• Time: The schedule will be determined by the instructor of the course, based on the availability of the equipment.


• Location: Physics labs, including MC H203, MC H303, MC H305, and MC H307.

• What Brock calendar entry says:
  
  • An experimental course that focuses on sample preparation. Projects may include the synthesis of ceramic materials and fabrication of thin films of these materials, nano particles of ceramic materials prepared by methods such as sol-gel and solid-state reactions, alloys and amorphous materials.
  
  

• Prerequisite(s)
  • Students must have completed either PHYS 5P79 successfully or obtain the instructor's permission.
  
  

• What does student need to bring into the course?
  • This course is designed for students with a strong passion for working as experimental physicists. Those enrolled in this course should be capable of conducting independent research by searching for scientific concepts through the internet and text books and obtaining practical ideas. Furthermore, students are expected to possess the ability to plan and design their experiments effectively. In the event of unsuccessful attempts, they should be able to adapt and switch to alternative logical plans to continue their scientific investigations.
  
  

• Course Goals

  The objective of the couese PHYS 5P81 is to achieve the following:

  • Learn to synthesize various types of materials, including bulk, thin film, and alloy.
  
  
  • Gain experience in the characterization of the prepared samples and study their properties.
  
  
  • Enhance scientific writing skills and effectively present scientific achivements.
  
  
  • Finally, develop capabilities for working in the industry or research areas.
  
  

  In summary, the aim of this course is to provide students with knowledge and skills in material synthesis, characterization, scientific communication, and preparation for professional work in the industry or research sector.

  
  

• Textbook
  • Synthesizing a material depends on several factors, such as the type, size, shape, and intended application of the material. Due to this complexity, researchers may need to extensively review various references to determine the optimal conditions and methods for synthesis. In cases where the initial attempts are unsuccessful, modifications to the synthesis method might be necessary based on theoretical knowledge and previous experiences. This iterative process of refinement and adjustment is crucial to achieve succesful material synthesis. Hence, there is no specific individual references assigned for this course.
  
  

• Communication with the Instructor
  • your instructor operates with an open-door policy, allowing you to seek one-on-one assisstance and ask questions at any time, except during restricted hours.

Note: To receive a grade in this course, it is mandatory to compelete all lab assignments and attend all lab sessions and cooperate well with your laboratory fellow.

This is a provisional list, drawn from past experience. Overtime, some topics may be omitted, while others might be introduced on yearly basis.

• Synthesis and structural properties of a bulk ceramic
  
  • Synthesis of La_(1-x)(Sr/Ca)_xMnO₃ via conventional solid-state reaction method
  • Compositional analysis of the prepared sample using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)
  • Study of morphology of the prepared sample using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
  • Elemental analysis of the prepared sample using Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS)
  
  
• Fabrication and structural properties of thin films
  
  • Preparation of thin films of La_(1-x)(Sr/Ca)_xMnO₃ using Pulsed Laser deposition (PLD)
  • The investigation of the orientation properties of thin films
  
  
• Synthesis and structural properties of a superconductor
  
  • Synthesis of a binary superconductor using arc-melting fabrication method
  • Compositional analysis of the prepared sample using X-Ray Diffraction (XRD)
  • Study of morphology of the prepared sample using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM)
  • Elemental analysis of the prepared sample using Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS)
  
  

  After completing each characterization, students are required to interpret their results accurately based on scientific evidence.

• The deadline for withdrawing from the course 5P81 (2024 Spring D01-S01) without academic penalty is June 14, 2024. For additional important dates, please refer to Dates by Academic Term.

Outlined below are the expectations and responsibilities we have for you.

• Students are required to attend all laboratory sessions and schedulled lecture according to Brock's Attendance Requirements


• All students must be familiar with and adhere to the rules outlined in Brock University's Academic Integrity Policy. Additionally, all graduate students must engage in their studies with the utmost integrity in accordance with Brock's integrity policy.


• Graduate students undertaking an experimental thesis project or other experimental Physics courses, are obligated to register for Health and Safety online Brightspace Training before attending to the 5P81 lab.

