Queensland University of Technology

Senior Physics Lab

Esa Jaatinen

Student User Group

Historically strong applied flavour teach many vocational/service units core degree applied in nature

Current make up of 3rd year many double degrees & physics co-

majorsDIVERSE GROUP - different needs

Two main directions

Non core general interest in

physics want to know the

fundamentals interested in real

world physics applications

Core students interest in QUT

research potential post-

graduate students

Senior physics lab

Provides experimental support to many advanced physics units demos, pracs

home to PCB661 - 3rd year experimental physics consists 3 4 week pracs + 1 seminar

CHALLENGE TO CATER TO DIVERSE STUDENT GROUP

Undergrad mini-projects

Students have choice perform 4 week mini projects in research labs

PROs interact with potential post-grads generate research interest in students

CONs can be time intensive (supervision, design,..) educational quality is variable

Senior physics lab - pracs

Students can choose dedicated -recipe style pracs

PROs less time intensive for academic in charge more uniform educational standard

CONs students require less creativity to perform

Experiment - design

Context based provide scenario and seek to pull out the

physicsall based on real world applications

advanced conceptsCost kept to minimum

each set of equipment used for several pracs WDM gear used for waveguide prac

Outcomes of approach

Mini-projects generally attracts

core physics students

get a high percentage going onto honours

Dedicated pracs impressive facility -

some BEd students bring school groups

relevant applications covered

popular with students who want to do some physics