PH1503 Physics Skills 1B

2024 to 2025 Semester 2

Curricular information may be subject to change

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 7

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Available only to those on the Physics and Astronomy (Gateway) Programme and the Physics and Astronomy International Gateway Programme

Planned timetable

10:00 - 12:00, other activities to be arranged

This information is given as indicative. Timetable may change at short notice depending on room availability.

Module Staff

TBC

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

This module develops academic and transferable skills in problem solving in physics, in mathematical modelling of physical systems, in numerical/computational work applied to physics, and in study skills. It is a core module for the level one programme Physics and Astronomy (Gateway).

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

STUDENTS MUST HAVE GAINED ENTRY TO PHYSICS AND ASTRONOMY (GATEWAY) OR INTERNATIONAL GATEWAY PROGRAMMES.

Co-requisites

YOU MUST ALSO TAKE PH1012

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Re-assessment

60% new assignments, 40% marks for the assignments that make up the first assessment specification of the module.

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

2 lectures, 3 x 1.25-hour workshops, 1 x 3-hour lab, 1 x 2-hour supported study session

Scheduled learning hours

132

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Additional information from school

PH1503 - Physics Skills 1B

Aims & Objectives

In this module students will develop their understanding of the core material covered in PH1012 as well as continuing to practise and enhance their basic mathematical skills and lab skills developed in semester 1. This is brought about by a series of workshops, supported self-study sessions as well as group exercises covering topics designed to run alongside material developed in PH1012 and MT1002.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module, students should

have developed their fundamental subject knowledge and be able to express scientific ideas to their peers;
be able to work independently and as part of a group;
have experienced and demonstrated different methods of studying;
have enhanced their communication skills by applying their subject knowledge to a particular topic and presenting their finding to their peers at an appropriate level.
have gained an understanding of the structure and evolution of stars and galaxies as well as the origin and fate of the universe. In addition, students should be able to calculate astrophysical properties of stars using basic physical models and simplified data.

Synopsis

Problem solving: problem solving strategies, peer instruction tutorials and regular problem solving workshops relevant for the material covered in PH1012. Practical laboratory work to develop basic lab skills. Independent research into a chosen area of physics.

Study skills and Communication: The production of revision summaries, regular reflection on own learning and supported study sessions. The creation and presentation of a poster on a chosen area of physics.

Astronomy short course: stars and elementary astrophysics - including stellar brightness, magnitudes, distance, colours, Hertzsprung-Russell diagram, stellar spectra and classification, stellar evolution; structure of the Milky Way - structure of the Milky Way, populations, rotation curve; the universe - types of galaxies, expansion of the universe, birth, evolution and fate of the universe.

Recommended Books

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