How do we know what we know, and how well do we know it? Measurement underpins our understanding of the physical world, and great care must be taken in the design, operation, and analysis of measurement systems to avoid hoodwinking ourselves. In this course, taught by experts, you will learn crucial techniques in the design and operation of measurement systems and apparatuses. Along the way, you’ll learn how to avoid common pitfalls that confound many experiments. Topics covered will include: feedback control, statistical analysis and limit theorems, types of noise and mitigation strategies, types of measurements and sensors, signal conditioning and processing, measurement limits. Key concepts and systems-level considerations will be illustrated with case-studies of sophisticated instrumentation and measurement systems.
This course is co-taught with undergraduate students but assessed separately.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:- Understand and be able to describe the principles of scientific measurement;
- Identify appropriate mathematical and statistical techniques and apply them to scientific data;
- Analyse a measurement system;
- Evaluate the reliability of a measurement.
Indicative Assessment
Assessment will be based on:- Assignments 30% (LO1-4)
- Regular Quizzes 10% (LO 1-2)
- Labs 20% (LO1-4)
- Exam 40% (LO1-4)
In response to COVID-19: Please note that Semester 2 Class Summary information (available under the classes tab) is as up to date as possible. Changes to Class Summaries not captured by this publication will be available to enrolled students via Wattle.
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
120 hours of total student learning time, including 42 hours of lectures and drop-in sessions, 6 hours of laboratory work spread across the semester and individual study.Requisite and Incompatibility
Preliminary Reading
Peter Saulson, Fundamentals of Interferometric Gravitational Wave Detection (any edition)
Alan S. Morris, Measurement & Instrumentation Principles (most recent edition)
Robert B. Northrup, Introduction to Instrumentation and Measurements, (most recent edition)
Assumed Knowledge
Basic computing, Fourier analysis, basic linear algebra. 12 units of university level mathematics for physicists and engineers. 12 units of first year university advanced level physics.Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $4050 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $5760 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3544 | 24 Feb 2020 | 02 Mar 2020 | 08 May 2020 | 05 Jun 2020 | In Person | N/A |
