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BSc Hons Physics
|Mode of Study: Full Time||Department: Physics|
|UCAS Code: F300||Duration/Length: 3 Year(s)|
|QAA Subject Benchmark: Physics, Astronomy and Astrophysics||Director of Studies: Dr V Kartvelishvili|
|Total Credit Points: 360||Credit Points Year 2: 120|
|Credit Points Year 3: 120|
- Compulsory Modules
- Educational Aims
- Learning Outcomes
- Learning and Teaching Strategies
- Assessment Strategy and Skills
Syllabus Rules and Pre-requisites
- The student must take the following modules:
- PartII (Year 2)
- The student must take the following modules:
- PartII (Year 3)
- The student must take the following modules:
- The student must take 2 modules from the following group:
- The student may complete their enrolment by selecting from the following list:
Educational Aims: Knowledge, Understanding and Skills
Lancaster's Physics degree provides a broad conceptual and practical working knowledge of physics, along with key transferrable skills enabling students to embark on a wide variety of career paths. Physics is an exciting subject that is fundamental to the developments in modern society. Applications of the subject range from the very pure to the very practical, and a physics degree opens up a wide range of rewarding careers in scientific research and technological development, as well as in a variety of other professions. Our Physics degree is accredited by the Institute of Physics.
The core curriculum includes subjects such as Quantum Physics and Electromagnetism in your first year, Quantum Mechanics and Relativity in your second year, and Particle Physics, Atomic Physics and Condensed Matter Physics in your third year. This is complemented by laboratories which perform state-of-the-art experiments with sophisticated equipment and associated software. Alternatively, students can choose to do an extended industrially-oriented group project in collaboration with a company or other external organisation. In your final year there are a wide range of advanced options which include subjects such as Quantum Computation, Matter at Low Temperatures, Biomedical Physics, and Space Physics.
The primary aim of the BSc Hons Physics degree at Lancaster University is to provide a broad but rigorous course of teaching and learning for the graduate intending to make their career in a physics-based or related field.
The programme leads to professional qualifications and accreditation by the Institute of Physics.
The degree aims to:
offer students a demonstrable understanding of key areas of physical phenomena and of physical principles.
provide students with the opportunity to study in-depth important areas of physics that are taught by staff who are research active in those areas.
offer students a range of different learning environments and forms of assessment.
enable students to comment on particular aspects of current research from a strong foundation of both theoretical knowledge and practical experience involving the key skills to perform state-of-the-art experiments.
develop numeracy and analytic skills that can contribute to success in a range of future careers.
develop students' skills when communicating in different formats, such as written reports and reviews, and oral presentations, and to communicate more effectively in general.
enhance students' ability to work as part of a group on different kinds of problems.
improve students' organisation of their time and their ability to work and learn independently.
Learning Outcomes: Knowledge, Understanding and Skills
Graduates will be able to:
demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the fundamental areas of physics, in line with accreditation requirements of the Institute of Physics. This includes basic themes of physics: classical mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics and quantum physics; related topics including waves and optics, statistical physics, particle physics, atomic and nuclear physics, and relativity; and advanced topics related to areas of strong research activity within the Department.
demonstrate skills related to experimental measurements including use of appropriate equipment, an appreciation of experimental uncertainty and statistical analysis, interpretation of data and presentation of results.
plan, execute and report the results of an open-ended physics-based investigation, including relating conclusions they make to current theories of the physics involved.
apply underlying physical ideas and concepts to formulate and tackle problems in physics, including open-ended problems.
use mathematics to describe the physical world and to demonstrate an understanding of mathematical modelling and of the role of approximation.
compare critically the results of model calculations with those from experiment and observation.
perform independent investigations including using textbooks and other available literature, search databases and the internet, and interact with colleagues to derive important information.
communicate effectively including the ability to listen carefully, to read demanding texts, and to present complex information in a clear and concise manner.
demonstrate analytic skills by paying attention to detail and by their ability to manipulate precise and intricate ideas, to construct logical arguments and to use technical language correctly.
demonstrate computing and ICT skills in a variety of ways, including their ability to use appropriate software such as programming languages and packages.
work independently, to use their initiative and to organise themselves to meet deadlines. Graduates will also be able to work as part of a team and be able to interact constructively.
Learning and Teaching Strategies and Methods: Knowledge, Understanding, Skills
Knowledge and understanding
Teaching and learning are based mainly around 5-week lecture modules containing 16 lectures and 4 problem seminars. Coursework may be numerical or may involve written description or analysis. In addition further reading is assigned to amplify the lecture material. Answers to worksheets and other related issues are discussed during the weekly seminar. Students can also meet with the lecturer on a one-to-one basis during scheduled office hours. Students take laboratory and IT modules in each of their first two years and in their final year they do individual and group projects intended both to develop technical skills and to illustrate physics arising from lecture modules.
In years 1 and 2, students undertake tutorial-driven laboratories which reinforce basic concepts as presented in lectures. With the assistance of demonstrators, students learn basic practical techniques, gain familiarity with the use of appropriate equipment, and achieve an appreciation of experimental uncertainty and statistical analysis. In the final year they undertake more open-ended laboratories. Basic mathematical skills are an equally important outcome of the degree, acquired through specific mathematics modules together with the weekly routine of worked examples.
Throughout, emphasis is placed on acquiring the skill of independent learning, the ability to reach the core of a previously unknown topic in physics through personal study of the textbooks and literature.
The skills of reasoning and analysis, although eminently transferable, are intrinsic to a physics degree and are reinforced within every module. Similarly computation underpins modern physics. In computation modules students’ progress from exercises in basic computer fluency, such as word processing, spread sheet technique and use of the internet, to advanced techniques such as use of packages, graphics, and computer modelling.
However, in any degree scheme it is important that written communication is not neglected, and at Lancaster specific guidance is given on writing skills. Much coursework, as well as examinations, requires a descriptive or conceptual development. Other modules, such as the laboratories, are assessed primarily by written report. Oral presentation skills are also taught specifically, and students are required to make such a presentation as part of the assessment process for during the degree.
Assessment Strategy and Methods: Knowledge, Understanding and Skills
Assessment takes place both by examination at the end of each year, as well as after Christmas in the first year, and continuously during the degree.
In lecture modules, formative assessment of a student's progress is gathered via worksheets that are marked and returned with comments. Such feedback is extremely valuable both for the student and for the lecturer. Answers to worksheets and other related issues are discussed during the weekly seminar.
Laboratory work is assessed by marking of log books and reports. For projects, a variety of assessment methods may be used including log books, reports, peer assessment, oral presentations and, possibly, viva voce interviews.
All modules taught during a given year are examined formally in the following summer with the exception of the first mathematics and physics modules of the first year. All examinations, laboratory and project work are moderated by observation of marking trends, sampling and/or unseen double marking.
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