FYS3231 – Sensors and Measurement Technology

Course content

The course introduces the main kinds of sensors and the physical principles behind different sensing mechanisms, data handling, practical aspects of measuring and discussion of limitations and error sources. Examples of how to include a sensor in a practical experimental set-up are also given. The course requires active participation of the students.

Learning outcome

After having completed the course:

• you will be familiar with the main types of sensors.
• you will know the physical principles utilized in the different kinds of sensors.
• you can calculate the transfer function of a simple amplifier system connected to the sensor
• you know how to specify a sensor
• you should be able to discuss limitations and sources of errors in a measuring system.
• you have learned about scientific tools like the publishing of results and citing scientific sources.

Admission to the course

Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.

Special admission requirements

In addition to fulfilling the Higher Education Entrance Qualification, applicants have to meet the following special admission requirements:

• Mathematics R1 (or Mathematics S1 and S2) + R2

And in addition one of these:

• Physics (1+2)
• Chemistry (1+2)
• Biology (1+2)
• Information technology (1+2)
• Geosciences (1+2)
• Technology and theories of research (1+2)

The special admission requirements may also be covered by equivalent studies from Norwegian upper secondary school or by other equivalent studies (in Norwegian).

Formal prerequisite knowledge

The following courses must be completed before the project work in FYS3231:

• HMS0503 – Laboratory Safety
• HMS0505 – Electricity Safety

Recommended previous knowledge

• MAT1100 – Calculus
• MAT1110 – Calculus and Linear Algebra
• MAT1120 – Linear Algebra
• IN1900 – Introduction to Programming with Scientific Applications
• FYS1120 – Electromagnetism
• FYS1210 – Elementary Electronics with Project Work

Even if the above courses are not mandatory, they cover a large portion of the necessary knowledge. It is expected that the students know the following concepts as they will be used, but not taught:

• Complex number math
• Programming in C (Arduino)
• Simple data-processing (Python, Matlab or similar)
• Electromagnetism
• Analysis of simple electric circuits (keywords: Ohm, Kirchhoff, Thevenin, Northon, superposition, opamp-circuits)

Overlapping courses

• 10 credits overlap with FYS4231 – Sensors and Measurement Technology.
• 10 credits overlap with FYS3230 – Sensors and measurement technology (continued).

Teaching

Mandatory:

• First lecture is mandatory. If you are unable to attend, the Department has to be informed in advance (e-mail studieinfo@fys.uio.no), or else you will lose your place in the course.
• First laboratory exercise is mandatory. If you are unable to attend, the Department has to be informed in advance (e-mail studieinfo@fys.uio.no), or else you will lose your place in the course.
• It is mandatory to attend at least 50% of the lectures and 50% of the laboratory exercises. There are two mandatory assignments.

The course spans a full semester with this teaching each week:

• 2 hours of lectures with group assignments
• 4 hours of laboratory exercises with group assignments.
• A lot of the teaching happens in groups of 3.
• There is a fluid border between lectures and lab.
• One or two guest lectures.
• Subject of the week is announced beforehand, and it is expected that the students are prepared.

Regulations for mandatory assignments can be found here.

As the teaching involves laboratory and/or fieldwork, you should consider taking out a separate travel and personal risk insurance. Read about your insurance coverage as a student.

Examination

• Final oral or written exam which counts 100 % towards the final grade. An oral or written exam is decided based on the number of students who register for the course.

• This course has mandatory exercises that must be approved before you can sit the final exam.

• The requirements for mandatory lecture and laboratory exercises must be met before you can sit the final exam.

It will also be counted as one of the three attempts to sit the exam for this course if you sit the exam for one of the following courses:

• FYS3231 – Sensors and Measurement Technology
• FYS3230 – Sensors and measurement technology (continued)

Examination support material

No examination support material is allowed for the exam.

Language of examination

Subjects taught in English will only offer the exam paper in English.

You may write your examination paper in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

Grading scale

Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.

Resit an examination

Students who can document a valid reason for absence from the regular examination are offered a postponed exam at the beginning of the next semester.

New examinations are offered at the beginning of the next semester for students who do not successfully complete the exam during the previous semester.

We do not offer a re-scheduled exam for students who withdraw during the exam.

More about examinations at UiO

• Use of sources and citations
• Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
• Withdrawal from an exam
• Illness at exams / postponed exams
• Explanation of grades and appeals
• Resitting an exam
• Cheating/attempted cheating

You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.