University of Exeter Handbook (Physics) Questions/Comments Department (Physics)

Stage 2 Physics Problems Classes

Introduction

The Stage 2 problems classes build on the training and experienced gained by students in the Stage 1 Problems Classes. The aim remains the same; to train students to construct and present their own solutions to problems. Students need to explain the physical assumptions and laws they use, and the logical and mathematical steps they take by presenting them in a form that a marker can follow and verify or correct.

Organisation

  1. Module instructors publish problems sheets on the Exeter Learning Environment on the Monday of the week preceding the week of the associated problems class. (See schedule below.)
  2. Students must attempt to answer the questions in both section A and section B (see below) and submit their work to the Education Support Office using the BART system BART BEFORE 1430hrs on the Friday in the week before the problems class.
  3. The work will be marked by a problems tutor and returned at the problems class on the Tuesday.
  4. During the two-hour period timetabled, students will be divided into small (typically six students) groups, and each group will be given personalised feedback and help by a problems tutor, as specified by the Problems Class Co-ordinator.
  5. The module lecturers attend the classes according to the presentation schedule below so that they have a chance to get feedback on the most common areas of difficulty from the problems tutor, and to go through the salient issues that arise.

Schedule of Problems

Stage 2 students take two core physics modules in each term. Problems are broadly split into 'Section A' questions, which are relatively straightforward problems designed to reinforce knowledge and test a student's ability to apply facts and techniques learned in the module. 'Section B' questions are more substantial and may take 2-3 times as long to answer as the section A questions. These train students to plan and execute multi-stage problems, and may sometimes draw on knowledge from areas from outside the module. Each complete problems set should take a typical student 4 hours to complete (i.e. 2 hours per module.)

Week NumberPHY2021PHY2022PresentationComments
Sec. ASec. BSec. ASec. B
T1:02-----Introductory Session
T1:038-42PHY2022Problem Set 1 (Issued Mon T1:01)
T1:04428-PHY2021Problem Set 2 (Issued Mon T1:02)
T1:058-42PHY2022Problem Set 3 (Issued Mon T1:03)
T1:06-----Midterm Tests
T1:07428-PHY2021Problem Set 4 (Issued Mon T1:04)
T1:088-42PHY2022Problem Set 5 (Issued Mon T1:06)
T1:09428-PHY2021Problem Set 6 (Issued Mon T1:07)
T1:108-42PHY2022Problem Set 7 (Issued Mon T1:08)
T1:11428-PHY2021Problem Set 8 (Issued Mon T1:09)

The pattern for PHY2023/PHY2024 is similar:

Week NumberPHY2023PHY2024PresentationComments
Sec. ASec. BSec. ASec. B
T2:01-----Lecture(s) - Replacements for Bank holidays
T2:02-----Lecture(s) - Replacements for Bank holidays
T2:03428-PHY2023Problem Set 1 (Issued Mon T2:01)
T2:048-42PHY2024Problem Set 2 (Issued Mon T2:02)
T2:05428-PHY2023Problem Set 3 (Issued Mon T2:03)
T2:06-----Midterm Tests
T2:078-42PHY2024Problem Set 4 (Issued Mon T2:04)
T2:08428-PHY2023Problem Set 5 (Issued Mon T2:06)
T2:098-42PHY2024Problem Set 6 (Issued Mon T2:07)
T2:10428-PHY2023Problem Set 7 (Issued Mon T2:08)
T2:118-42PHY2024Problem Set 8 (Issued Mon T2:09)

See also: Code of Practice for Problems Class Tutors.

University of Exeter Handbook (Physics) Questions/Comments Department (Physics)