University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2016/17 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Science > School of Physics > Physics with Study in Continental Europe (BSc) > Specification
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Programme code | 2PHYS002U |
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Programme type | Single Honours |
Programme director(s) |
Stephen Dugdale
|
Faculty | Faculty of Science |
School/department | School of Physics |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Accrediting types: |
Accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP) for the purpose of partially 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) |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 4 years (full time) |
All our 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. The programmes provide academic and practical training in Physics to:
· provide a suitable foundation for graduate studies or a professional career in physics,
· provide a first degree in physics 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 and the confidence to apply it to new situations, as a basis for problem-solving and continuing self-learning throughout their careers,
· provide a flexible, responsive and friendly learning environment,
· deliver high quality teaching.
Specific additional aims are:
· 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 are the principal form of teaching |
Methods of Assessment | |
Assessment is through a combination of unseen written examinations, moderated course work, laboratory reports and project reports or dissertations, 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, assessment of laboratory and IT work and the write up of projects or dissertations, the viva and poster session are all key to developing intellectual and presentational skills. |
Methods of Assessment | |
The methods of assessment outlined above all contain components which assess these skills. In particular, those associated at all levels with laboratory and project work have a component reflecting presentation and performance of the skills detailed here. |
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 is key to developing decision making, time-management and efficient use of resources. Group working is developed as part of the laboratory and project work, and general communication skills are used as part of project/dissertation 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 | |
The methods of assessment outlined above all contain components which assess these skills. In particular, those associated at all levels with laboratory and project work have a component reflecting presentation and performance of the skills detailed here. |
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. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
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.
The Faculty of Science expects a minimum work input by its undergraduates of 40 hours per week for every week of the academic year. The 40 hours is made up of a portfolio of different components. The balance between these components varies slightly from programme to programme reflecting the varying academic demands of different subject areas.
Lectures, practical work, tutorials, seminars and required coursework and homework for may take up around 20 hours per week. While this volume of formal teaching is common in the early years of programmes, in later years there is more self directed learning and the opportunity to carry out supervised research work. In total the formal teaching and the students learning should amount to the 40 hours a week mentioned.
The Faculty of Science requires students to do some academic work in the periods between the terms, both required work and that which reflects their interest in, and commitment to their programmes of study.
All programmes are accredited by the Institute of Physics.
Placements are arranged by the School of Physics. Those in industry are jointly supervised by an academic in the School and one at the place of work.
Placements abroad are in equivalent higher educational institutions to Bristol. Assessment of the year abroad takes place in Bristol based on results and other information from the host institution, as well as a viva on return. Most of the placements are through the Erasmus/Socrates scheme.
The unit Physics Education provides an insight into teaching particularly for those students interested in pursuing a teaching career.
School of Physics web site http://www.bristol.ac.uk/physics/
Undergraduate contact email phys-ug@bristol.ac.uk.
With the exception of open units, all Year 1 (C/4) units on this programme are must pass (whether taken as mandatory or chosen as optional units). For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/esu/assessment/annex/glossary.html
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Mathematics 1A20 | MATH11004 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Essential Maths for Physics | PHYS11400 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
A relevant 20 credit point language unit | OPEN | 20 | Optional | |
20 credit points of open units | OPEN | 20 | Optional | |
Core Physics II: Oscillations, Waves and Fields | PHYS10005 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Physics Laboratory | PHYS10004 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Core Physics I:Mechanics and Matter | PHYS10006 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Certificate of Higher Education | 120 |
PHYS22050 PHYS23020 and PHYS29030 AND BOTH CLASSICAL PHYSICS UNITS are must pass units. For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/esu/assessment/annex/glossary.html
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Classical Physics I: Thermal Physics, Oscillations and Mechanics | PHYS20007 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Classical Physics II: Electromagnetism and Waves | PHYS20020 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Nuclear and Particle Physics | PHYS22040 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Quantum Mechanics 202 | PHYS22050 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Practical Physics 202 | PHYS29020 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Mathematical Physics 202 | PHYS23020 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
A relevant 20 credit point language unit | OPEN | 20 | Optional | |
Diploma of Higher Education | 120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Year Abroad | PHYS39001 | 120 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
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Skills for Science 301 | PHYS38011 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Solid State Physics 3021 | PHYS30021 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Quantum Physics 301 | PHYS32011 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Select 30 credit points from the following: | ||||
Physics Dissertation 333 | PHYS38331 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Physics Project 333 | PHYS39330 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Industrial Group Project | PHYS30007 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Physics Education 333 | PHYS39332 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
50 credit points of Level H/6 options, subject to timetable and availability. Select from: | ||||
Environmental Physics | PHYS30027 | 10 | Optional | TB-2 |
Analytical Mechanics | PHYS30008 | 10 | Optional | TB-2 |
Biophysics 321 | PHYS31211 | 10 | Optional | TB-1 |
Computational Physics 301 | PHYS38012 | 10 | Optional | TB-4 |
Condensed Matter Physics 311 | PHYS31111 | 10 | Optional | TB-2 |
Galaxies 301 | PHYS34011 | 10 | Optional | TB-2 |
High Energy Astrophysics 301 | PHYS34012 | 10 | Optional | TB-1 |
International mentoring | PHYS30024 | 10 | Optional | TB-4 |
Methods of Theoretical Physics 3 | PHYS30015 | 10 | Optional | TB-2 |
Nanophysics | PHYS32600 | 10 | Optional | TB-2 |
Particle Physics | PHYS32012 | 10 | Optional | TB-1 |
Physics World 301 | PHYS38010 | 10 | Optional | TB-1,TB-2 |
Stellar Structure and Evolution 301 | PHYS34013 | 10 | Optional | TB-2 |
Philosophical Foundations of Physics | PHIL30054 | 10 | Optional | TB-1 |
Optoelectronic Devices and Systems 3 | EENG30004 | 10 | Optional | TB-1 |
Materials Physics | PHYS30025 | 10 | Optional | TB-2 |
Physics with Study in Continental Europe (BSc) | 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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