BSc Physics With Theoretical Physics - Imperial College

Programme Specification (Undergraduate)BSc Physics with Theoretical PhysicsThis document provides a definitive record of the main features of the programme and the learningoutcomes that a typical student may reasonably be expected to achieve and demonstrate if s/hetakes full advantage of the learning opportunities provided. This programme specification isintended as a reference point for prospective students, current students, external examiners andacademic and support staff involved in delivering the programme and enabling studentdevelopment and achievement.Programme InformationAward(s)BScAssociateshipRoyal College of ScienceProgramme TitlePhysics with Theoretical PhysicsProgramme codeF325Awarding InstitutionImperial College LondonTeaching InstitutionImperial College LondonFacultyFaculty of Natural SciencesDepartmentDepartment of PhysicsMode and Period of Study3 academic years full-timeCohort Entry PointsAnnually in OctoberRelevant QAA Benchmark Statement(s) and/orother external reference pointsPhysics, Astronomy and AstrophysicsThe Physics Degree (Institute of Physics)Total CreditsECTS:180FHEQ LevelLevel 6EHEA Level1st cycleExternal Accreditor(s)Institute of Physics (IOP)CATS:360Specification DetailsStudent cohorts covered by specification2016/17 entryPerson responsible for the specificationDr Robert Forsyth (DUGS)Date of introduction of programme2012-13 (date of last review)Date of programme specification/revisionAugust 2016Page 1 of 10

Description of Programme ContentsThe Physics degree programmes cover a common core over the first two years, includingMathematics, Mechanics, Vibrations & Waves, Electricity & Magnetism, Optics, Thermodynamics &Statistical Physics, Relativity, Quantum Physics, Atomic, Nuclear & Particle Physics, Solid StatePhysics, and laboratory work. A wide range of elective modules are available in Year 3 of the BScprogramme allowing students to specialise in a few areas of advanced mathematics and theoreticalphysics. A one-term final year project is carried out. The programme aims to prepare students for awide variety of careers or further Masters level study, both in Physics and in other areas which valuethe analytical, mathematical and computational skills of a well-trained physics graduate.Learning OutcomesThe Imperial Graduate Attributes are a set of core competencies which we expect students toachieve through completion of any Imperial College degree programme. The Graduate Attributes areavailable at: ate-attributesKnowledge and Understanding of: The fundamentals, which all students need to cover, including electromagnetism, optics,quantum and classical mechanics, relativity, statistical physics and thermodynamics, wavephenomena and the properties of matter. The application of the fundamental principles to particular areas. These include nuclear andparticle physics, condensed matter physics and atomic structure. A few subjects which students study in greater depth and appreciate current developments atthe frontiers of the subject.Intellectual SkillsStudents will learn how to: Formulate and tackle problems in physics, including the identification of appropriate physicalprinciples and the use of special and limiting cases and order-of-magnitude estimates, toarrive at a solution which is presented with an explicit statement of assumptions andapproximations. Use mathematics to describe the physical world, selecting appropriate equations, constructingmodels, interpreting mathematical results and critically comparing them with experiment andobservation. Participate, under supervision, in an extended physics investigation.Practical SkillsStudents will learn how to: Plan, execute and report the results of a complex extended experiment or investigation, usingappropriate methods to analyse data and to evaluate the level of its uncertainty. Use appropriate software such as programming languages and packages in a physicsinvestigation.Transferable SkillsStudents will learn how to: Solve open-ended problems and problems with well-defined solutions by formulatingproblems in precise terms, identifying key issues and trying different approaches in order tomake progress. Carry out an independent investigation using textbooks and other available literature,searching databases and interacting with colleagues and staff to extract importantPage 2 of 10

information.Communicate effectively by listening carefully and presenting complex information in a clearand concise manner orally, on paper and using ICT.Use analytical skills, paying attention to detail and using technical language correctly, tomanipulate precise and intricate ideas, and to construct logical arguments.Use ICT skills for communication and analysis.Work independently, use their initiative, meet deadlines, plan and execute a project.Work in groups, interacting constructively with others.Entry RequirementsAcademic RequirementA*A*A or equivalent overall to include A* inMathematics and A in PhysicsNon-academic RequirementsNoneHome and EU students will be invited to attend an interview; international students are dealt withon an individual basisEnglish RequirementGrade B at GCSE or IELTS 6.5 with a minimum of6.0 in each element or equivalentThe programme’s competency standards documents can be found welfare/Learning & Teaching StrategyScheduled Learning & Teaching MethodsE-learning & Blended Learning MethodsProject and Placement Learning Methods LecturesTutorialsLaboratory ClassesComputing LabsOffice hours Support of lecture courses through onlinecourse materials and lecture recordings Group and individual project work Written ExaminationAssessed problem sheetsLaboratory notebookLaboratory and project reportsEssayInterviewGroup and individual presentationsAssessment StrategyAssessment MethodsPage 3 of 10

