PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION

PROGRAMME SPECIFICATION

Programme title: / BSc Physics
Final award (BSc, MA etc):
(where stopping off points exist they should be detailed here and defined later in the document) / BSc
UCAS code:
(where applicable) / F300
Cohort(s) to which this programme specification is applicable:
(e.g. from 2008 intake onwards) / September 2003 onwards
Awarding institution/body: / University College London
Teaching institution: / University College London
Faculty: / MAPS
Parent Department:
(the department responsible for the administration of the programme) / Physics and Astronomy

Departmental web page address:

(if applicable) / www.phys.ucl.ac.uk
Method of study:
Full-time/Part-time/Other / Full time
Criteria for admission to the programme: / AAA-AAB including A in Maths and A in Physics
Length of the programme:
(please note any periods spent away from UCL, such as study abroad or placements in industry) / 3 academic years
Level on Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ)
(see Guidance notes) / H
Relevant subject benchmark statement (SBS)
(see Guidance notes) / http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Pages/Subject-benchmark-statement-Physics-astronomy-and-astrophysics.aspx
Brief outline of the structure of the programme and its assessment methods:
(see guidance notes) / 8 1/2 units per year, made up of core courses, practicals and, in
years 2&3, a choice of optional courses.
Assessment by unseen examinations, coursework problems, Lab. reports, essays, reports and oral presentations.
Board of Examiners:
/ i) Name of Board of Examiners:
Boards of Examiners in Physics and Astronomy
Professional body accreditation
(if applicable):
/ Institute of Physics / Date of next scheduled accreditation visit: Nov. 2016
EDUCATIONAL AIMS OF THE PROGRAMME:
To encourage students to develop critical modes of thought and study, to acquire an in-depth knowledge of the
subject and to develop a range of technical and inter-personal skills. They should be prepared for a wide variety of
careers, both within professions connected directly with astrophysics or in a wide range of other activities.
PROGRAMME OUTCOMES:
The programme provides opportunities for students to develop and demonstrate knowledge and understanding, qualities, skills and other attributes in the following areas:
A: Knowledge and understanding
Knowledge and understanding of:
1. Theoretical structure of the core
topics in Physics, with a selection of
advanced research topics, sufficient
to allow informed choice of a field of
postgraduate study.
2. The mathematical basis of Physics.
3. The structure of compiled computer
programmes. / Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1 and 2. Lectures with associated problem sheets and
tutorials. Access to recommended textbooks and webmaterial.
3. Lectures and workstation-based courses in first year
and (optionally) third year.
/ Assessment:
1 and 2. Unseen examinations. Continuous
assessment marks from problem sheets.
3. Online testing of computing knowledge.

B: Skills and other attributes

Intellectual (thinking) skills:
1. Application of their knowledge to
unseen problems.
2. Ability to combine mathematics and
verbal explanation in a coherent
rigorous argument. / Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1 and 2. Fortnightly problem-sheets on all courses,
supported by tutorial discussion. Special problemsolving
classes with staff+postgraduate supervision in
First year.
/ Assessment:
1 and 2. Unseen written examination. Problem sheets
used in coursework mark..

C: Skills and other attributes

Practical skills (able to):
1. Carry out laboratory experiments to
demonstrate physical principles and
measure constants of Nature.
2. Use spreadsheet package to present
and calculate physics results.
3. Present results with appropriately
calculated errors.
4. Report experimental results clearly
and methodically.
5. Use computer packages for wordprocessing,
webpage management
and manipulation of mathematical
functions.
6. Use compiled or interpreted computer
languages to write original programs.
7. Design an experiment and/or
computer-based investigation to
study and solve an open-ended
research problem. / Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
1. Set experiments, starting simply in first year; more
open ended in later years. Close advice and
supervision.
2, 5 and 6. Workstation-based hands-on courses;
first year, Excel, Visual Basic, Word etc;
second year Mathematica,
third year object oriented programming option
(Java).
3. Supplementary lectures linked to set experiments.
4. Preparation of workbooks and detailed reports.
7. Second year mini-projects. Whole-unit or 1/2 unit
final year project.
/ Assessment:
1, 3 and 4. Grading of Lab. reports.
2, 5 and 6. Online testing and written exercises.
7. Observation of progress. Written and oral reports.

D: Skills and other attributes

Transferable skills (able to):
Write clear accounts of scientific subjects
at a level appropriate to audiences
ranging from complete lay-people to fully
qualified colleagues. / Teaching/learning methods and strategies:
Communications Skills course, involving essays, reports
and oral presentations running over the first three years.
/ Assessment:
Essays, reports and presentations marked and included
separately in the scheme for award of honours
The following reference points were used in designing the programme:
·  the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Pages/quality-code-A1.aspx);
·  the relevant Subject Benchmark Statements (http://www.qaa.ac.uk/Publications/InformationAndGuidance/Pages/quality-code-A2.aspx);
·  the programme specifications for UCL degree programmes in relevant subjects (where applicable);
·  UCL teaching and learning policies;
·  staff research.
Please note: This specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided. More detailed information on the learning outcomes, content and teaching, learning and assessment methods of each course unit/module can be found in the departmental course handbook. The accuracy of the information contained in this document is reviewed annually by UCL and may be checked by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Programme Organiser(s) Name(s):
/ PROGRAMME TUTOR, PHYSICS
DR S. ZOCHOWSKI
Date of Production: / JANUARY 2011
Date of Review: / JANUARY 2013
Date approved by Head of Department: / August 2003
Date approved by Chair of Departmental Teaching Committee: / August 2003
Date approved by Faculty Teaching Committee / August 2003