Durham University
Programme and Module Handbook

Undergraduate Programme and Module Handbook 2022-2023 (archived)

Module FOUD0029: Concepts, Methods and Theories in Mechanics

Department: Foundation Year (Durham)

FOUD0029: Concepts, Methods and Theories in Mechanics

Type Open Level 0 Credits 15 Availability Available in 2022/23 Module Cap None. Location Durham

Prerequisites

Corequisites

  • Mathematics 3

Excluded Combination of Modules

  • Mathematics 1, Mathematics 2

Aims

  • The CMT modules are designed to introduce students to concepts, methods and theories within the student’s chosen discipline. The CMT modules provide a lens through which students engage with knowledge and knowledge creation in their chosen discipline; the Scholarship in Higher Education module provides the tool-kit for their engagement and communication of knowledge; and the Advanced Scholarship in Higher Education module provides an iterative experience of bringing toolkit and lens together to provide students with the opportunity to actively engage in the process of knowledge generation and communication by completing a research project within the student’s chosen discipline.
  • To introduce Newtonian physics for physical science degree progression routes.
  • To introduce skills to solve Newtonian physics problems in real life contexts.
  • To introduce the ability to communicate work successfully
  • Skills and other attributes 
  • This module also supports the overall programme aims to enable students to have:
  • acquired the ability to work confidently with a range of academic materials and sources (as appropriate to progression subject area);
  • acquired a level of self-efficacy in relation to workload management, basic academic autonomy and a learner identity as an effective university student;

Content

  • Newton’s laws of physics
  • Application of calculus in Mechanics

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:
  • By the end of the module students will have demonstrated:
  • 1. Knowledge of a range of relevant subject concepts
  • 2. Knowledge of a range of relevant mathematics methods
  • 3. Knowledge of a range of relevant vocabulary
Subject-specific Skills:
  • By the end of the module students will be able to:
  • 1. Demonstrate the appropriate use of a range of relevant mathematics concepts in response to specific assessment tasks
  • 2. Demonstrate the appropriate use of relevant mathematics methods in response to specific assessment tasks
  • 3. Demonstrate the appropriate use of a range of relevant vocabulary in response to specific assessment tasks
Key Skills:
  • By the end of the module students will be able to:
  • 1. Demonstrate logical thinking
  • 2. Demonstrate effective communication using appropriate academic styles

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

  • This module will be delivered using a combination of lectures and seminars/tutorials on a weekly basis. Students will be taught concepts and then challenged to apply them in a variety of contextual tasks that are designed to lead to achieving the module outcomes.
  • The CMT assessments are designed to ascertain whether students have successfully engaged with concepts, methods, and theories in their chosen discipline, and are able to apply these in response to assessment tasks.
  • In this module, the Test’s primary function is to allows students to demonstrate the range and sophistication of their engagement with the module’s Reference/Factual knowledge, contextually and selectively applying this knowledge in response to specific test questions, with the secondary focus on the key skills of Academic communication under timed conditions (as they are likely to experience in their subsequent years of study).
  • The Continuous Assessment allows students to demonstrate the range and sophistication of their engagement with the module’s Reference/Factual knowledge, and Process knowledge in response to specific test questions, with the secondary focus on the key skills of Academic communication, as the module progresses. This Continuous Assessment helps to ensure students are making the appropriate progress in this highly progressive module (I.e. requiring the competence in skills and knowledge as perquisites of further study).

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

Activity Number Frequency Duration Total/Hours
Seminars* 10 2x2 hours per week 40
Preparation, Reading, Orientation Task 110
Total 150

Summative Assessment

Component: Test Component Weighting: 70%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
Test 2 hours 100% Yes
Component: Continuous Assessment Component Weighting: 30%
Element Length / duration Element Weighting Resit Opportunity
+Regular written assignments. Normally, each will consist of solving problems and will typically be one or two pages long. Students will have about one week to complete each assignment. 100% Yes

Formative Assessment:

A regular formative tasks are used to help students work towards module outcomes and to iteratively build competency towards each respective summative assessment.


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