Wednesday and Thursday.

Wednesday we did some work on the projects. After break we had a talk from George who gave us a talk on relativity. Then Ed talked about partical physics.We spent the rest of the afternoon after lunch working on our projects.

First thing Thursday we had our last lecture from Ed on partical physics. The rest of the day we spent finishing off our research projects in preparation for the presentation today (Friday)

Week two- Day Two. Projects!

The vast majority of tuesday was spent on projects in the computer lab. Where we started researching proberly. After break we had a talks from Vincent on quantum mechanics and Mike on electrochemistry. We went down to the first year lab, saw loads of equipment and got our pictures taken after lunch.

Week two- Computers and Research

The majority of Monday was spent in the computer lab. First thing we got a talk from Ian on Computational physics and then were brought up to the computer room to be introduced to matlab. Then began the research projects. After lunch Vincent came in to talk to three of us about quantum computing and cryptography and the rest continued with their projects.

Day Five- Sensors and Modern Physics.

Friday Ed took us through his area of study- sensors. And we realised we actually know a bit more than we think when it comes to them, e.g. thermometers. We got five puzzles to do after break which were figuring out why things happen using our knowledge of physics. After lunch Ed took us through modern physics touching on relativity. For the final part of the day we worked on an experiment in a lab- photoelectric effect.

Day Four- Geometrical Optics & M.S.S.I.

Thursday was based on light and optics. We started with a talk on geometrical optics from Ed and then went down to the lab to try figure out how a microscope works- at its basics. With two convex lenses, a light source, an object and screen. It didn’t work out. So after another talk and lunch we tried again. This time it did work. We split up into three groups and tried different experiments. Observing Newton’s rings, using a spectrometer to examine what gas was within the bulb, and examining different diffraction results because of different objects. Finally, we finished the day with a tour of Materials and Surface Science Institute., (M.S.S.I.).

Day Two and Three. Mechanics, Electronics and Semiconductors.

Tuesday began with how you use power point and word. Our mechanics talk basically covered what’s in the leaving cert but just with more depth. The lab experiment was on Hooke’s Law and we also saw a demonstration of simple harmonic motion. Martin gave us a talk on renewable energy and biomedical physics. Ed finished the day off with a talk on mechanics in industry.

Wednesday was based around electronics and semiconductors. We got an electronics talk off Ed first thing in the morning and how semiconductors work and why off Vincent. We built a circuit on a bread board, many of us for the first time, in the early afternoon and soldered a circuit in the evening.

Day One of The Applied Physics Course, 2007

Monday started with an introduction to the course, a talk from Ed and a quick go at concept mapping. Our tour of the library lasted the bones of an hour where we learned how to use all the resources there. After a talk with George on what physics actually is it was time for lunch. And having completed an experiment in the lab and analysed our results on excel it was time to go home.

Day Five - Finishing up and installing some new computers!

My final day was less hectic than the others, everything was pretty much finished up and most of the day was spent on YouTube watching videos of Billy Corgan and Eric Clapton! For the last part of the day, it was my task to install three new computers and to re-assemble two others in the Physics Computer Lab.
At the end of the day,the head of the Department came to visit me and I was presented with a U.L. pen(in a snazzy case!)!
I had a wicked week and I would like to thank John for hanging out with me for the week, Maria for helping to organise what I was going to be doing, Jackie Kennedy for organising my week's work experience, and George Mullen for getting me into the University in the first place!