Postgraduate taught 

Nuclear & Environmental Physics MSc

Fundamentals of Sensing and Measurement PHYS5044

  • Academic Session: 2024-25
  • School: School of Physics and Astronomy
  • Credits: 20
  • Level: Level 5 (SCQF level 11)
  • Typically Offered: Semester 1
  • Available to Visiting Students: Yes
  • Collaborative Online International Learning: No

Short Description

Students will receive training in fundamental aspects of sensing and transduction across all modalities and the generalised concepts and parameters pertinent for transduction of physical phenomena into an electrical signal. The course will provide instruction in the characteristics of sensing and measurement across domains that will enable students to appraise and select appropriate task-specific sensing and imaging modalities and to be able to design and model high-level systems.

Timetable

TBC

Excluded Courses

None

Co-requisites

None

Assessment

1. Written examination

a. Unseen examination, comprising compulsory short questions and a choice of 1 from 2 long questions.

2. Written coursework

a. One individual assignment

3. Written reports on one problem-based group project and individual project

 

Description of "Other" Summative Assessment Method:

4. Oral presentation on problem-based project

Main Assessment In: December

Are reassessment opportunities available for all summative assessments? No

Reassessment of the main diet examination is normally available for students on PGT degree programmes if they do not achieve an overall course grade of C3 at their first attempt. Reassessment of the main diet examination is not normally available for students on Honours degree programmes.

 

Reassessment is not normally allowed, for practical reasons, for any other assessed components of coursework.

Course Aims

The aims of this course are:

 

a. To provide training in fundamental and general concepts in transduction and sensing

b. Familiarise the student with the salient characteristics of sensing across the main physical domains of electromagnetism (radio, optical), electrical, magnetic, ionising radiation, gravitational, biological, chemical

c. To develop understanding of transduction in electrical signals and signal conditioning

d. To provide understanding of the process of imaging with sensing

e. To provide training in solving problems associating with sensing and imaging

Intended Learning Outcomes of Course

By the end of this course students will be able to:

 

a. Propose and assess a range of solutions to a sensing and imaging problem against pertinent criteria

b. Analyse and evaluate data provided by a range of sensors and imaging systems

c. Demonstrate an understanding of the fundamental limitations of a range of sensing and imaging techniques.

d. Demonstrate an understanding of the physical origins of phenomena to be measured

Minimum Requirement for Award of Credits

Students must submit at least 75% by weight of the components (including examinations) of the course's summative assessment.