Module PHYS3561: KEY SKILLS A

Department: Physics

PHYS3561: KEY SKILLS A

Pre-requisites

Corequisites

Excluded Combinations

Aims

• This module is designed primarily for students studying Department of Physics or Natural Science four year degree programmes.
• It aims to develop transferable skills in researching a topic and making oral and written presentations on the findings, computer skills, an awareness of the impact of physics on society and the environment.
• It aims to practise and reinforce basics physics concepts.

Content

• The syllabus contains:
• Practice in problem solving using basic physics concepts.
• Use of a computer to solve problems using a variety of modern computing techniques.
• Study of the literature on a topic of choice at an advanced level and the preparation of written and oral presentations of the findings.
• Case studies in scientific methodology which show how scientific knowledge influences and is influenced by wider pressures in society.
• Lectures on the elements of weather and climate, global warming, solar UV and life, pollution transport processes.

Learning Outcomes

• Having studied this module students will be aware of how scientific knowledge influences and is influenced by wider pressure in society.
• They will be familiar with the physical description of the environment and the ways in which we relate to and make use of it.

• Students will have developed enhanced problem solving skills and an improved understanding of basic physics.
• They will have gained experience of solving physical problems using modern computing techniques.

• Students will have the necessary skills to study the literature on a topic at an advanced level and make both written and oral presentations of the findings.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

• Teaching will be by computer classes, tutorials, lectures and examples classes.
• The computer classes are designed to allow each student to develop skills in solving problems using modern computing techniques.
• The skills covered are transferable to a wide range of activities.
• Students will be able to obtain help and guidance through discussions with computing demonstrators.
• The tutorials provide support for research into an advanced topic of choice and provide a forum for developing oral and written presentation skills.
• Students receive guidance and feedback on their essay and presentation to the tutorial group.
• The lectures give an introduction to the role of physics in society and an appreciation of physical processes in the environment.
• The examples classes provide the opportunity to develop problem solving skills and to reinforce material learned in earlier years.
• Student performance is formatively assessed through the essay poster and the general problems collection and summatively assessed through a formal report for the computing project, through the essay and presentation, through problem exercises and through a three-hour written examination.
• The examination will provide the means for students to demonstrate their knowledge of basic physics concepts and the development of their problem-solving skills.
• The computing classes, tutorials, examples classes and problem exercises provide opportunity for feedback, for students to gauge their progress and for staff to monitor progress throughout the duration of the module.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Summative Assessment

Formative Assessment

General problems collection. Essay poster session.