Physics (2023)
1. Programme Title:Physics |
NQF Level: |
6 |
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2. Description of the Programme (as in the Business Approval Form) |
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This physics programme will give you an excellent understanding of mainstream physics and develop your scientific intuition and prepare you for a wide range of careers. Our physics programmes are designed around a core curriculum, which can lead naturally on to PhD-level research or towards a more specialised qualification such as an MSc, and all are accredited by the Institute of Physics.
In Stage 1 you will develop your understanding of physics and become familiar with a variety of basic mathematical tools. The concepts and phenomena you will meet are many and varied, but are united by the underlying principles of physics. In a typical week you will spend 15 hours in a formal teaching environment, and be expected to spend a further 20 hours in independent study. You will have four hours of lectures in physics, two in mathematics, one tutorial, six hours in the teaching laboratories and two hours in problem-solving classes.
Stage 2 provides a firm foundation of physics, and the principles that constitute the framework of the subject. The use of mathematics gives these principles a precise form and provides physicists with the ability to make detailed quantitative predictions. This year focuses on four main cornerstones of physics: condensed matter, quantum mechanics, electromagnetism and thermodynamics. These provide the core of most of physics and of our understanding of the evolution of our universe. The other modules in your second and subsequent years draw in part on your knowledge of this core. There is a 0-credit Employability and Placement Preparation module that all Stage 2 students can take. This will benefit those who are considering doing a work placement/year in industry as part of their degree programme and is highly recommended for those who are already on the “with Professional Placement” element of their degree programme. There will be support sessions and workshops by Careers Consultants and speakers from industry that will prepare students for the recruitment cycle and applying for placements.
Stage 3 develops your problem-solving and knowledge of core physics in key areas, such as nuclear and high-energy particle physics and electrodynamics. You will also apply this knowledge to more specialised areas covered by astrophysics modules.
Stage 3 of this MPhys Physics programme also involves substantial project work on a topic related to one of the Department's astrophysics research area. You will work in a small group (typically three or four, but with individual roles), to undertake a project that will continue to completion at the end of your final year. The projects are original and open-ended, i.e., they each focus on a previously unstudied area or problem. You will meet with your supervisor (a professor or lecturer) once a week to discuss progress and future work.
In Stage 4, about half your time will be spent on masters-level core and optional physics modules with work on your research project, continuing from Stage 3, filling the remainder. You will also be encouraged to attend research seminars from visiting speakers, attend the weekly group meetings held by the Department's research groups, and engage with the PhD students and researchers who work here.
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3. Educational Aims of the Programme |
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This programme is intended to:
Physics and Astronomy intends to provide students taking this programme with:
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4. Programme Structure |
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The programme is divided into units of study called modules. The credit rating of a module is proportional to the total workload. One credit is nominally equivalent to 10 hours of work. The level of a module indicates its position in the progressive development of academic cognitive abilities, and/or practical skills. An elective is an unspecified module that allows the student to broaden their education, e.g. by learning a foreign language. More details are given in the published module descriptors.
