FG31 Combined Honours Mathematics and Physics
Combined Honours Programme Information (2010/11 Intake)
The definitive programme specification for this programme is
published by the Department of Mathematics. The information on this page is for
administrative purposes within the Department of Physics and Astronomy, and should not be
used in other contexts.
Programme structures and requirements, levels, modules, credits and awards
The following tables describe the programme planned for delivery to students commencing Stage 1 in the academic
year 2010/11. Some modules
will be updated or replaced in future years as a consequence
of normal programme development activity and staff rotation.
| Stage One (2010-2011) |
|---|
| Code | Title | Period | Credits | Level | Notes |
|---|
| ECM1701 |
Vectors and Matrices |
M1-M11 |
15 |
1 |
|
| ECM1702 |
Calculus and Geometry |
M1-M11 |
15 |
1 |
|
| PHY1021 |
Vector Mechanics |
M1-M11 |
15 |
1 |
|
| PHY1022 |
Introduction to Astrophysics |
M1-M11 |
15 |
1 |
|
| PHY1030 |
Practical Physics and IT Skills |
M1-M11, L1-L5, T6 |
15 |
1 |
|
| ECM1705 |
Advanced Calculus |
L1-L11 |
15 |
1 |
|
| PHY1023 |
Waves and Optics |
L1-L11 |
15 |
1 |
|
| PHY1024 |
Properties of Matter |
L1-L11 |
15 |
1 |
|
| Stage Two (2011-2012) |
|---|
| Code | Title | Period | Credits | Level | Notes |
|---|
| ECM2702 |
Differential Equations |
T1:01-11 |
15 |
2 |
|
| ECM2704 |
Numerics and Optimization |
T1:01-11 |
15 |
2 |
|
| PHY2021 |
Electromagnetism I |
T1:01-11 |
15 |
2 |
|
| PHY2022 |
Quantum Mechanics I |
T1:01-11 |
15 |
2 |
|
| PHY2026 |
Practical Physics II |
T1:07-11, T2:01-11 |
15 |
2 |
Pass without condonement required. |
| ECM2706 |
Vector Calculus and Applications |
T2:01-11 |
15 |
2 |
|
| PHY2023 |
Thermal Physics |
T2:01-11 |
15 |
2 |
|
| List 2 |
Option(s) from List 2 |
|
15 |
|
|
| List 2 Options |
|---|
| PHY2024 |
Condensed Matter I |
T2:01-11 |
15 |
2 |
|
| MATHOP2 |
Mathematics Option (Level 2) |
|
15 |
|
|
| Stage Three (2012-2013) |
|---|
| Code | Title | Period | Credits | Level | Notes |
|---|
| PHY3051 |
Electromagnetism II |
T1:01-11 |
15 |
6 |
|
| PHY3147 |
One-Semester Physics Project and Report |
T1:01-11 |
15 |
6 |
Pass without condonement required. |
| PHY3052 |
Nuclear and High Energy Physics |
T2:01-11 |
15 |
6 |
|
| MATHOPS3 |
Mathematics Options (NQF Level 6) |
|
45 |
|
|
| List 3 |
Option(s) from List 3 |
|
30 |
|
|
| List 3 Options |
|---|
| PHY3061 |
The Biophysics of Cells and Tissues |
T1:01-11 |
15 |
6 |
|
| PHY3062 |
Methods of Theoretical Physics |
T1:01-11 |
15 |
6 |
|
| PHY3063 |
Stars |
T1:01-11 |
15 |
6 |
|
| PHY3065 |
Quantum Optics and Photonics |
T2:01-11 |
15 |
6 |
|
| PHY3066 |
Galaxies and High Energy Astrophysics |
T2:01-11 |
15 |
6 |
|
| PHY3067 |
Energy and the Environment |
T2:01-11 |
15 |
6 |
|
| PHY3068 |
Principles of Theoretical Physics |
T2:01-11 |
15 |
6 |
|
| MATHOP3 |
Mathematics Option (NQF Level 6) |
|
|
|
|
Mathematics programme
Refer to information published by the Department of Mathematics.
Physics programme
The programme is intended to:
- Provide education and training of high quality in Physics.
- Stimulate and encourage in students a questioning and
creative approach, thus developing their enthusiasm for Physics and
a capacity for independent judgement.
- Facilitate students' personal development through the acquisition and use of
a wide range of transferable skills.
- Provide students with a sound foundation in
Physics,
preparing them
well for employment or further study and meeting the national needs
for qualified graduates as identified by the relevant professional
accrediting bodies.
The School of Physics intends to provide students taking this programme with:
- Opportunities to engage with a range of advanced concepts and applications,
drawing upon the specialist expertise of the staff.
- The opportunity, through the flexibility provided by a wide
range of choices of both degree programmes and modules, to complete a programme
of study relevant to their interests and aptitudes.
