| Unit name | Environmental Physics |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHYS30049 |
| Credit points | 20 |
| Level of study | H/6 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 2 (weeks 13 - 24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Moore |
| 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 PHYS20040 From Classical to Modern Physics |
| Units you must take alongside this one (co-requisite units) |
- |
| Units you may not take alongside this one |
- |
| School/department | School of Physics |
| Faculty | Faculty of Science |
Why is this unit important?
This third-year undergraduate physics unit will give you a broad perspective of the Earth’s changing climate, going from the grandest scale (the planetary system) to the local scale (application of fluid dynamics), down to the very human scale of how power is generated and distributed and how all of these influence the Earth’s climate and weather. This unit then takes these fundamental lessons in climate and applies them to different planetary conditions, such as other worlds in our solar system and out to exoplanets. It is a unit which will highlight the role Physics plays in understanding our world and the role Physics will play in a sustainable climate.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit forms part of the third year options portfolio for physics students; a suite of options designed to explore the wider applications of physics as well as further depth in specific areas. Your choice of options will help to shape the physicist you will become.
An overview of content
From treating the Earth as a planet like any other, and considering the peculiarities of our atmosphere, through to examination of the basic laws of fluid dynamics and their application to every-day phenomena of weather systems and ocean waves, you will explore a variety of themes where physics is embraced by the environment around us.
Atmospheres, Climate and Other Worlds: You will learn
Power generation and Distribution: You will learn
Modelling Waves, Wind and Weather; you will learn:
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
By the end of this unit, you will have gained understanding of climate physics as an interdisciplinary science and will be able to relate your physics knowledge to other environments, as well as increasing the depth of your understanding in the sustainability of the Earth’s climate.
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 (where appropriate) 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 and all will have emphasis on problem-based learning, where you will be able to discuss the problems with others in your group.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
There will be regular problems classes, allowing you to ask questions of the facilitator to help you quantify your own understanding and that of others, and to gain verbal feedback on your problem solving skills.
Tasks which count towards your unit mark (summative):
You will complete two summative assignments:
When assessment does not go to plan
If you do not pass the coursework assessment, you may have the opportunity to retake retake any failed components in the next available assessment period. *
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. PHYS30049).
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.
