University of Exeter Handbook (Transitional) Questions/Comments Dept of Physics

Amendments to Physics and Astronomy Programmes and Modules Approved in 2020-21

Introduction

In accordance with the Physics Procedure for Approval of Amendments to Programmes and Modules, this page documents programme and module development proposals and approvals.

Records of amendments made in other years are also available:

NOTE: The University uses the National Qualifications Framework level descriptors, this means that modules previously described as 'HE Level 1' are now referred to as 'Level 4', 'HE Level M' becomes 'Level 7', etc..

Minor Module Revision – PHY2035

Rationale and Proposal

Minor amendments to the syllabus plan.

The 'before' and 'after' module descriptors are:

Status

Minor Module Revision – PHY3067

Rationale and Proposal

Minor changes to the scheduling of homework exercises and adjustment of the assessment weights.

The affected module descriptor(s) are:

Status

Withdraw Optional Module for Stage 2

Rationale and Proposal

We need to withdraw PHY2034

which is a Stage 2 option for all programmes that has not been available in practice since 2017-18 due to staff absence and was normally taken by only a small number of students. It is being replaced by a new module, PHY2037 'Nonlinear Optics and Imaging', as described below.

This affects all programmes (except the 'with Astrophysics' variants):

New Optional Module for Stage 2

Rationale and Proposal

A replacement is required for PHY2034, which has not been available since 2018 due to staff absence and has now been withdrawn.

The new module 'Nonlinear Optics and Imaging' covers a significant research area within the department.

The new module descriptor(s) are:

This benefits all programmes (except the 'with Astrophysics' variants):

Status

Withdraw Optional Module for Stage 3

Rationale and Proposal

We are withdrawing PHY3069:

which has been a Stage 3 option for all programmes, because its enrolment is normally below the College's recommended minimum number and the lecturer will be on study leave during 2021-22. It is being replaced by a new module, PHY2037 'Nonlinear Optics and Imaging', as described below.

This affects all programmes (except the 'with Astrophysics' variants):

New Optional Module for Stage 3

Rationale and Proposal

A replacement is required for PHY3069, which is being withdrawn as described above.

The new module code will be PHY3072 and is expected, subject to staff availability to cover metamaterials and modern optics, which is significant research area within the department that is currently underrepresented within our undergraduate programmes.

The placeholder module descriptor(s) are:

This will benefit all programmes:

Status

Minor Module Descriptor Updates

Rationale and Proposal

Update the placeholder text 'This module pre-dates the current template; refer to the description above and the following ILO sections.' used in the 'Aims' section of several module descriptors by moving text from the 'Description' sections.

The affected module descriptor(s) are:

Status

University of Exeter Handbook (Transitional) Questions/Comments Dept of Physics