FY819: Introduction to Structure Studies using Large Scale Facilities (5 ECTS)

STADS: 07012501

Level
Master's level course

Teaching period
The course is offered in the spring semester.

Teacher responsible
Email: kloesgen@memphys.sdu.dk

Timetable
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Comment:
Aflyst F2018

Prerequisites:
A Bachelor’s degree, preferentially in Natural Sciences. Interested bachelors from Humanities are very welcome (archaeology, communication sciences).

Academic preconditions:
Students taking the course are expected to:

• have solid knowledge of basic elements of their study subject
• be able to acquire new knowledge and conduct literature search by use of electronic databases 
• be interested to deepen the specific knowledge of their previous education for its expansion towards LSF related studies
• be concerned about science communication

Course introduction
The Øresund area is going to host two of the most advanced Light Sources, ESS and MaxLAB. These facilities will provide state-of-the-art instrumentation for the study of structure and dynamics at high spatial and temporal resolution. First instruments will start working by 2019 and the full instrument suite for regular user service will be available by 2023. The course will provide awareness to the potential of Large Scale Facilities (LSF) and give an introduction to the use of X-rays and neutrons for the study of condensed matter. It addresses students of all disciplines (mostly natural sciences as physics , chemistry, bio- and health sciences, materials sciences and engineering, but also  students e.g. in archaeology, communication sciences, ect.) with an interest to explore advanced methods for the study of structure, composition, or dynamics of condensed systems at high resolution. Students will learn about the basic interaction mechanism of X-rays and neutrons with matter and then turn to typical applications by spectroscopic, scattering, and imaging methods. Course topics will address characteristic questions from soft and inorganic (magnetic) matter.  Systems discussed will include thin films, isolated and condensed macromolecules (proteins, polymers), composite functional materials. The course shall serve as a platform to explore the scientific potential and the socio-economic relevance of LSFs. An excursion with a site visit of the Lund / Malmö science campus will be considered.

The course builds on the basic special knowledge acquired during the bachelor studies of the specific subjects (physics, biosciences, economic geography, media studies ect.). This base will be supplemented by an intelligible introduction to the particular aspects of LSF experiments. Typical cases connected to the previous degree will be addressed, looking into scientific topics, potential industrial applications, and transfer of knowledge.

In relation to the competence profile of the degree it is the explicit focus of the course to:

• Give the competence to define problems that may be addressed by LSF experiments
• Give skills to plan and conduct LSF experiments
• Give knowledge and understanding of: 
• the scientific concepts behind LSF experiments
• the typical problems to be addressed by LSF experiments
• the potential and limits of LSF experiments
• transfer of knowledge about the use of advanced techniques to the solution of problems in materials science for application in product development
• transfer of knowledge to the general audience

Expected learning outcome
The learning objectives of the course is that the student demonstrates the ability to:

• think and work cross-disciplinary
• acquire in-depth new knowledge on the application of LSF methods
• prepares and contributes a seminar on a chosen (scientific) topic from within the course context
• contributes in the preparation of a course booklet by preparing a comprehensive text on the seminar topic 

Subject overview
The following main topics are contained in the course:

• introduction to X-ray and neutron LSF facilities, including instrumentation and methods
• introduction to typical scientific cases for the use of LSF instrumentation
• exploration of potential for new applications of LSF instrumentation
• science communication and knowledge transfer skills

Literature
There isn't any litterature for the course at the moment.

Website
This course uses e-learn (blackboard).

Prerequisites for participating in the exam
None

Assessment and marking:


Expected working hours
The teaching method is based on three phase model.
Intro phase: 8 hours
Skills training phase: 42 hours, hereof:
 - Tutorials: 30 hours
 - Excursion: 12 hours

Educational activities

• class meetings to discuss layout and contents of course booklet
• literature study for preparation of an individual (scientific) presentation
• teacher meetings for detail discussion
• assembly of individual seminar presentation in the form of a didactic powerpoint
• class discussion and adaptation of the topic for future booklet
• individual writing of a comprehensible article on the presentation topic - 10 pages
• the whole class contribution to editorial work for assembling a course booklet

Educational form
The training will consist of four introductory lectures on typical topics, one of them being contributed by a guest from large facility. Then, each student chooses a special theme on the use of great facilities, or specific methods as applied in large facilities. The chosen topic will be the worked on in home work, and details are clarified in dialogue form through questions, some in individual student / teacher meetings and some as common discussion during the class meetings. There are only few special lectures; instead there are joint meeting hours and seminar hours they are agreed in advance by the group. Hours are mostly a mix of open discussion and explanations and common dialogue about the assembly of a course booklet.
Attendance is mandatory for all seminars held by the course participants. The excursion gives an impression of the settings at large scale  facilities in terms of equipment, work condition, and access to the instruments. The joint project of assembling a  course booklet shall serve  to ensure that all the participants and their themes are kept connected.

Language
This course is taught in English.

Course enrollment
See deadline of enrolment.

Tuition fees for single courses
See fees for single courses.