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FHEQ level

This course is set at Level 6 in the national Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.

Course Aims

The Physics BSc degree programme aims to provide a physics-based undergraduate programme that is broad and academically challenging, building progressively upon previously acquired skills and knowledge. All students undertake a final-year project in one of the active research groups in the department, where they develop the ability to work independently and to understand original research literature. It is a particularly flexible programme, providing opportunities to study a range of options in physics and in other subjects. It may be possible to study a complete strand in another subject, whether in a physics-based topic such as astrophysics, or in mathematics or in a completely different area such as a language or education. As with all our programmes, there are also opportunities to transfer to other physics-based degree programmes at appropriate stages. Successful graduates will possess a range of knowledge and transferable skills that will prepare them for employment in any physics-based job or in a wide range of jobs that call upon analytical and modelling skills.

Course learning outcomes

Knowledge and Understanding: At the end of the Physics (BSc) degree programme, a successful student will: 1. have demonstrated a systematic understanding of most fundamental laws and principles of physics, along with their application to several areas in physics;

2. have acquired coherent and detailed knowledge of physics, at least some of which is at (or is informed by) the forefront of the discipline;

3. be aware of the current limits to knowledge in physics;

4. be able to apply accurately a selection of mathematical and computational tools required to solve problems in quantitative science, identifying relevant principles and laws when dealing with such problems;

5. have a clear understanding of a range of specialist topics in physics-related subjects.

Practical Skills: By the end of the Physics degree programme, successful students will demonstrate a selection of the following: 1. an ability to execute experiments in an experimental laboratory with due safety precautions;

2. basic familiarity and competence in handling laboratory apparatus or computers safely;

3. an ability to use laboratory or computing equipment to generate data;

4. an ability to analyse data and assess their significance;

5. an ability to solve numerical problems using computer or non-computer based techniques;

6. an ability to carry out basic manipulation of scientific data, including statistical analysis where appropriate;

7. an ability to use computer software (such as word processing and spreadsheet packages) for graphical presentation of data and production of reports;

8. an ability to write essays on specific physics-related topics as an exercise in written (scientific) communication.

Intellectual Skills: By the end of the Physics degree programme, a successful student will:1. have acquired cognitive skills appropriate to a graduate in Physics, including abstract modelling and analysis;

2. be able to describe and comment upon a selection of key topics in physics;

3. be able to plan, conduct and report (orally and in writing) on a programme of investigation and (MPhys only) be able to evaluate the significance of their results;

4. be able to integrate and evaluate information from a variety of sources;

5. appreciate the key role of error estimates in physics;

6. be able to extract relevant information from published sources, both printed and electronic, and to reference work in an appropriate manner.

Transferable Skills: By the end of the Physics (BSc) degree programme, successful students are expected to be able to: 1. take decisions in complex and unpredictable contexts;

2. apply a selection of mathematical, numerical or computational skills;

3. communicate scientific information orally and in writing;

4. take responsibility for their own learning, and manage their time appropriately.

Full-time course composition