| Unit name | Themes of Modern Physics A |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHYS30042 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 1 (weeks 1 - 12) |
| Unit director | Professor. Bremer |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
120 credit points at Level I/5 in single or joint honours physics. |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
N/A |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
N/A |
| School/department | School of Physics |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Why is this unit important?
This unit gives you an opportunity to apply your knowledge of physics gained in previous years in a selection of topics of your choice. You will pick two subject areas in which to apply your mathematics and problem-solving skills to describe and predict real-world phenomena, while learning the specialist methods used and recent developments in your chosen areas. In this unit you will expand your perspective on physics beyond the common core of physics to encompass active areas of physics research, incorporating the subjects under research here in Bristol.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
The discipline-specific knowledge developed in each topic available in this unit builds directly upon the foundations you have established in previous years. The ability to apply your physics knowledge across topic boundaries and the opportunity to gain appreciation of recent developments in physics are key requirement for the accreditation of our Physics programmes by the Institute of Physics.
An overview of content
In this unit you will select two of the topics listed below:
Option 1: Quantum Physics*
Option 2: Computational Physics*
Option 3: Biophysics
This topic is complementary to the Nanophysics topic available in “Themes of Modern Physics B” – either topic can be studied independently of the other, but they provide interesting context to one another.
Option 4: Galaxies
Option 5: Analytical Mechanics
Option 6: Physics World**
Option 7: Introduction to Computational Physics***
For more information on individual option content, please see the School of Physics Options Handbook.
Please note the following restrictions.
∗ Students on MSci programmes must not select either Quantum Physics or Computational Physics
∗∗ Physics World is space-limited; spaces may be prioritised
∗∗∗ Introduction to Computational Physics is only available to students on Physics and Philosophy and Mathematics and Physics Programmes who did not study computational physics in their second year.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit?
Exploring themes in detail will shape your physics expertise, focusing on areas you find most interesting. You will apply your core physics knowledge to active areas of physics and explore topics closer to the frontiers of our collective understanding. By choosing specialisms as a physicist you will develop an appreciation of the breadth of modern physics.
Learning Outcomes
You will be able to:
The unit is organised through our on-line learning environment (OLE). This is where you will find information about the unit, lecture notes, any pre-recorded videos, recordings of lectures and live sessions, and other learning resources.
All teaching activities will be delivered face-to-face (barring intervention from exceptional events), and it is an expectation that you engage with these activities. Learning activities will be split across in-class activities (problems classes) and those around your own private study (for example online quizzes, videos, textbook references etc.).
The unit will consist of around 30 hours of content delivery with 10 hours of support. You are expected to take responsibility for your own learning, engaging in independent study outside of course contact hours, in line with the University statement on student workloads, and going beyond explicitly taught material as appropriate.
The topics “Quantum Physics”, “Biophysics”, “Galaxies”, and “Analytical Mechanics” are supported by problems classes.
Problems classes will usually take place bi-weekly and give you the opportunity to practice the application of the skills and knowledge you have acquired in problem-solving exercises. Facilitators will be available to provide feedback on your understanding.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
You will have a series of assignments which do not count for assessment but will help to further your understanding. There will be regular problems classes to help you gain rapid feedback on your understanding and to ask questions of the facilitator. This will help you quantify your own understanding and help others recognise their own understanding, and to gain verbal feedback on your problem-solving skills.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
When assessment does not go to plan:
If you do not pass the unit, you may have the opportunity to retake the assessment in the next available assessment period, subject to passing a minimum overall number of credits for the year. Resit assessments are not available for those students in their final year of study. You should contact your Senior Tutor if you think your assessment may not be going to plan, and you can discuss with your personal tutor for support. If you feel your assessments have been affected by any exceptional circumstances, you must contact your Senior Tutor before the advertised cut-off date.
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. PHYS30042).
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 assessment methods listed in this unit specification are designed to enable students to demonstrate the named learning outcomes (LOs). Where a disability prevents a student from undertaking a specific method of assessment, schools will make reasonable adjustments to support a student to demonstrate the LO by an alternative method or with additional resources.
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.
