Sensors and instrumentation systems-best practice in education: undergraduate projects

The Department of Physical Sciences at Glasgow Caledonian University specialises in applying physics and chemistry to the measurement and creation of measuring instruments. The department offers honours degree courses in Instrumentation with Applied Physics, and Chemistry with Information Technology and Instrumentation. The Department also offers a suite of three MSc/PgD courses in Instrumentation, Instrumental Analytical Chemistry, and Bulk Solids Handling Technology. The common theme running throughout all the courses is that of instrumentation and measurement. The role of research within the Department is also recognised as vital to the underpinning of all its courses. The Department has strong links with industry and plays a key role in Scotsense which is a technology transfer forum with members from both academia and industry. It is with this background and infrastructure that the concept of joint projects and industrial collaboration has been successfully implemented in undergraduate projects.