Module PHYS3561: PHYSICS PROBLEM SOLVING

Department: Physics

PHYS3561: PHYSICS PROBLEM SOLVING

Prerequisites

• Laboratory Skills and Electronics (PHYS2641) AND Foundations of Physics 1 (PHYS1122).

Corequisites

• None.

Excluded Combination of Modules

• None.

Aims

• This module is designed primarily for students studying Department of Physics or Natural Science degree programmes.
• To practise and reinforce basic physics concepts.
• To develop students’ problem-solving skills, both in general physics and in advanced computational physics.
• To develop computer skills.
• To reproduce and then extend the results of a classic research paper.
• To develop transferable skills in researching a topic and making oral and written presentations on the findings.

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 and the preparation of written and oral presentations.

Learning Outcomes

• Having studied this module students will have formed an appreciation of the physics related to a chosen topic.

• 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.
• They will have the skills to plan and carry out an extended project at an advanced level.
• They will have demonstrated knowledge of scientific background and theoretical considerations.
• They will have demonstrated the ability to produce a clear, detailed scientific report with appropriate presentation.

• Students will have the necessary skills to make written and oral presentations on their work.

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

• Teaching will be by computer classes, tutorials and workshops.
• The computer classes are designed to allow each student to obtain help and guidance through discussions with computing demonstrators.
• The skills covered are transferable to a wide range of activities.
• The tutorials provide support for research into an advanced topic of choice, develop skills in solving problems using modern computing techniques and provide a forum for developing oral and written presentation skills.
• Students receive guidance and feedback on their presentation to the tutorial group and on their poster.
• The workshops provide the opportunity to develop problem solving skills and to reinforce material learned in earlier years.
• Student performance is formatively assessed through the general problems collection and summatively assessed through the computing project and through an open-book 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 tutorials, computing classes and workshops 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. Milestone computer program. Problem exercises and self-assessment; workshops and problems solved therein.

■ Attendance at all activities marked with this symbol will be monitored. Students who fail to attend these activities, or to complete the summative or formative assessment specified above, will be subject to the procedures defined in the University's General Regulation V, and may be required to leave the University