PHYS 523 :: Physics Illinois :: University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Home Page: Instrumentation and Applied Physics Project

Physics 523 course description

This course provides students with the opportunity to engage in a hands-on, technical project focused on instrumentation and measurement. The course will involve collaborative work on projects that address real-world technical challenges, utilizing a range of laboratory tools, instrumentation, and analysis techniques. The specific projects will vary depending on industry needs and may encompass a variety of technical areas, all requiring thorough planning, execution, and reporting.

Students will meet twice a week for three-hour sessions, where they will collaborate on their projects, present their work, and receive feedback from both peers and instructors. The projects demand teamwork, leadership, and technical expertise. The different topics available are shown in the Topics page. 

Graduate Students Responsibilities

Graduate students will engage in a comprehensive two-semester project, where they will take on a leadership role in guiding the project’s direction and execution. This role will involve both technical and managerial responsibilities, with an emphasis on leadership in coordinating team efforts and making strategic decisions.

Key Responsibilities:

1.     Leadership Role: Lead the project, including overseeing planning, resource allocation, and procurement decisions.

2.     Written Project Proposal: Develop a detailed project proposal outlining the goals, budget, timeline, risks, and technical uncertainties, and guide the team in developing the proposal.

3.     Progress Reports: Oversee the preparation of formal written progress reports to ensure that milestones are met and the project stays on track.

4.     Electronic Logbook Entries: Record at least one entry per session in an electronic logbook with detailed descriptions of ongoing work.

5.     Oral Presentations: Lead two oral presentations per semester to update the course staff and peers on progress and strategic decisions.

6.     Final Report and Presentation: Provide a comprehensive written project report and deliver a final oral presentation that summarizes the project outcomes and the leadership role played in its success.

 

Technical skills graduate students will focus on developing in:

•       Project management, including leadership, budgeting, scheduling, and resource allocation.

•       Designing and constructing technical systems, including embedded systems, sensors, and hardware components.

•       Performing simulations with professional tools and fabricating mechanical components.

•       Conducting testing, troubleshooting, and analyzing data to propose future improvements.

 

Undergraduate Students Responsibilities

Undergraduate students will focus on the technical execution of the project, with responsibilities centered on implementing the planned design, conducting experiments, and ensuring that technical tasks are completed accurately. The undergraduate version of the course spans only one semester.

 

Key Responsibilities:

 

1.     Technical Execution: Contribute to the technical aspects of the project, including building, testing, and troubleshooting components.

2.     Leadership Role in Subproject: Take a leadership role within specific tasks or subprojects, ensuring the accurate execution of technical work.

3.     Progress Reports: Provide three written progress reports detailing their technical contributions and updates.

4.     Electronic Logbook Entries: Record at least one entry per session in an electronic logbook with detailed descriptions of ongoing work.

5.     Final Oral Report: Present the results of their subproject in a final oral presentation, focusing on the technical work completed.

 

Technical skills undergraduate students will focus on mastering:
 

•       Building and testing components of the project.

•       Integrating sensors and embedded systems for data acquisition.

•       Analyzing experimental data and presenting technical findings.

Meeting times

Students will spend approximately six hours per week (Tuesday, Thursday 1:00 - 3:50) in lecture and faculty-supervised laboratory work. Additionally, individual project groups will have informal conferences with course staff throughout both semesters as necessary.

Please bring to every class:

• A laptop computer and power adapter
• A physical paper notebook or else a tablet on which you can write, store, and retrieve handwritten notes

We will distribute reading assignments at the beginning of the semester. 

Academic integrity and our policy on the use of artificial intelligence tools

Generative AI systems, such as ChatGPT, can be useful tools to help organize your project tasks, brainstorm solutions, and debug issues. You are encouraged to use AI as a resource to clarify technical concepts, refine ideas, and troubleshoot problems—similar to consulting a peer, TA, or instructor. However, AI should not be used to directly generate solutions or write code for you.

 

If you use generative AI, you must credit it by including a comment or note that identifies the AI as a source and briefly describes how it was used (e.g., debugging a function, refining an approach, or organizing tasks). This ensures transparency and academic integrity.

 

The goal of this course is to foster independent problem-solving and critical thinking in complex technical projects. While AI can support your work, it must not replace the learning and problem-solving process. Using AI to circumvent these steps or relying on pre-generated solutions hinders your growth and is considered academically dishonest. As with all academic tools, AI should be used responsibly to support, not replace, your learning.