PHYSICS AND INSTRUMENTATION

Year	No.	Offer	Mode	Description			Cred. Pts
96	65901 	S2  	X 	PHYSICS & INSTRUMENTATION 	1.00

Contents

• Staffing
• Rationale
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Texts
• Recommended References
• Student Workload
• Assessment Details
• Other Requirements

STAFFING:

RATIONALE:

In any instrumentation system it is possible to break the system into components, viz: sensors, transformers, transducers, signal conditioners, display units. It is proposed that a better understanding of instrumentation systems, in general, will occur if students have an understanding of the physics and physical principles of the components of the system.

SYNOPSIS:

This  unit  seeks to revise basic physics and develop an understanding
of  stress, strain and elastic properties and transducers that may  be
used  in the measurement of these and other physical properties,  such
as  pressure,  density and temperature. The use of strain  gauges,  in
conjunction with a Wheatstone Bridge is covered in some detail  as  an
example  of  a versatile transducer. System performance  in  terms  of
static and dynamic response and the influence of environmental factors
is  discussed  in relation to making measurements that are  sufficient
for practical purposes.

OBJECTIVES:

On successful completion of this unit students will be able to:

1. To introduce students to the theory and practice of measurement techniques of certain non electrical quantities via a consideration of the physical principles underlying the components of instrumentation systems.

TOPICS:

 Description                                                    Weighting(%)

Introduction to Measurement Systems                                   10.00

Electrical Theory                                                     10.00

Stress and Strain                                                     10.00

Strain Gauges                                                         5.00

Pressure Measurements                                                 10.00

Temperature Measurements                                              10.00

Flow Measurement. Viscosity.                                          5.00

Physical Optics, Interference and Diffraction                         10.00

Quantum and Nuclear Physics                                           10.00

Measurement Systems                                                   10.00

Signals                                                               10.00

TEXT and MATERIALS to be PURCHASED:

RECOMMENDED REFERENCE MATERIALS:

Nil

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

	ACTIVITY				HOURS
Report Writing                                	26
Residential School                            	12
Directed Study                                	40
Private Study                                 	94
Examinations                                  	3

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

No	*F/S	Marks		Due		Description					Wtg(%)		LBL
1 	S 	50.00   	16/08/96	ASSIGNMENT 1                            	5.00    	Y
2 	S 	50.00   	06/09/96	ASSIGNMENT 2                            	5.00    	Y
3 	S 	50.00   	20/09/96	ASSIGNMENT 3                            	5.00    	Y
4 	S 	200.00  	18/10/96	RES SCHOOL LAB AND PROJECT REPORTS      	20.00   	Y
5 	S 	50.00   	01/11/96	ASSIGNMENT 4                            	5.00    	Y
6 	S 	30.00   	END S2  	PART A OF 3 HOUR EXAMINATION            	18.00   	N
7 	S 	20.00   	END S2  	PART B OF 3 HOUR EXAMINATION            	42.00   	N

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1    Students  must attend a resdential school and submit a report  on
     laboratory  exercises and project work. To be awarded  a  passing
     grade  students must normally gain at least 60% of  the  possible
     marks for these reports.
2    The  final  examination consists of two parts -  a  closed  book,
     multichoice  question  type  and an open  book,  problem  solving
     section. The closed book part is worth 30% of the marks  for  the
     examination.
3    Because  it is normal practice to release model answers  promptly
     after the due date, the penalty for late submission of assignment
     work  will  normally be the loss of all marks for the assignment.
     Late  assignments and reports will be marked, BUT the  mark  will
     not  normally  be credited to the student when determining  total
     marks and final grades.
4    Grades  of  C,  B, A and HD will be assigned by the Examiner  and
     Moderator  following an inspection of a histogram  of  the  marks
     gained by the students.
5    Students  must  attend the Residential School with  their  Course
     group   in  September/October.  Laboratory  and  project  reports
     arising  from  the School are due 2 weeks after  the  Residential
     School.