Note: Individuals who have compeleted any of PHYS 5P79, or PHYS 5P80, is expected to hold valid certificates for all necessary Health and Safety courses obtained prior to enrollment.



• All the lab reports must be written in LaTeX. Students can access to the Physics Template from here.


• Late lab report will Not be accepted.


• Students are responsible for their own learning. While the experiments are designed to guide and assist them, the real effort of mastering the course material lies with student themselves. To maximize their learning experience, it is crucial to dedicate time to update your knowledge with recent research achivements in your field. Consistent reading, studying, and working on their project, helps solidify student's learning into long-term memory. This ensures student to build upon their knowledge and skills in their future career.

The University is committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment for all students and will adhere to the Human Rights principles that ensure respect for dignity, individualized accommodation, inclusion and full participation. The University provides a wide range of resources to assist students, as follows:

• If you require academic accommodation because of a disability or an ongoing health or mental health condition, please contact Student Accessibility Services at [email protected] or 905 688 5550 ext. 3240.


• The Student Absence Self-Declaration Form is intended to replace the need for a medical note and supporting documentation from a health care provider when, in the case of a short-term medical condition or personal events or circumstances beyond the control of the student which seriously impair the student’s ability to meet academic obligations, a student wishes to seek an academic accommodation. The request is to be made in good faith by the student requesting the academic consideration due to a short-term condition that impacts their academic activities (e.g., participation in academic classes, delay in assignments, etc.). The period of this short-term medical condition or circumstance for academic accommodation must fall within a 72-hour (3-day) period. This period includes weekends. The form needs to be submitted to your instructor either during your brief absence or, in cases where you are too unwell, within 24 hours of the end of your 3-day brief absence. The form may be used for medical conditions (including physical or mental health concerns) or personal events or circumstances (e.g., housing insecurity, gender-based and sexual violence). The form may be submitted by email or within your course site in Brightspace, if this option has been activated by your instructor. Note 1: The Student Absence Self-Declaration Form may only be used once per course per term. Additional uses are only permitted at the discretion of the instructor. Note 2: In cases where a student has a medical circumstance that will impact academic activities that exceeds 72 hours (3 days), or in the case of a request for a deferred exam, the Brock University Medical Verification Form must be submitted. Medical Verification Form (extended period/exam deferral) In cases where a student requests academic consideration due to a medical circumstance that exceeds 72 hours (3 days) and will impact their academic activities (e.g., participation in academic classes, delay in assignments, etc.), or in the case of an exam deferral, the Medical Verification Form (Extended Period/Exam Defferal) Form must be signed by the student and the health professional. as per process set out in Faculty Handbook III:9.4.5.


• If you are experiencing mental health concerns, contact the Student Wellness and Accessibility Centre. Good2Talk is a service specifically for post-secondary students, available 24/7, 365 days a year, and provides anonymous assistance: Visit the Good2Talk Website or call 1-866-925-5454. For information on wellness, coping and resiliency, visit Brock’s Mental Health Website.


• The Campus Assessment, Response, Education (CARE) and Connect Team aims to support any student, with any concern, at anytime. Students experiencing challenges related to health and wellness, academic success, finances, or any other concern are promptly connected to a Case Coordinator, who will then assist with creating a personalized support plan. Students can Self-Refer to CARE and Connect and all community may use the Connect Referral Form.


• If you require academic accommodation on religious grounds, you should make a formal, written request to your instructor(s) for alternative dates and/or means of satisfying requirements. Such requests should be made during the first two weeks of any given academic term, or as soon as possible after a need for accommodation is known to exist.


• If you have been affected by sexual violence, the Human Rights & Equity Office offers support, information, reasonable accommodations, and resources through the Sexual Violence Support & Education Coordinator. For information on sexual violence, visit Brock's Sexual Assault and Harassment Policy or contact the Sexual Violence Support & Response Coordinator at [email protected] or 905 688 5550 ext. 4387.


• If you feel you have experienced discrimination or harassment on any of the above grounds, including racial, gender or other forms of discrimination, contact the Human Rights and Equity Office at [email protected].