- Regular and frequent small-group contact with
staff with the appropriate teaching skills and experience, including current
activity in high-level research.
- An environment which is caring and supportive in both
academic and pastoral aspects and which will have encompassed an appropriate
range of teaching methods and broadened their learning experience.
12. Programme outcomes
Mathematics programme
Refer to information published by the Department of Mathematics.
Physics programme
On successful completion of the programme, it is intended that the student should be able to demonstrate:
- Subject knowledge and skills
- Knowledge and understanding of most fundamental physical laws and
principles, and competence in the application of these principles to
diverse areas of physics.
- Ability to solve problems in physics using appropriate mathematical
tools. Students should be able to identify the relevant physical
principles and make approximations necessary to obtain solutions.
- Ability to use mathematical techniques and analysis to model physical behaviour.
- Core academic skills
- Ability to execute and analyse critically the results of an
experiment or investigation and draw valid conclusions. Students should
be able to evaluate the level of uncertainty in their results and
compare these results with expected outcomes, theoretical predictions or
with published data. They should be able to evaluate the significance of
their results in this context.
- Sound familiarity with laboratory apparatus and techniques.
- Personal and key skills
- Ability in numerical manipulation and the ability to present and
interpret information graphically.
- Ability to communicate scientific information. In particular
students should be able to produce clear and accurate scientific
reports.
- Ability to manage their own learning and to make use of appropriate
texts, research-based materials or other learning resources.
Reference points used to construct this specification:
13. Teaching, learning and assessment methods
Mathematics programme
Refer to information published by the Department of Mathematics.
Physics programme
Teaching/learning:
- Subject knowledge and skills
- Material is introduced by lectures and directed reading/research.
Students are given clear guidance in how to manage their learning and
are expected to take progressively more responsibility for their own
learning at each stage. Understanding is developed and consolidated in
problems classes and tutorials and by laboratory work and private study
exercises, carried out individually and in pairs or groups. A mix of
self-assessed and tutor-marked work provides rapid feedback. Project
work is used to integrate material and make knowledge functional. A set
of compulsory core modules cover the 'fundamental physical laws' in
progressively greater depth at each stage of the programme. These laws
are applied in the options modules and projects at Stages 2 and 3.
Mathematical skills are learned within dedicated modules and
are applied and reinforced in the other 'physics' modules.
- Core academic skills
- The 'Practical Physics' modules at Stages 1 and 2 provide a thorough training
in the execution and critical analysis of an experimental investigation. These
skills are developed further in the Stage 3 projects which require students to
plan and execute experiments. They must also present and defend their conclusions.
- Personal and key skills
- Initial training in the manipulation, presentation and interpretation
of data occurs during Stage 1 in the mathematics, and Practical Physics modules
and in tutorials. These skills are developed and used at progressively higher levels throughout
the programme.
- Initial training in scientific communication occurs during Stage 1 in the Practical Physics module
and in tutorials. These skills are developed and used at progressively higher levels throughout
the programme.
- Students learn, with the guidance of tutors and module instructors, to take progressively more
responsibility for managing their own learning at each stage of the programme.
Assessment methods:
- Subject knowledge and skills
- Direct assessment is through a range of mid-semester
tests (Stage 1 and 2 only), formal written examinations, and marked
coursework in the form of problem sheets, laboratory reports,
reports/essays based on directed reading and research. The Stage 3
project assessment is based on performance in laboratory work, oral
presentations, planning ability, a formal written report and a
poster presentation. Assessment criteria are published in the
School Handbook.
- Core academic skills
- Analytical skills are assessed within many modules through a range
of formal written examinations, and marked coursework in the form of
problem sheets, etc. These skills are primarily demonstrated in
project work however. The 'Practical Physics II' module at Stage 2 includes a
small scale project, assessed by practical work/results and
a presentation. This leads onto the Stage 3 projects. The Stage 3
project assessment is based on performance in laboratory work, oral
presentations, planning ability, a formal written report and a
poster presentation. Assessment criteria are published in the
School Handbook.
- Personal and key skills
- Assessment of key skills is mostly through items of coursework:
written and oral presentations, and through project work.
17. Indicators of quality and standards
This programme is recognised by the .
The School of Physics was subject to Subject Review by the Quality Assurance Agency in 1999, when
the educational provision was graded as excellent with a score of 22/24 points.
The School was ranked 3rd in the UK for overall satisfaction in Physics and Astronomy
in the National Student Survey (2009) based on the percentage of positive responses for full service universities
(i.e. excluding specialist colleges).
Research activity in the School of Physics includes Astrophysics, Biomedical Physics,
Electromagnetic Materials and Quantum systems and Nanomaterials. Physics and Astronomy Research in
the School was ranked 8th in
the UK for world leading and internationally excellent research in the
RAE 2008 based on percentage of research categorised
as 4* and 3*.
QAA reports are published on the QAA website.
