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Programme code | 2PHYS021U |
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Programme type | Joint Honours (UG) |
Programme director(s) |
Andrew Young (Physics)
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Faculty | Faculty of Science |
School/department | School of Physics |
Second School/department | Department of Philosophy |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Accrediting types: |
Accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP) for the purpose of fully meeting the educational requirement for Chartered Physicist. (https://www.iop.org/education/support-work-higher-education/degree-accreditation-recognition) |
Relevant QAA subject benchmark groups |
Physics, astronomy and astrophysics (2019) (benchmark statement)
Philosophy (2019) (benchmark statement) |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 4 years (full time) |
All degree programmes share the University's aim of "offering students the best possible learning experience in a research environment" - enabling them to realise their full potential in their chosen careers. An important goal is to maximise student choice while maintaining academic consistency. Physics and Philosophy have much in common in exploring the intellectual basis for science at a fundamental level. The philosophy of science is a particular strength of the Philosophy Department in Bristol so it is natural that a course satisfying the desires of students of physics with a philosophical bent should be accommodated, whilst providing education in the wider aspects of the two disciplines. The programmes provide academic and practical training in Physics and Philosophy to:
· provide a suitable foundation for graduate studies or a professional career in philosophy or physics
· provide a first degrees whose standards are comparable to those in other European countries
· provide programmes of study which respond to the national need for high quality physics graduates
· produce graduates with a thorough knowledge of physics philosophy and the confidence to apply it to new situations, as a basis for problem-solving and continuing self-learning throughout their careers
· develop a more advanced knowledge of some topics particularly but not exclusively those relevant to other subjects in the programme
· develop skills in mathematical reasoning, problem-solving and mathematical manipulation
· develop the ability to think logically and critically and express ideas clearly
· provide a flexible, responsive and friendly learning environment
· deliver high quality teaching.
Specific additional aims are:
· (VF53) To experience the learning environment of a European country and provide experience for employment in an international setting.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Lectures and Seminars (Philosophy) are the principal form of teaching. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Assessment is through a combination of unseen written examinations, moderated course work and class tests, seminars, laboratory reports and project reports or dissertations and essays, IT work, oral presentations and interviews. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Intellectual skills are developed through the learning and teaching methods outlined in the section above. Tutorials, seminars, assessment of laboratory and IT work and the write up of projects or dissertations and essays, vivas and poster session are all key to developing intellectual and presentational skills. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Assessment is through a combination of unseen written examinations, moderated course work and class tests, seminars, laboratory reports and project reports or dissertations and essays, IT work, oral presentations and interviews. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
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Transferable skills are developed through the learning and teaching methods outlined above. The project or dissertation and essay are key to developing decision making, time-management and efficient use of resources. Group working is developed as part of seminars, the laboratory and project work, and general communication skills are used as part of project/dissertation/essay assessment, involving as it does a written report and a viva. ICT skills are acquired throughout the programmes either in specific courses or as part of laboratory and project work, which includes literature surveys and distillation of information from diverse sources. |
Methods of Assessment | |
Assessment is through a combination of unseen written examinations, moderated course work and class tests, seminars, laboratory reports and project reports or dissertations and essays, IT work, oral presentations and interviews. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
They will have a sound knowledge of the basic concepts of a subject, and will have learned how to take different approaches to solving problems. They will be able to communicate accurately, and will have the qualities needed for employment requiring the exercise of some personal responsibility. |
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Level I/5 - Intermediate |
They will have developed a sound understanding of the principles in their field of study, and will have learned to apply those principles more widely. Through this, they will have learned to evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems. Their studies may well have had a vocational orientation, enabling them to perform effectively in their chosen field. |
Level H/6 - Honours |
They will have the qualities necessary for employment in situations requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and decision-making. They will have developed an understanding of a complex body of knowledge, some of it at the current boundaries of an academic discipline. Through this, the graduate will have developed analytical techniques and problem-solving skills that can be applied in many types of employment. The graduate will be able to evaluate evidence, arguments and assumptions, to reach sound judgements, and to communicate effectively. They should have the qualities needed for employment in situations requiring the exercise of personal responsibility, and decision-making in complex and unpredictable circumstances. |
Level M/7 - Masters |
Much of the study undertaken at Masters level will have been at, or informed by, the forefront of an academic or professional discipline. Students will have shown originality in the application of knowledge, and they will understand how the boundaries of knowledge are advanced through research. They will be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, and they will show originality in tackling and solving problems. They will have the qualities needed for employment in circumstances requiring sound judgement, personal responsibility and initiative, in complex and unpredictable professional environments. |
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the undergraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
UG Workload Statement
Success as an undergraduate student depends on you being able to make the transition to self-motivated, independent learning. Programmes are designed to assist you in this development, in many cases by starting with units in which timetabled teaching, such as lectures and practical classes, provides the foundations of knowledge and skills in a subject, moving on to individual research-based work. Over time you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for your own learning, guided by the feedback on your work that you will receive. At the heart of your studies at every level there must be regular and disciplined individual reading, reflection and writing and it is this skill of independent studies, above all others, that will serve you best when you leave the University.
