| Unit name | From Classical to Modern Physics |
|---|---|
| Unit code | PHYS20040 |
| Credit points | 40 |
| Level of study | I/5 |
| Teaching block(s) |
Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24) |
| Unit director | Dr. Skrzypczyk |
| 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) |
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 will continue developing your core knowledge in Physics; in addition to building on areas we started in Year One (including quantum and thermodynamics) we will introduce new areas of relativistic physics and the phenomena around electromagnetism. This will serve to further develop your intuition as a physicist and enhance your awareness of the physical universe; interpreting, applying and developing mathematical models to gain deeper understanding of the world around us.
How does this unit fit into your programme of study?
This unit is the second step of developing your core knowledge of Physics. You will take the teaching from Y1 Introduction to Quantum physics, and develop this further to explain real-world phenomena; you will learn how to connect the thermodynamic principles in Y1 with the microscopic world of particles to better understand the fundamental nature of matter. Additionally you will learn about the fundamental relationship between electricity and magnetism which underpins much of our understanding of the interactions of light and matter.
An Overview of Content
This unit will build on topics from your first year of study, while also introducing new areas of physics which are built on your increased understanding of physics from Year One.
How will students, personally, be different as a result of the unit
This unit will further strengthen your physics understanding; in year one we focussed on learning how to translate problems into the language of Physics and Mathematics; this unit will develop that intuition for you to act and communicate naturally 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, and other learning resources.
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 pre-recorded videos, textbook references etc.).
The unit will consist of around 60 hours of content delivery with 20 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 have emphasis on problem-based learning, where you will be able to discuss the problems with others in a group.
Tasks which help you learn and prepare you for summative tasks (formative):
You will have 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 four pieces of assessed coursework, one covering each component of the unit. Each coursework will contribute 7.5% of the unit mark for a total contribution of 30%. (ILOs 1-4)
Examinations covering all learning objectives:
Assessment breakdown
When assessment does not go to plan
If you do not pass the summer exam you may have the opportunity to take the exam 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, but covering all areas of the unit. 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. PHYS20040).
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.
