Spring 2026 - PHYS 332W LA01
Advanced Physics Laboratory I (4)
Class Number: 6148
Delivery Method: In Person
Overview
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Course Times + Location:
Jan 5 – Apr 10, 2026: Tue, Thu, 1:30–4:20 p.m.
Burnaby
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Instructor:
Paul Haljan
phaljan@sfu.ca
1 778 782-7271
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Prerequisites:
PHYS 233; PHYS 285 or CHEM 260; both with a minimum grade of C-.
Description
CALENDAR DESCRIPTION:
Experiments investigating a range of physical phenomena such as Brownian motion, molecular order, chaotic dynamics, Doppler broadening of stellar spectra, and biophysical forces using techniques such as interference, optical trapping, and spectroscopy. Attention will also be given to more general skills, including experimental design, operating and troubleshooting experimental equipment, modeling of experimental results, data analysis, and the presentation of experimental results. Biological Physics students will do a selected set of experiments. Writing/Quantitative.
COURSE DETAILS:
Lecture: Thu 14:30-15:20
Lab: Tue 13:30-19:20 P9413, P9423, P8446, P8444.2
Grading
- Lab Performance 50%
- Writing Assignments 20%
- Formal Report 30%
Materials
MATERIALS + SUPPLIES:
Required text:
Measurements and their Uncertainties: A practical guide to modern error analysis
Authors: Ifan Hughes and Thomas Hase
ISBN: 9780199566334
*Students can purchase text from online retailer if e-book not available at SFU bookstore.
There won’t be an exam for this course, so please disregard the Department Undergraduate Notes below.
REQUIRED READING NOTES:
Your personalized Course Material list, including digital and physical textbooks, are available through the SFU Bookstore website by simply entering your Computing ID at: shop.sfu.ca/course-materials/my-personalized-course-materials.
Department Undergraduate Notes:
Students who cannot write their exam during the course's scheduled exam time must request accommodation from their instructor in writing, clearly stating the reason for this request, within one week of the final exam schedule being posted.
Registrar Notes:
ACADEMIC INTEGRITY: YOUR WORK, YOUR SUCCESS
At SFU, you are expected to act honestly and responsibly in all your academic work. Cheating, plagiarism, or any other form of academic dishonesty harms your own learning, undermines the efforts of your classmates who pursue their studies honestly, and goes against the core values of the university.
To learn more about the academic disciplinary process and relevant academic supports, visit:
- SFU’s Academic Integrity Policy: S10-01 Policy
- SFU’s Academic Integrity website, which includes helpful videos and tips in plain language: Academic Integrity at SFU
RELIGIOUS ACCOMMODATION
Students with a faith background who may need accommodations during the term are encouraged to assess their needs as soon as possible and review the Multifaith religious accommodations website. The page outlines ways they begin working toward an accommodation and ensure solutions can be reached in a timely fashion.