| Unit name | From Quarks to the Cosmos |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHYS20039 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Professor. Ben Maughan |
| Open unit status | Not open |
| Units you must take before you take this one (pre-requisite units) |
PHYS10012 Core Physics I: Classical, Quantum and Thermal Physics |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
PHYS20040 From Classical to Modern Physics |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
None |
| School/department | School of Physics |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Why is this unit important?
Interactions between elementary particles are governed by 4 forces: the electromagnetic, the strong, the weak force and gravity. These interactions explain how elementary particles interact, what is inside protons and neutrons, how nuclei are built, how they decay and how the universe is shaped. We will introduce you to the particles, their interactions and models that describe the growth and evolution of the Universe from these early moments to the present day, along with the observational evidence that support and challenge these models. The course will finish with practical applications of nuclear decay reactions in medicine and power generation.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit forms a second year option, introducing you to wider concepts in Physics and connecting concepts in two branches of physics – particle physics at one end of the physical scale to cosmology at the other end of the scale. You will use concepts from your first and second year core physics including Newtonian mechanics and special relativity. You will develop an understanding of the central principles of particle physics and cosmology. Key concepts that will support optional units in third and fourth year include using Feynman diagrams, understanding nuclear decay and reactions and calculating distances to objects on cosmological scales.
An overview of content
This unit will build on topics from your first year of study and develop this with a particular focus on particle physics and cosmology. Topic areas will include
How will Students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
This unit will take some of the principles covered in your first and second year of study and apply these to more specialised topics within Physics; you will see how the physical methods introduced in Year One and Two can be applied in a wider context and further develop your intuition in acting as a physicist.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this unit, you should 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, access to online quizzes 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 (lectures, 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 problems support. Along with this time there is an expectation of personal study in line with the University statement on student workloads.
Some sessions may require preparation beforehand (e.g. watching a video, reading a textbook chapter or journal article or similar); where these materials are provided, you should aim to spend around one hour of preparation time for one hour of face-to-face teaching. This will allow you to make the most of class discussions and activities.
Problem classes will be conducted in a range of group sizes, where you will be able to discuss the problems with other students and staff.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
When assessment does not go to plan
If you do not pass the summer exam you may have the opportunity to take it in the next available assessment period.* The reassessment will take the form of a single examination covering all learning objectives and in a similar format to the Summer assessment. You should contact the Senior Tutor if you think your assessment might not be going to plan, and you can discuss with your personal tutor for support. If you feel your examinations have been affected by any exceptional circumstances, you must contact the 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. PHYS20039).
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.