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5. Programme Modules |
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Stage 1
Code | Title | Credits | Compulsory | NonCondonable |
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PHY1021 | Vector Mechanics | 15 | Yes | Yes |
PHY1022 | Introduction to Astrophysics | 15 | Yes | Yes |
PHY1025 | Mathematics Skills | 15 | Yes | Yes |
PHY1027 | Practical Physics I | 15 | Yes | Yes |
PHY1023 | Waves and Optics | 15 | Yes | Yes |
PHY1024 | Properties of Matter | 15 | Yes | Yes |
PHY1026 | Mathematics for Physicists | 15 | Yes | Yes |
PHY1031 | Scientific Programming in Python | 15 | No | No |
Stage 2
Code | Title | Credits | Compulsory | NonCondonable |
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PHY2021 | Electromagnetism I | 15 | Yes | Yes |
PHY2022 | Quantum Mechanics I | 15 | Yes | Yes |
PHY2025 | Mathematics with Physical Applications | 15 | Yes | Yes |
PHY2026 | Practical Physics II | 15 | Yes | Yes |
PHY2023 | Thermal Physics | 15 | Yes | Yes |
PHY2024 | Condensed Matter I | 15 | Yes | Yes |
Choose 15 credits of List 2a options: | ||||
PHY2027 | Scientific Programming in C | 15 | No | No |
PHY2029 | The Physics of Living Systems | 15 | No | No |
PHY2032 | Analytical and Chaotic Dynamics | 15 | No | No |
Elective (Term 1) | 15 | No | No | |
Choose 15 credits of List 2b options | ||||
PHY2030 | Observing the Universe | 15 | No | No |
PHY2037 | Nonlinear Optics and Imaging | 15 | No | No |
PHY2222 | Physics of Climate Change | 15 | No | No |
Elective (Term 2) | 15 | No | No | |
PHY2038 | Employability and Placement Preparation | 0 | No | No |
Please note that 0-credit module PHY2038 Employability and Placement Preparation is entirely optional and can be taken in addition to a weighted module. It is recommended to those Stage 2 students who are considering or are on the 'with Professional Placement' element of their degree programme.
Stage 3
Code | Title | Credits | Compulsory | NonCondonable |
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PHY3055 | Electromagnetism and Quantum Mechanics | 15 | Yes | No |
PHY3053 | General Problems | 15 | Yes | No |
PHY3052 | Nuclear and High Energy Physics | 15 | Yes | No |
Choose 30 credits of List 3a options: | ||||
PHY3061 | The Biophysics of Cells and Tissues | 15 | No | No |
PHY3062 | Methods of Theoretical Physics | 15 | No | No |
PHY3064 | Nanostructures and Graphene Science | 15 | No | No |
PHY3070 | Stars from Birth to Death | 15 | No | No |
Elective (Term 1) | 15 | No | No | |
Choose 15 credits of List 3b options: | ||||
PHY3066 | Galaxies and High Energy Astrophysics | 15 | No | No |
PHY3068 | Principles of Theoretical Physics | 15 | No | No |
PHY3071 | Soft Matter | 15 | No | No |
PHY3220 | Fluid Dynamics in Physics and Astronomy | 15 | No | No |
PHY3222 | Energy, Materials and Sustainability | 15 | No | No |
Elective (Term 2) | 15 | No | No | |
Choose 30 credits of List 3p options: | ||||
PHY3138 | Projects and Dissertations | 30 | No | Yes |
PHY3147 | One-Semester Physics Project and Report | 15 | No | Yes |
PHY3150 | Applying Physics (Group Project) | 15 | No | No |
Students must take either PHY3138 (30 credits) or PHY3147 (15 credits) AND PHY3150 (15 credits).
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning & Assessment Methods |
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On successfully completing the programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be accommodated & facilitated by the following learning & teaching and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |||
A Specialised Subject Skills & Knowledge
| Learning & Teaching Activities
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Assessment Methods
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B Academic Discipline Core Skills & Knowledge
| Learning & Teaching Activities
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Assessment Methods
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C Personal / Transferable / Employment Skills & Knowledge
| Learning & Teaching Activities
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Assessment Methods
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7. Programme Regulations |
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7.1. Credit
This BSc programme consists of 360 credits with 120 credits taken at each stage. Normally not more than 75 credits would be allowed in any one term. In total, participants normally take no more than 120 credits at NQF level 4, and must take at least 120 credits at NQF level 6. The pass mark for award of credit in UG modules (NQF levels 4-6) is 40%.
7.2. Progression
Up to 30 credits of failure can be condoned in a stage of this BSc Programme on the following conditions:
7.3. Assessment and Awards
Assessment at stage 1 does not contribute to the summative classification of the award. The award will normally be based on the degree mark formed from the credit-weighted average marks for stages 2 and 3 combined in the ratio 1:2 respectively.
