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PHY-10037 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 04 December 2025

PHY-10037 - Practical and Academic Skills for Physics
Coordinator: Joana Maria Oliveira Room: LJ1.48 Tel: +44 1782 7 33493
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 4
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734921

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

A professional physicist requires a range of specialist skills, which you will start developing in this module. You will acquire hands-on practice in conducting a variety of physical experiments, effectively and accurately recording and analysing your data using specialist software. You will develop the art of scientific writing and reporting, and practise the principles of the scientific method, including error analysis, risk assessment and critical thinking. These skills are the foundations of a successful physics or astrophysics graduate.

Aims
The aim of this module is to introduce fundamental experimental techniques through hands-on laboratory work, developing essential skills in data collection, analysis, and interpretation. This module will also emphasise the importance of safety, accuracy, and precision in experimental physics, promoting a deeper understanding of physical principles. By the end of the module, students will be able to conduct basic experiments, critically evaluate their results, and effectively communicate their findings.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Execute fundamental physics experiments, demonstrating an understanding of experimental techniques.: 1,2
Record and analyse experimental data using suitable analytical methods.: 1,2
Assess experimental outcomes, identify sources of error, and propose enhancements for future experiments.: 1,2
Apply laboratory safety procedures during experiments.: 1
Communicate experimental results effectively through written reports and a presentation, using appropriate scientific terminology and formats.: 1,2

Study hours

Active learning hours:
72 hours laboratory, which includes sessions on error and data analysis, as well as scientific writing.
Independent study hours:
Lab Reports: 40 hours
Lab Portfolio: 20 hours
Self-Study: 18 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Report weighted 60%
Laboratory Report
At the end of each semester, students will submit a detailed lab report, approximately 1500 words in length. This report, which carries equal weight in assessment, will include relevant data, tables, graphs, and captions to document the execution and results of an assigned experiment.

2: Portfolio weighted 40%
Portfolio of laboratory activities
Assessment of laboratory diaries detailing work during laboratory sessions. Students will also produce a short (around 5 minutes) narrated presentation (choice from video or PowerPoint) on one of the laboratory experiments. Equivalent to 4000 words effort with a single formal submission date at the end of semester 2.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 04 December 2025