Most programmes use credits and a 20 credit unit broadly equates to about 200 hours of student input. This includes all activities related to the teaching, learning and assessment of taught units.
A component of this is the time that you spend in class, in contact with the teaching staff, which includes activities such as lectures, laboratories, tutorials and fieldwork. Some of this activity may be online and could consist of activity that is synchronous (using real-time environments such as Blackboard Collaborate) or asynchronous (using tools such as tutor moderated discussion forums, blogs or wikis).
In some programmes there are field courses and/or placements that will take place in concentrated periods of time.
Outside scheduled activities you are expected to pursue your own independent learning to build your knowledge and understanding of the subjects you are studying. Such independent activities include, reviewing lecture material, reading textbooks, working on examples sheets, completing coursework, writing up laboratory notes, preparing for in-class progress tests and revising for examinations.
We recognise that many students undertake paid employment. To achieve a sensible balance between work and study, you are advised to undertake paid work for no more than 15 hours per week in term-time.
Professional Programmes
Many undergraduates in the Faculty of Health Sciences will be following the professional programmes of:
For these professional programmes, full time attendance is compulsory unless absence is formally approved. Academic activities are timetabled throughout the 5-day week and student workload is around 40 hours per week on average. Where possible, students in the early years are permitted Wednesday afternoons for sport and extra-curriculum activities. This may not be available in later years of professional programmes as when a student progresses through the curricula there is an increasing exposure to clinical and professional activities. Students in clinic or on placements may need to stay later than core times of 08.00 – 18.00 or even overnight to observe out-of-hours activities. This increasing exposure to clinical activities means that students on these professional programmes often have longer term dates than the University standard. Individual years within programmes are likely to vary in length (for example because of the timings of placements) and further information on this will be found in individual programme regulations. Another important point to note is that many of the assessments sit outside of the standard University examination timetable and are likely to be more frequent meaning that students will more oftentimes be engaged in revision activities and self-directed learning.
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty Assessment and Feedback Statement for Undergraduate Students. University of Bristol access only.
All programmes are accredited by the Institute of Physics.
Physics
School of Physics web site: http://www.bristol.ac.uk/physics/
Email: phys-ug@bristol.ac.uk
Students will be offered a blended educational experience with a mix of in person and online teaching. The in person teaching will consist of small group work, laboratory practicals and field work/alternative activities. To achieve the intended learning outcomes across the programme and to satisfy any accreditation requirements, students will be expected to undertake some in person teaching. Where this is not possible, students will be asked to contact their School to discuss arrangements.
This integrated Masters programme has been designated as type III: Professional or Practice Masters in accordance with the QAA Degree Characteristics Statement. Please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further information on this type of programme.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Core Physics I:Mechanics and Matter | PHYS10006 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Core Physics II: Oscillations, Waves and Fields | PHYS10005 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Physics Laboratory | PHYS10004 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Introductory Mathematics for Physics | PHYS10009 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Essential Maths for Physics | PHYS11400 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Introduction to Philosophy A | PHIL10005 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Introduction to Philosophy B | PHIL10006 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Certificate of Higher Education | 120 |
This integrated Masters programme has been designated as type III: Professional or Practice Masters in accordance with the QAA Degree Characteristics Statement. Please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further information on this type of programme.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Mechanics, Oscillations and Quantum Mechanics I | PHYS20028 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Mathematical Physics 202 | PHYS23020 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Practical Physics 201 | PHYS29010 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Realism and Normativity | PHIL20046 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Electromagnetism, Waves and Quantum Mechanics II | PHYS20029 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Thermal Physics | PHYS20027 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-2C |
20 credit points from the following: | ||||
Philosophy of Mind | PHIL20010 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Ethics | PHIL20011 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Political Philosophy | PHIL20012 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Philosophy of Mathematics | PHIL20039 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Texts in Modern European Philosophy 1 | PHIL20050 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Ancient Philosophy | PHIL20040 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Death, dying and disease | PHIL20049 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Space, Time and Matter | PHIL20053 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Diploma of Higher Education | 120 |
