FYS2150 – Experimental Physics
Course description
Schedule, syllabus and examination date
Course content
The course deals with experimental physics as a scientific method. Students learn about the importance of tidiness, accuracy, and precision in laboratory work, and are trained in the use of written tools through the systematic use of lab journals and presentation of results in reports. A central theme of the course is the statistical use of data and to identify and quantify sources of error.
The first part of the course deals with measurements of some basic physical quantities and evaluation of the method?s trueness and precision.?The second part of the course deals mainly with the experimental study of physical phenomena and experimental verification of physical laws.
Learning outcome
After completing the course, you are able to:
- apply critical analysis of sources of error and error propagation to evaluate own data, and optimize experimental design.
- explain physical phenomena, the principles for the chosen measurement instruments, and compare different principles of measurement
- discuss your own data in the light of statistical analysis, error sources, model adaptations and the relation between theory and experiment.
- work accurately and repeatable to achieve reliable results, focusing on verifiability and traceability.
- use the lab journal as documentation and present results in a lab report.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for?in Studentweb.
Special admission requirements
In addition to fulfilling the?Higher Education Entrance Qualification, applicants have to meet the following special admission requirements:
- Mathematics R1 (or Mathematics S1 and S2) + R2
And in addition one of these:
- Physics (1+2)
- Chemistry (1+2)
- Biology (1+2)
- Information technology (1+2)
- Geosciences (1+2)
- Technology and theories of research (1+2)
The special admission requirements may also be covered by?equivalent studies from Norwegian upper secondary school or by other equivalent studies?(in Norwegian).
Formal prerequisite knowledge
The following courses must be passed before the first day of the mandatory laboratory course in FYS2150:
Recommended previous knowledge
-
FYS-MEK1110 – Mechanics or FYS1100 – Mechanics and Modelling
-
STK-FYS1110 – Probability, modeling and data analysis for the physical subjects or STK1100 – Probability and Statistical Modelling
Overlapping courses
- 5 credits overlap with FYS2150L – Practical work in physics education (discontinued).
Teaching
The first lecture is mandatory. If you are unable to attend, the Department has to be informed in advance (studieinfo@fys.uio.no), or else you will lose your place in the course.
The course extends over a full semester. 5 hours of lab work per week.
There are 12 compulsory pre-lab exercises, 12 lab journals, and 2 lab reports, all of which must be approved before you can sit the final exam.
The following courses must be passed before the first day of the mandatory laboratory course in FYS2150:
You will need to provide documentation that you have passed HMS0503 – Laboratory Safety?and HMS0505 – Electricity Safety?when you attend the first mandatory lab in FYS2150.
As?the?teaching involves laboratory and/or field work, you should consider taking out a separate travel and personal risk insurance.?Read about your insurance cover as a student.
Examination
- Final home exam (48 hours) which?counts 100 % towards the final grade.
This course has mandatory exercises?that must be approved before you can sit the final?exam.
When writing your exercises?make sure to familiarize yourself with the?rules for use of sources and citations.?Breach of these rules may lead to suspicion of?attempted cheating.
Examination support material
All examination support material is allowed.
Language of examination
The examination text is given in Norwegian. You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
Resit an examination
This course offers both postponed and resit of examination. Read more:
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.