Measurements in Physics (5 cr)

Evaluation scale

H-5

Content scheduling

First couple of weeks:
- Introduction to the course and lab safety
- SI system and reporting
- Graphical presentations, fitting a graph, calculating the slope.

Then:
- 8 laboratory sessions and 1 extensive pre-assignment
- End of the course: one missing labs session and one lab exam

Objective

After completing the course the student can:
- model physical phenomena and apply the model in engineering
- recognise physical possibilities and limitations
- use measuring equipment
- do suitable measuring arrangement for a problem and complete the measurements
- estimate uncertainty of measurements and determine uncertainty for the results in simple cases
- make and analyse graphical presentations
- keep a laboratory notebook
- report results orally and in writing
- work safely at a laboratory
- work safely with different kinds of radioactive radiation
- handle waste developed in laboratory

Content

•safety at laboratory work
•physical modeling
•radioactive radiation
•measuring, evaluating errors of measurements, processing and analyzing results
•graphical presentations and reporting
•handling laboratory waste

Materials

Study material provided by the teacher in ITSlearning.

In addition for self study on physics theory: OpenStax College Physics AP (free online)

Teaching methods

Contact teaching at the start of the course is about the theory necessary to work in the lab.

Lab assignments are the main part of the course. Each assignment is done in groups of 2-4 students (both preparation before and finishing the report after the lab session).

For each assignment, the students must prepare in advance by studying the instructions and any additional material applicable to the assignment, independently searching for information if necessary.

During the lab work the student receives assistance from the teacher. This assistance is gradually lessened as the course progresses.

During and after the lab work the student practices reporting and critical evaluation of the performed work.

Exam schedules

Exam is at the end of the course according to group specific schedule.
Since the grading on the course is largely based on the reports, the exam itself is not mandatory, and therefore no retake opportunity is arranged.

Note that the reports must be returned on time.

International connections

Physical measurements are the basis of engineering. This is practiced by undergoing measurements that emphasise fields of Physics most relevant to ICT. Themes of energy conservation and efficiency are highlighted in several of the assignments. The student practices notation, terminology and standards relevant to Physics as well as science and engineering in general. Working in small groups teaches basic teamworking skills and promotes peer learning and teaching.

Student workload

The course is largely based on flipped learning, meaning that most of the time allocated for this course is spent in preparation for the assignments and finishing the reports after the lab sessions.

Lessons: 6h
Independent study of measuring equipment: 10h
Preparation for the assignments: 36h (4h x 9)
Measurements during lab sessions: 18h (2h x 9)
Finalising the reports: 18h (2h x 9)
Independent preparation for the lab exam: 10h

Further information

Please note that the course does not have a mandatory attendance requirement per se - but, in practice there is, since the assignments can only be performed if physically present in the lab sessions. Inactive students are removed from the course.

Course communication and information about the course is in ITSlearning platform which you can see after enrolling to the course.

The student may contact the teacher by email or by messaging on ITS.