7.4. Classification
The marking of modules and the classification of awards broadly corresponds to the following marks:
Undergraduate Programmes
Class I 70%+
Class II Division I 60–69%
Class II Division II 50–59%
Class III 40–49%
Full details of assessment regulations for UG programmes and PGT programmes can be found on the University of Exeter website:
Generic marking criteria are also published here:
Please see the Teaching and Quality Assurance Manual for further guidance.
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8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning |
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8.1. Infrastructure and Learning Environment
Comprehensive details of this programme, support for its students and the learning environment are published in the Physics Handbook:
Physical facilities include: well-equipped teaching and research laboratories, a mechanical student-workshop supervised by technicians, computer workstations and classrooms, social and quiet-working space for students.
8.2. Personal and Academic Tutoring
It is University policy that all Colleges should have in place a system of academic and personal tutors. The role of academic tutors is to support you on individual modules; the role of personal tutors is to provide you with advice and support for the duration of the programme and extends to providing you with details of how to obtain support and guidance on personal difficulties such as accommodation, financial difficulties and sickness. You can also make an appointment to see individual teaching staff.
Students on this programme are assigned a physics tutor, who combines the academic and personal roles and holds small-group (typically five students) tutorial meetings lasting an hour each week during the teaching periods. Further details of this system are published in the Physics Handbook:
Each programme stage is supported and overseen by a stage coordinator (senior tutor) responsible for monitoring all aspects of the student experience:
8.3. Library and Other Learning Resources
In addition to a large number of journals and academic works, the nearby University stocks reference and/or for-loan copies of all recommended texts for Physics modules. Where possible e-Books and e-Journal subscriptions are purchased to allow internet access.
Each module has its own page on ELE, the Exeter virtual learning environment. Resources available for each module normally include sets of lecture slides/notes, video capture recordings of lectures, problems sets and examples, resources for self-study, etc.
8.4. Local Access to Computers and Printers
There are approximately 100 computer workstations reserved for undergraduate use within the Physics Building. Facilities include two computer classrooms, printers and further provision within practical laboratories. Further details are published in the Physics Handbook:
8.5. Student-Staff Liaison Committee
The Student-Staff Liaison Committee (SSLC) enables students and staff to participate jointly in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision.
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10. Admission Criteria |
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All applications are considered individually on merit. The University is committed to an equal opportunities policy with respect to gender, age, race, sexual orientation and/or disability when dealing with applications. It is also committed to widening access to higher education to students from a diverse range of backgrounds and experience.
Candidates must satisfy the:
10.1. Minimum Requirements
The equivalent of at least:
one grade A and one grade B in GCE AL Maths and Physics, or
at least one HL6 and one HL5 in IB Mathematics and Physics
are required for all Physics programmes. Applicants with other qualifications (for example the Access to Higher Education Diploma or Open University credits) may need to pass an AL-style mathematics test to demonstrate ability. This test will be undertaken as part of an interview.
Applicants who meet our entry criteria will be invited to visit the Department between November and March. Places are not normally offered to applicants who do not participate in an interview.
10.2. Further Details
Further details, including typical offers and English language requirements for International students are published on the University's Admissions webpages:
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11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards |
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Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. For details see:
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12. Indicators of Quality and Standards |
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Certain programmes are subject to accreditation and/or review by professional and statutory regulatory bodies (PSRBs).
This programme is accredited by the Institute of Physics.
For more information, refer to the Physics Handbook:
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14 | Awarding Institution | University of Exeter | |
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15 | Lead College / Teaching Institution | College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences | |
16 | Partner College / Institution | N/A | |
17 | Programme accredited/validated by | Institute of Physics (IOP) | |
18 | Final Award(s) | BSc (Hons) | |
19 | UCAS Code (UG programmes) | F300 | |
20 | NQF Level of Final Awards(s): | 6 | |
21 | Credit (CATS and ECTS) | 360 Credits (180 ECTS) | |
22 | QAA Subject Benchmarking Group (UG and PGT programmes) | Physics, Astronomy and Astrophysics |
23 | Origin Date | February 8th 2023 | Last Date of Revision: | September 21st 2023 |
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