PX3522: Advanced Practical Physics for Astrophysics

PX3522: ADVANCED PRACTICAL PHYSICS FOR ASTROPHYSICS (2026-2027)

Last modified: 15 Oct 2026 11:46

Course Overview

This course further develops your experimental techniques exploring theories in optics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, materials science and astrophysics. You will carry out experiments, analyse data and present results in writing and verbally. You will work with Michelson interferometers, sensors, instrumentation and computers. You will use our telescope, and process astronomical data. This course prepares you for an experimental scientist’s work after university.

Course Details

Study Type	Undergraduate	Level	3
Term	Second Term	Credit Points	15 credits (7.5 ECTS credits)
Campus	Aberdeen	Sustained Study	No
Co-ordinators	Lecturer Claudiu Giuraniuc

What courses & programmes must have been taken before this course?

Either PX2505 Practical Optics and Electronics (Passed) or PX2513 Practical Optics and Electronics for Physics and Astrophysics (Passed)
Any Undergraduate Programme
Programme Level 3

What other courses must be taken with this course?

None.

What courses cannot be taken with this course?

PX3510 Advanced Practical Physics (Studied)

Are there a limited number of places available?

Course Description

This course consists of a series of practical classes linked to third year lecture courses and expanding on the material taught in the previous years. Experiments will cover astronomy, optics, properties of matter and computer modelling and will introduce applications as well as reinforcing the principles of Physics. The course will also introduce topics that will be covered more formally later in the Honours programme.

Contact Teaching Time

Information on contact teaching time is available from the course guide.

Teaching Breakdown

More Information about Week Numbers

Details, including assessments, may be subject to change until 21st September 2026 for Term 1 and Full Year courses and 8th January 2027 for Term 2 courses.

Summative Assessments

Group Presentation and Individual Oral Exam

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	20
Assessment Weeks	34	Feedback Weeks	39	Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	15-minute group presentation and individual oral exam. Feedback provided by VLE shortly after presentation. Students will present in the groups in which they’ve undertaken lab experiments but will answer questions individually and the mark will be based on individual performance.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Conceptual	Analyse	Interpreting data and results correctly.
Factual	Analyse	Analyse the goals of experiments to identify what must be done.
Factual	Evaluate	Critical analysis of work.
Factual	Remember	Recall physics principles and experimental techniques correctly.
Factual	Understand	Demonstrate understanding of the problem.
Procedural	Evaluate	Implement error analysis appropriately.

Lab Book

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	60
Assessment Weeks	40	Feedback Weeks		Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	The lab book is produced as work is carried out, and so will not take a substantial amount of the student’s time outside the lab. The lab book will be submitted and comments provided by the lecturer. Throughout the lab, informal feedback will be provided to guide student in this work.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Conceptual	Analyse	Interpreting data and results correctly.
Factual	Analyse	Analyse the goals of experiments to identify what must be done.
Factual	Evaluate	Critical analysis of work.
Factual	Remember	Recall physics principles and experimental techniques correctly.
Factual	Understand	Demonstrate understanding of the problem.
Procedural	Apply	Execute experiments correctly.
Procedural	Evaluate	Implement error analysis appropriately.
Reflection	Create	Produce coherent lab diary and report.

Report: Individual

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting	20
Assessment Weeks	40	Feedback Weeks		Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	2,000-word report. Submission via TurnItIn, marked with written comments.

Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Conceptual	Analyse	Interpreting data and results correctly.
Factual	Analyse	Analyse the goals of experiments to identify what must be done.
Factual	Evaluate	Critical analysis of work.
Factual	Remember	Recall physics principles and experimental techniques correctly.
Factual	Understand	Demonstrate understanding of the problem.
Procedural	Evaluate	Implement error analysis appropriately.
Reflection	Create	Produce coherent lab diary and report.

Formative Assessment

There are no assessments for this course.

Resit Assessments

Resubmission of failed element(s)

Assessment Type	Summative	Weighting
Assessment Weeks		Feedback Weeks	Look up Week Numbers
Feedback	Resubmission of failed elements (pass marks will be carried forward). If failed, the group presentation mark will be discounted.

Learning Outcomes

Sorry, we don't have this information available just now. Please check the course guide on or with the Course Coordinator
Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome

Course Learning Outcomes

Knowledge Level	Thinking Skill	Outcome
Factual	Remember	Recall physics principles and experimental techniques correctly.
Factual	Analyse	Analyse the goals of experiments to identify what must be done.
Conceptual	Analyse	Interpreting data and results correctly.
Procedural	Apply	Execute experiments correctly.
Factual	Understand	Demonstrate understanding of the problem.
Procedural	Evaluate	Implement error analysis appropriately.
Factual	Evaluate	Critical analysis of work.
Reflection	Create	Produce coherent lab diary and report.

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