This integrated Masters programme has been designated as type III: Professional or Practice Masters in accordance with the QAA Degree Characteristics Statement. Please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further information on this type of programme.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Practical Physics 301 | PHYS39010 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Quantum Physics 301 | PHYS32011 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Solid State Physics 3021 | PHYS30021 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Philosophy of Science | PHIL30049 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Philosophical Issues of Physical Sciences | PHIL30052 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
20 CP of level H/6 Physics optional units from | ||||
Environmental Physics | PHYS30027 | 10 | Optional | TB-2D |
Analytical Mechanics | PHYS30008 | 10 | Optional | TB-2 |
Biophysics 321 | PHYS31211 | 10 | Optional | TB-1 |
Condensed Matter Physics 311 | PHYS31111 | 10 | Optional | TB-2C |
Galaxies 301 | PHYS34011 | 10 | Optional | TB-2C |
High Energy Astrophysics 301 | PHYS34012 | 10 | Optional | TB-2D |
Introduction to Computational Physics | PHYS30009 | 10 | Optional | TB-4 |
Methods of Theoretical Physics 3 | PHYS30015 | 10 | Optional | TB-2 |
Nanophysics | PHYS32600 | 10 | Optional | TB-2D |
Particle Physics | PHYS32012 | 10 | Optional | TB-1B |
Stellar Structure and Evolution 301 | PHYS34013 | 10 | Optional | TB-1B |
Materials Physics | PHYS30025 | 10 | Optional | TB-2C |
Quantum Information Theory | MATH30031 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
20 cp level H/6 Philosophy units from | ||||
Philosophy of Biology | PHIL30063 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Probability and Rationality | PHIL30078 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
The Philosophy and History of Medicine | PHIL30082 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Themes in Modern European Philosophy 2 | PHIL30117 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Philosophy of Psychology | PHIL30077 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Death, dying and disease | PHIL30115 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Please note that if you took Death, Dying and Disease (PHIL20049) in year 2, you cannot take it again in year 3. | ||||
The Ethics of Migration and Citizenship | PHIL30118 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Feminist Philosophy | PHIL30123 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Philosophy of Mathematics | PHIL30090 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Please note that if you took Space, Time and Matter (PHIL20053) in year 2, you cannot take it again in year 3. | ||||
BSc Physics and Philosophy | 120 |
This integrated Masters programme has been designated as type III: Professional or Practice Masters in accordance with the QAA Degree Characteristics Statement. Please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes for further information on this type of programme.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Physics Research Project for Joint Honours | PHYSM0052 | 40 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Project | PHILM0008 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1,TB-2 |
Advanced Philosophy of Physics | PHILM0029 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Select 20 CP of level M/7 Physics options (subject to prerequisites) from: | ||||
Frontiers of Modern Physics A | PHYSM0049 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Frontiers of Modern Physics B | PHYSM0050 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
General Relativity and Cosmology | PHYSM0051 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Semiconductor Device Physics and Technology | PHYSM0048 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Select 20 CP of level M/7 Philosophy options (subject to prerequisites) from: | ||||
Philosophy of Biology | PHILM0006 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
History of Science | PHILM0007 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Epistemology and Metaphysics | PHILM0021 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
The Philosophy and History of Medicine | PHILM0022 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Philosophy and History of Mathematics | PHILM0016 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Philosophy of Psychology | PHILM0020 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Philosophy of Probability | PHILM0028 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Value Theory | PHILM0026 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Physics and Philosophy (MSci) | 120 |
Unit Pass Mark for Undergraduate Programmes:
For details on the weightings for classifying undergraduate degrees, please see the Agreed Weightings, by Faculty, to be applied for the Purposes of Calculating the Final Programme Mark and Degree Classification in Undergraduate Programmes.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
Please refer to the specific progression/award requirements for programmes with a preliminary year of study, the Gateway programmes and International Foundation programmes.
All undergraduate degree programmes allow the opportunity for a student to exit from a programme with a Diploma or Certificate of Higher Education.
Integrated Master's degrees may also allow the opportunity for a student to exit from the programme with an equivalent Bachelor's degree where a student has achieved 360 credit points, of which 90 must be at level 6, and has successfully met any additional criteria as described in the programme specification.
The opportunities for a student to exit from one of the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry with an Award is outlined in the relevant Programme Regulations (which are available as an annex in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes).
An Ordinary degree can be awarded if a student has successfully completed at least 300 credits with a minimum of 60 credits at Level 6.
The pass mark for the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine and Dentistry is 50 out of 100. The classification of a degree in the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry is provided in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
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