somewhat open-ended, giving the opportunity for students to take parts of the experiments and the analysis in their own directions.

Field Trips

This course is based primarily on practical laboratory-based activities. Two 3 hr blocks are timetabled that will be used for workshops, tutorials, lectures and laboratories. Students should be available for both of these three hour blocks each week, although there will be some weeks where these three hour blocks are not used. There is the possibility that additional time will be required for laboratories, at times that will be organised to suit student availability as much as possible. However, depending on what is offered, the experiments may require pre-booking of major research facilities (for example, a 15MV electrostatic tandem accelerator, ion-beam implantation laboratory etc), so attendance for most of a particular day may be required with limited time flexibility. These attendance requirements with little flexibility will be limited to one or two days in the semester.

Required Resources

A laboratory diary/Logbook. This resource will be worth 20% of your final grade. This can take the form of a physical notebook, digital notebook, Emacs org files, SharePoint folder, Jupyter notebook, cursed SQL database or whatever you prefer as a way to store and organise information, thoughts and data in a chronological sequence.

If you are unsure what to use, get a 100-200 page, line-ruled, hard back notebook, and bring that and a pen to the first session.

Recommended Resources

Students would greatly benefit from bringing a laptop to most of the workshops and laboratory sessions for data analysis and other activities.

There are no prescribed text books, but the following books are useful references for various parts of this course: “Building Scientific Apparatus” J.H. Moore, C.C. Davies, Michael Coplan and S. Greer (Cambridge University Press), “Radiation Detection and Measurement 4th edition” G.F. Knoll (Wiley US), “Numerical Recipes 3rd edition: The Art of Scientific Computing” H. William et al. (Cambridge University Press) and "The Art of Electronics" P. Horowitz and W. Hill (Cambridge University Press). The above textbooks are not essential to complete the course, but are recommended as useful references. The most critical extracts, as well as other written materials in the form of course notes etc, will be made available on Wattle.

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Workshop about experimental measurement techniques; Electronics lecture and practical workshop	General assignment distributed, logbook
2	Electronics practical workshop	Logbook, submit uncertainties assignment.
3	First week of major laboratory one	Logbook
4	Second week of major laboratory one	Logbook
5	Electronics exam; Third week of major laboratory one and/or Data analysis/interpretation and preparation of report on laboratory one	Logbook, Draft Report One
6	Fourth week of major laboratory one and/or Data analysis/interpretation and preparation of report on laboratory one	Logbook, Electronics Exam
7	Finalise and submit report on laboratory one	Logbook, Final Report One
8	First week of major laboratory two	Logbook
9	Second week of major laboratory two	Logbook
10	Third week of major laboratory two and/or Data analysis/interpretation and preparation of report on laboratory two	Logbook, Draft Report Two
11	Fourth week of major laboratory two and/or Data analysis/interpretation and preparation of report on laboratory two	Logbook
12	Finalise and submit report on laboratory two	Logbook, Final Report Two

Tutorial Registration

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Uncertainty Assignment	10 %	27/02/2025	1,2,3,4
Oral/Practical Electronics Exam	10 %	18/03/2025	1,3,5
Logbook	20 %	20/05/2025	1,3,5
Major Laboratory One Draft Report	5 %	21/03/2025	5
Major Laboratory One Final Report	25 %	17/04/2025	1,2,3,4,5
Major Laboratory Two Draft Report	5 %	09/05/2025	5
Major Laboratory Two Final Report	25 %	23/05/2025	1,2,3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Examination(s)

Please note, that where a date range is used in the Assessment Summary in relation to exams, the due date and return date for mid-semester exams indicate the approximate timeframe in which the exam will be held; the due and return date for end of semester exams indicate the approximate timeframe in which the exam will be held and the date official end of Semester results are released on ISIS. Students should consult the course wattle site and the ANU final examination timetable to confirm the date, time and venue of the exam.

Assessment Task 1

Uncertainty Assignment

Revision of uncertainty analysis and computational skills from first and second year and extension to more complex approaches.

Due date: 2024-02-27

Word limit: None

Presentation requirements: Electronic submission in pdf format

Estimated return date: Two weeks after submission

Assessment Task 2

Oral/Practical Electronics Exam

Oral exam for the electronics unit that may also involve practical assessment and testing of circuits in the laboratory.

 

Due date: Refer to the PHYS3104 Wattle page for the weekly schedule for the semester

Presentation requirements: Oral exam in the electronics laboratory

Estimated return date: Two weeks after exam is completed

Assessment Task 3

Logbook

Students are expected to keep a logbook that records details of all of their activities in the class, especially to log the major experiments and their results, interpretation and analysis. It will be reviewed one or more times during the semester for informal feedback, but will only be marked at the end of semester.

 

Due date: To be submitted with the second major lab report

Word limit: None

Presentation requirements: The logbook is for the student's benefit and will be assessed primarily on its completeness and whether it would provide an adequate record for the student to go back and write reports or recall information. Cleanliness and neatness are not assessment criteria.

Estimated return date: After grades are announced.

Assessment Task 4

Major Laboratory One Draft Report

The role of the draft report is to ensure students are progressing towards completion of their reports and to provide feedback before final submission while also emulating the collaborative process that is typically undertaken when writing scientific articles for publication.

Due date: Refer to the PHYS3104 Wattle page for the weekly schedule for the semester

Word limit: None (remembering, however, that scientific writing is generally concise)

Presentation requirements: Various forms of draft may be acceptable following discussion with the lecturers

Estimated return date: Within a few days of submission, in time for the complete report to be submitted on schedule

Assessment Task 5

Major Laboratory One Final Report

A major goal of this course is to understand how to write scientific articles. Hence students are expected to produce a concise and well-constructed report similar to article that might be published in a journal aimed at a broad physics audience.

Due date: Week 7. Refer to the PHYS3104 Wattle page for the weekly schedule for the semester

Word limit: None (remembering, however, that scientific writing is generally concise)

Presentation requirements: Electronic submission in pdf format, ideally from a LaTeX source.

Estimated return date: Within two weeks of submission or in time for feedback to inform the writing of the second major laboratory report.

Assessment Task 6

Major Laboratory Two Draft Report

The role of the draft report is to ensure students are progressing towards completion of their reports and to provide feedback before final submission while also emulating the collaborative process that is typically undertaken when writing scientific articles for publication.

Due date: Refer to the PHYS3104 Wattle page for the weekly schedule for the semester

Word limit: None (remembering, however, that scientific writing is generally concise)

Presentation requirements: Various forms of draft may be acceptable following discussion with the lecturers

Estimated return date: Within a few days of submission, in time for the complete report to be submitted on schedule

Assessment Task 7

Major Laboratory Two Final Report

A major goal of this course is to understand how to write scientific articles. Hence students are expected to produce a concise and well-constructed report similar to article that might be published in a journal aimed at a broad physics audience.

Due date: Week 12.

Word limit: None (remembering, however, that scientific writing is generally concise)

Presentation requirements: Electronic submission in pdf format, ideally from a LaTeX source.

Estimated return date: When final grades are released

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Return of marked assessment items (assignments, lab reports) will generally be via email.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Is resubmission permitted? On allowance by course convener.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Accessibility for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students