PHY3053 - Module Description

MODULE TITLE	General Problems					CREDIT VALUE	15
MODULE CODE	PHY3053		MODULE CONVENER			Dr A. Usher and Tutors

DURATION	TERM	1	2	3	Number Students Taking Module (anticipated)		101
	WEEKS	T1:01-11	T2:01-11

DESCRIPTION – summary of the module content (100 words)

Problem-solving is the process of answering questions by using reasoning beyond the mere application of pre-learned procedures. This is a synoptic module that presents students with unfamiliar problems to solve. It requires them to draw on the skills and knowledge of core physics they have built up over their three years at University in order to develop their own solutions to these problems.

MODULE AIMS – intentions of the module

Professional physicists are expected to able to tackle many problems by the appropriate application of basic physical laws and by doing so demonstrate their knowledge of the relevant laws and deepen their understanding of the physical world. The ability to solve problems is also an essential life-skill, and most physics graduates earn a living not from their detailed knowledge of physics, but from their ability to solve their employers' problems. The aim of this module is to develop students' problem-solving ability and experience.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

use core physics knowlege and skills from Stages 1-3 of a Physics programme to solve unfamiliar problems;

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

transform textual and/or diagrammatic descriptions of systems into mathematical models;
identify relevant and irrelevant information in a stated problem and supplement it with the general and subject-specific knowledge required to obtain a solution;
design, execute and check a solution to a physical problem;
solve problems and check solutions by considering and/or exploiting: dimensional analysis, symmetry, scaling properties, functional form, algebraic validity, limiting values and special cases, numerical reasonableness and units, etc.;
make and justify appropriate estimates and approximations.
explain and resolve paradoxes;
identify the basic physical laws relevant to solving problems involving unfamiliar systems;
identify, and correct, fallacious reasoning and/or the incorrect application of physical laws;

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:

present written solutions to problems in a manner that makes clear the methods, reasoning and assumptions used.

SYLLABUS PLAN – summary of the structure and academic content of the module

The examination may consist of problems on any area of physics. However, these will be soluble by applying laws and techniques included within the core modules common to the Physics programmes that include this module. Booklets of past questions and their mark schemes are publish on ELE (see link below). past examination papers and the associated solutions and hints are useful guide to the style of problems that they can expect to encounter in the assessment.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities

17 hours

Guided independent study

133 hours

Placement/study abroad

0 hours

DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS