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Department of Physics
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Undergraduate laboratory study

Experimental physics is the bedrock from which all our understanding of the universe must come. Without the ability to test nature, even our grandest ideas are just speculation. Even if you plan to avoid experimental work in your career, you will need to understand the provenance of the data with which to test your theories.
Report writing guidelines
Male and female student checking notes by fume cupboard. One holds a test tube in his hands.

 

How do we set about learning? The answer is stage by stage, level by level.

 

Levels

  • Discovery Skills

    You prepare for full-scale experiments. Level 1 Labs see you build the skills required to be a competent experimental physicist.

  • Lab Skills & Electronics

    Doing a complete investigation using what you learnt in Level 1. You will carry out experiments over multiple sessions and have more freedom.
    Two students working with circuits and an oscilloscope

  • Level 3

    Having chosen an experimental project in a particular area, you work out how to do it! You lead your own investigation.
    Night time shot of telescope domes on the roof of the building and a shooting star above. The cathedral can be seen lit up in the distance.

Discovery Skills

You prepare for full-scale experiments. Level 1 Labs see you build the skills required to be a competent experimental physicist.

Lab Skills & Electronics

Doing a complete investigation using what you learnt in Level 1. You will carry out experiments over multiple sessions and have more freedom.
Two students working with circuits and an oscilloscope

Level 3

Having chosen an experimental project in a particular area, you work out how to do it! You lead your own investigation.
Night time shot of telescope domes on the roof of the building and a shooting star above. The cathedral can be seen lit up in the distance.
Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook

Important information

  • Lab Skills

    Here you can find references and help for the various skills you will need in your labs module.
    Students in labs peering into microscope

  • Data Analysis

    Interactive screen experiments ('ISEs') are an innovative technique which allows students to carry out experiments on computers outside of the lab.
    Data Analysis graph

  • Lab Skills

    It is vital that you follow all safety instructions and procedures.
    Fingers tapping on a keyboard

Lab Skills

Here you can find references and help for the various skills you will need in your labs module.
Students in labs peering into microscope

Data Analysis

Interactive screen experiments ('ISEs') are an innovative technique which allows students to carry out experiments on computers outside of the lab.
Data Analysis graph

Lab Report Writing

It is vital that you follow all safety instructions and procedures.
Fingers tapping on a keyboard
Report writing guidelines

Chair of Teaching Laboratories Committee

Dr Aidan Hindmarch, MPhys, PhD, FHEA

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Telephone: +44 (0) 191 33 43750
Room number: 144E

(email at a.t.hindmarch@durham.ac.uk)

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