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FHEQ level

This course is set at Level 7 (Masters) in the national Framework for Higher Education Qualifications.

Course Aims

The programme aims to provide a stimulating intellectual challenge for very well qualified students (AAA at A-level). It consists of the full MPhys programme in the relevant major, together with an 8 week research placement in each of the summers before years 2 to 4. Students will work as members of one of the department's research groups in physics or astrophysics, and will receive a stipend to cover living expenses. This programme will provide students with opportunities for learning about research methods and practices at the same time as developing their knowledge and understanding of physics. It is likely that one or more research publications will result from their work. Their involvement in an active research group will give a unique training for a later research career.
The research placement will be assessed by a report at the end of each placement, and a high standard will be required to remain on the programme.

Course learning outcomes

A. Knowledge and Understanding. At the end of the Theoretical Physics (MPhys) degree programme, a successful student is expected to: 1. have demonstrated a systematic understanding of the fundamental laws and principles of physics, together with a critical awareness of current problems in physics;

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

3. be aware of the current limits to knowledge in physics and be able to evaluate critically the methodologies used to explore these limits;

4. be able to solve advanced problems in physics using appropriate mathematical or computational tools. Students will be able to identify the relevant physical principles, to translate problems into mathematical statements and to apply their knowledge to obtain order-of-magnitude or more precise solutions as appropriate;

5. have demonstrated originality in the application of knowledge, together with a practical understanding of how established techniques of research and enquiry are used to create and interpret knowledge in physics;

6. have a good understanding of, and particular skills in, the theoretical, mathematical, or computational aspects of physics.

B. Intellectual Skills By the end of the Theoretical Physics (BSc and MPhys) 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 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;

7. be able to understand and critically evaluate current research and, where appropriate, to suggest new ideas;

C. Practical Skills. By the end of the Theoretical Physics degree programme, successful students will demonstrate a majority of the following: 1. familiarity and competence in handling computers safely;

2. an ability to use computing equipment to generate data;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

3. communicate scientific information effectively, orally and in writing;

4. work and learn independently, including taking responsibility for their own learning, and managing their time appropriately.

X. At the end of the programme, in addition to the Learning Outcomes for the individual majors, the successful student will: 1. have knowledge and understanding of research methods;

2. be able to apply results from the research literature to new problems;

3. have developed practical skills, in developing and/or running appropriate computer software (for theoretical placements);

4. be able to work independently in a research environment, and also to work as part of a research team.

Full-time course composition