Unit information: Philosophy of Physics in 2024/25

Unit name	Philosophy of Physics
Unit code	PHILM0005
Credit points	20
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12)
Unit director	Professor. Ladyman
Open unit status	Not open
Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units)	None
Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units)	None
Units you may not take alongside this one	none
School/department	Department of Philosophy
Faculty	Faculty of Arts

Unit Information

This unit covers philosophical issues related to basic physical theories, discussing issues such as the causal structure of space-time, conceptual questions in the foundations of quantum mechanics, and the role of probability in physics.

The aim of this course is to explore metaphysical, methodological, epistemological and conceptual issues that arise in modern physics. We cover topics such as: space and time in Aristotle’s, Newton’s, and Einstein’s physics; the notion of simultaneity in Einstein’s theory of relativity; geometry and the causal structure of relativity physics; the conceptual structure of quantum mechanics, the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen experiment; the measurement problem and Schrödinger’s cat paradox of; locality and action-at-a-distance; and causation and chance in atomic physics.

Your learning on this unit

On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to demonstrate:

1. knowledge and understanding of various key issues in philosophy of physics
2. an ability to engage critically with the positions and arguments of philosophers covered at a depth suitable to level M, and offer their own assessment of them.
3. skills in reading philosophy, constructing and evaluating arguments, and writing philosophy at an advanced level.
4. an ability to communicate ideas clearly and effectively to an audience, using blackboard, handouts,data projection (e.g. PowerPoint).
5. an ability to identity research question independently and to plan and present in depth, independent research.
6. an ability to self-reflect and respond to criticisms of own work, combining knowledge, understanding and flexibility

How you will learn

Lectures, small group work, individual exercises, seminars and virtual learning environment.

How you will be assessed

Interdisciplinary literature review – 8-10 items of 100-150 words each (20%)

4000 word essay (80%)

Resources

If this unit has a Resource List, you will normally find a link to it in the Blackboard area for the unit. Sometimes there will be a separate link for each weekly topic.

If you are unable to access a list through Blackboard, you can also find it via the Resource Lists homepage. Search for the list by the unit name or code (e.g. PHILM0005).

How much time the unit requires
Each credit equates to 10 hours of total student input. For example a 20 credit unit will take you 200 hours of study to complete. Your total learning time is made up of contact time, directed learning tasks, independent learning and assessment activity.

See the University Workload statement relating to this unit for more information.

Assessment
The Board of Examiners will consider all cases where students have failed or not completed the assessments required for credit. The Board considers each student's outcomes across all the units which contribute to each year's programme of study. For appropriate assessments, if you have self-certificated your absence, you will normally be required to complete it the next time it runs (for assessments at the end of TB1 and TB2 this is usually in the next re-assessment period).
The Board of Examiners will take into account any exceptional circumstances and operates within the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.