Study information

General Problems - 2023 entry

MODULE TITLEGeneral Problems CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEPHY3053 MODULE CONVENERDr Peter Petrov (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11 11
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 101
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content
Problem-solving is the process of answering questions by using reasoning beyond the mere application of pre-learned procedures. This is a synoptic module that presents students with unfamiliar problems to solve. It requires them to draw on the skills and knowledge of core physics they have built up over their three years at University in order to develop their own solutions to these problems.
 
AIMS - intentions of the module
Professional physicists are expected to able to tackle many problems by the appropriate application of basic physical laws and by doing so demonstrate their knowledge of the relevant laws and deepen their understanding of the physical world. The ability to solve problems is also an essential life-skill, and most physics graduates earn a living not from their detailed knowledge of physics, but from their ability to solve their employers' problems. The aim of this module is to develop students' problem-solving ability and experience.
 
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)
A student who has passed this module should be able to:
 
Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
1. use core physics knowlege and skills from Stages 1-3 of a Physics programme to solve unfamiliar problems;
 
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
2. transform textual and/or diagrammatic descriptions of systems into mathematical models;
3. identify relevant and irrelevant information in a stated problem and supplement it with the general and subject-specific knowledge required to obtain a solution;
4. design, execute and check a solution to a physical problem;
5. solve problems and check solutions by considering and/or exploiting: dimensional analysis, symmetry, scaling properties, functional form, algebraic validity, limiting values and special cases, numerical reasonableness and units, etc.;
6. make and justify appropriate estimates and approximations.
7. explain and resolve paradoxes;
8. identify the basic physical laws relevant to solving problems involving unfamiliar systems;
9. identify, and correct, fallacious reasoning and/or the incorrect application of physical laws;
 
Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:
10. present written solutions to problems in a manner that makes clear the methods, reasoning and assumptions used.
 

 

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

The examination may consist of problems on any area of physics. However, these will be soluble by applying laws and techniques included within the core modules common to the Physics programmes that include this module. Booklets of past questions and their mark schemes are publish on ELE (see link below). past examination papers and the associated solutions and hints are useful guide to the style of problems that they can expect to encounter in the assessment.

LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 17 Guided Independent Study 133 Placement / Study Abroad
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning & teaching activities 11 hours 11×1-hour problem-solving classes
Guided independent study 18 hours 9×2-hour follow-up exercises
Guided independent study 18 hours 9×2-hour problem-sets
Scheduled learning & teaching activities 6 hours 6×1-hour tutorials
Guided independent study 97 hours Reading, private study and revision

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Problems assigned by tutor (0%) 1×2-hour problem-set (Term 1, Week 8) 1-10 Written and verbal
Problems assigned by tutor (0%) 5×2-hour problem-sets (fortnightly in Term 2) 1-10 Written and verbal
       
       
       

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 0 Written Exams 100 Practical Exams
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Final Examination 100% 2 hours 30 minutes (May/June) 1-10 Mark via MyExeter, collective feedback via ELE and solutions.
         
         
         
         

 

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Original Form of Assessment Form of Re-assessment ILOs Re-assessed Time Scale for Re-assessment
Whole module Written examination (100%) 1-10 August/September assessment period

Re-assessment is not available except when required by referral or deferral.

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES
An original assessment that is based on both examination and coursework, tests, etc., is considered as a single element for the purpose of referral; i.e., the referred mark is based on the referred examination only, discounting all previous marks. In the event that the mark for a referred assessment is lower than that of the original assessment, the original higher mark will be retained.
 
Physics Modules with PHY Codes
Referred examinations will only be available in PHY3064, PHYM004 and those other modules for which the original assessment includes an examination component - this information is given in individual module descriptors.
RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener
ELE:
 

Reading list for this module:

There are currently no reading list entries found for this module.

CREDIT VALUE 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES PHY1021, PHY1022, PHY1023, PHY1024, PHY2021, PHY2022, PHY2023, PHY2024
CO-REQUISITE MODULES PHY3051, PHYM002, PHY3055, PHY3052
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 6 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Thursday 15th December 2011 LAST REVISION DATE Thursday 26th January 2023
KEY WORDS SEARCH Physics; Problem-solving; Physical laws; Unfamiliar problems.

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.