Physical science
Offered in even-numbered years
BS BC BP
Mr Brian McEniery
6 points * Second semester * 3 hours of lectures and one 3-hour laboratory session per week * Gippsland/Distance * Prerequisites: GAS2382
This subject continues the spectroscopic theme of GAS 2382 (Physical science) by examining the theory of operation and practical applications of x-ray fluorescent spectroscopy (XRF) (30%) and energy dispersive analysis (EDX) (10%) for analysis of materials. The properties of fluids and fluid flow are also studied (10%). The remainder of the subject (50%) introduces the fundamentals of microprocessors and microcomputing systems. The hardware and software used in personal computers to acquire data from and to control scientific instruments is also studied. Each topic has an independent series of lectures and associated laboratory exercises. The topics are individually assessed and the aggregate is the subject result. Distance education students must attend a vacation week to complete laboratory exercises
Assessment
Subject tests and assignments: 70% * Laboratory work: 30%
Prescribed texts
Gupta S A and Gupta T P (eds) PC interfacing for laboratory data acquisition and process control Instrument Society of America, 1989
Recommended texts
Carr J J Designing microprocessor-based instrumentation Reston, 1982
Cullity B D Elements of X-ray diffraction Addison-Wesley, 1978
Malmstadt H V and others Electronics and instrumentation for scientists Benjamin-Cummings, 1981
Wang C H and others Radiotracer methodology in the biological, environmental and physical sciences Prentice-Hall, 1975
Whiston C X-ray methods Wiley, 1987
Zaks R Programming the Z80 3rd edn, Sybex, 1980