Authorised by Academic Registrar, April 1996
Objectives On the completion of this subject students will be able to develop programs in Basic and assembly language to acquire data and control a simple process; understand communication modes within personal computers and between computers and peripheral devices; utilise computers to acquire and analyse data from sensors and other instruments; understand on/off and continuous process control fundamentals; understand the physical principles of x-ray analysis and be proficient in the safe use of x-ray equipment for analyses; examine techniques of quantitative x-ray analysis; appreciate the physics of fluid flow and its application to science and technology; understand the principles and practice of energy dispersive x-ray analysis techniques.
Synopsis 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 residential school to complete laboratory exercises
Assessment Subject tests and assignments: 70% + Laboratory work: 30%