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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 with Astrophysics (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 and providing in addition a sound introduction to some important topics in astrophysics. There is the flexibility to study more courses in astrophysics or to choose other options in physics. All students undertake a final-year project, which may be in any of the active research groups in the department, where they develop the ability to work independently and to understand original research literature. As with all our programmes, there are opportunities to transfer to other physics-based degree programmes at appropriate stages.The Physics with Astrophysics (MPhys) degree programme aims, in addition, to provide advanced practical and theoretical training, in line with Institute of Physics guidelines, that will prepare students to become professional physicists or astrophysicists. Many of our MPhys graduates go on to study for a PhD degree in physics or astrophysics.Sussex is a small and friendly department where students will have many opportunities to get to know, be taught by and work with research-active faculty. Astrophysics is particularly strong at Sussex and a new roof-top observatory is planned to include a radio telescope. 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 (MPhys) degree programme, a successful student will: 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 thorough understanding of a range of specialist topics in physics-related subjects

Practical skills: By the end of the programme, successful students will demonstrate a majority of the following practical skills: 1. an ability to execute experiments in an experimental laboratory with due safety precautions

2. 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 advanced numerical problems using computer or non-computer based techniques

6. an ability to carry out 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 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

Transferable Skills: By the end of the 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