Course manual 2020/2021
Course content
During the Nikhef project, students will design and build their own particle detector, use this detector to take data and analyse the collected data. Every year, it will be a different detector suitable for a particular measurement. It can be a water Cherenkov detector to detect cosmic muons, a scintillator detector to measure the velocity of charged particles or a calorimeter to measure the energy of particles.
It is the intention that students will experience the working environment of (astro)particle physicists. It is the responsibility of the participating students to define and assign tasks and make a planning for the full process of the design of a particle detector.
Study materials
Other
Objectives
- The student can organize, plan and divide work for designing constructing, simulating, and reading out a particle detector in collaboration with other students;
- The student can design an experiment to answer a scientific question.
- The student can communicate new findings, progress, and problems encountered effectively to fellow students.
- The student demonstrates safe handling of laboratory equipment and work sites for both people and equipment.
- The student is able to consult manuals and tutorials to operate both lab equipment and software for modeling (astro)particle physics detectors.
- The student uses lab equipment correctly to test, calibrate, and commission a detector and its components.
- The student is able to simulate a particle detector and compare simulations to measurements.
- The student can write data acquisition and reconstruction software for an (astro)particle physics detector.
- The student is able to use international professional literature to defend the goal of an (astro)particle physics experiment.
- The student can evaluate an (astro)particle physics experiment and make recommendations for improvements or additions.
- The student can report on the design, setup, simulation, commissioning, operation, and results of an (astro)particle physics experiment.
- The student has an understanding of different ethical aspects in the modern scientific process.
Teaching methods
- Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis
- Computer lab session/practical training
Working group of students of the same cohort. Due to the nature of the project, you will not be working on the project every week of the period. Please contact the coordinator for more information.
Learning activities
Activity | Number of hours |
Zelfstudie | 168 |
Attendance
Requirements concerning attendance (OER-B).
In addition to, or instead of, classes in the form of lectures, the elements of the master’s examination programme often include a practical component as defined in article A-1.2 of part A. The course catalogue contains information on the types of classes in each part of the programme. Attendance during practical components is mandatory.
Additional requirements for this course:
Active participation and self-organization.
Assessment
Fraud and plagiarism
The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl
Course structure
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The schedule for this course is published on DataNose.
Coordinator