What's It All About, Alfie?

So what's this blog all about?
This is my third blog, the first was about SXR103, and the second was about SXR208.

This blog is about my experiences on the Open University course SXR207, 'Physics By Experiment'.

Summary

This one-week residential school provides hands-on experience of practical techniques and experiments in physics, in well-equipped laboratories under professional supervision. It complements the course The physical world (S207), but also stands by itself as a fascinating introduction to experimental physics. Before the school you’ll work through a course book introducing experimental work in physics and handling experimental data, and there’ll be an assignment to complete afterwards. The school will probably be held in Durham, with a choice of dates in July and August – register early if you have a preference, as unfortunately we can’t always offer your first choice.

Course content

During the school, you’ll complete three one-day experiments and select a further day’s experimental work from a list of shorter experiments. For most of the experiments you will be working in pairs, supervised and assisted by tutors; each tutor will be responsible for about ten students. You will be working in an academic environment, meeting students with similar interests but from a wide range of backgrounds. This is an intellectual climate that most students find invigorating.

As well as carrying out the laboratory experiments, you will have the opportunity to attend tutorials, lectures and workshops on various physics topics.

Before the school you will study the Physics by Experiment Practical Handbook, which gives advice about various aspects of experimental work, including how to maintain a lab notebook, how to collect data, and how to handle random and systematic experimental uncertainties. There will also be background information to read about the physics of the experiments you will be performing at the school. After the school you will be asked to complete a written assignment. This will typically include a write-up of one of the experiments, as well as questions testing your broader understanding of the knowledge and skills you will have acquired both at the residential school and by studying the Practical Handbook.

The school will be held at a UK university (usually Durham) during July/August. You will be asked to choose your preferred week when you register for the course. Places are limited and allocated on a ‘first come, first served’ basis, so you should register as early as you can.

Entry

The course is appropriate for anyone taking physics or physical sciences courses (either with the Open University or elsewhere) who would like an introduction to laboratory-based experimental physics. It complements the 60-point Level 2 course The physical world (S207), and all students on that course are strongly encouraged to take SXR207 also. If you have any doubt about the suitability of the course, please contact our Student Registration & Enquiry Service.