Academic Feedback Policy All students receive feedback on their progress from their academic tutor in weekly tutorials.Assessed coursework in Years 1 and 2 is returned to students with comments withinapproximately one week of submission. Students may discuss their marks with theiracademic tutor if they wish.Laboratory and computing reports are returned to students normally within 2 weeks ofsubmission and students have the opportunity of discussing their report with the marker ifthey wish. Heads of Laboratories are responsible for ensuring that feedback is prompt andeffectiveStudents are encouraged to discuss their examination performance with their PersonalTutor.The College’s Policy on Re-sits is available at: www.imperial.ac.uk/registry/exams/resitThe College’s Policy on Mitigating Circumstances is available at: www.imperial.ac.uk/registry/examsAssessment StructureMarking SchemeYear OneA student must: Achieve an aggregate mark of at least 40% in each element Achieve a mark of 65% in the Year 1 Mathematics module, otherwise a transfer into Year 2of BSc (F300) programme is requiredYear TwoA student must: Achieve an aggregate mark of at least 40% in each elementYear ThreeA student must: Achieve an aggregate mark of at least 40% in each elementFinal Degree ClassificationsThird – a student must achieve an aggregate mark of 40%Lower Second – a student must achieve an aggregate mark of 50%Upper Second – a student must achieve an aggregate mark of 60%First - a student must achieve an aggregate mark of 70%Candidates who fall no more than 2.5% below the minimum mark for a higher honours classificationshall be eligible for review of their final classification. This review will be at the discretion of theBoard of Examiners and is usually available to students who have achieved the higher class in 50% ormore of the total credits awarded for the programme weighted by year.Page 4 of 10

YearYear One% YearWeighting11.11%ModuleMathematics25%Measurement and Uncertainty0%Mechanics, Vibrations & Waves13.33%Electricity & Magnetism, Relativity12.5%Quantum Physics & Structure of Matter12.5%Mathematical Analysis I6.67%Laboratory and Computing IYear Two33.33%% ModuleWeighting15%Professional Skills and Basic Electronics I8.33%Project6.67%Atomic, Nuclear and Particle Physics10%Electromagnetism and Optics15%Professional Skills II3.33%Quantum Mechanics10%Solid State PhysicsMathematics and Statistics of Measurement8.33%15%Thermodynamics and Statistical Physics11.67%Laboratory and Computing II16.67%Mathematical Methods10%Page 5 of 10

Year% YearWeightingModuleElement I: Core Physics, including Advanced ClassicalPhysics, Fluid Dynamics, Light & Matter and Physics ofthe Universe% ModuleWeighting30%Element II: BSc Options between 24-27 ECTS fromelective groups A-GYear Three55.56% one must be from group Fmaximum of 6 ECTS each from groups A & Dmaximum of one in total from groups B & Emust have at least 12 ECTS with course codesbeginning PTElement III: Comprehensive Physics and ProfessionalSkills III40%30%Page 6 of 10

Module ListCodePH1-MUTitleL&TCore/Elective YearHoursInd. Place%%Total%FHEQStudy mentWritten CourseHoursPractical LevelHours HoursExamworkECTSMeasurement and 42233037585%15%0%415P1.1.1Mechanics, Vibrations & WavesCORE172128020085%15%0%48P1.2.1Electricity & Magnetism, tum Physics & Structure of al Analysis ICORE15050010085%15%0%44PL1.1Laboratory and Computing ICORE17515002250%50%50%49P1.7Professional Skills and Basic Electronics %50%50%44P2.8Atomic , Nuclear and Particle PhysicsCORE25496015085%15%0%56P2.4Electromagnetism & OpticsCORE280145022585%15%0%59P2.7Professional Skills IICORE24460500%100%0%52P2.1Quantum MechanicsCORE25892015085%15%0%56P2.9Solid State PhysicsCORE24481012585%15%0%55P2.5Mathematics & Statistics amics & Statistical PhysicsCORE271104017585%15%0%57PL2.1Laboratory and Computing IICORE212112902500%50%50%510MPh2Mathematical MethodsCORE257930150100%0%0%56PO2.3Environmental PhysicsELECTIVE (A)3471030150100%0%0%56PO2.1Sun, Stars & PlanetsELECTIVE (A)3491010150100%0%0%56Page 7 of 10

Module ListCodeN/ATitleImperial HorizonsL&TCore/Elective YearHoursInd. Place%%Total%FHEQStudy mentWritten CourseHoursPractical LevelHours HoursExamworkELECTIVE (B)3CORE3203800400100%0%0%616Professional Skills IIICORE34460500%0%100%62P3.12bFluid DynamicsCORE31621.5037.5100%0%0%61.5P3.11Light & MatterCORE353970150100%0%0%66P3.12aPhysics of the UniverseCORE34171.50112.5100%0%0%64.5PP3.3Physics ProjectELECTIVE (F)39013502250%100%0%69PEP3.1Physics Essay IIIELECTIVE (F)39013502250%100%0%69PO3.4Advanced Classical CTIVE (C)3471030150100%0%0%66PO3.9Communicating PhysicsELECTIVE (G)34510501500%100%0%66PT3.6Complexity & NetworksELECTIVE (C)35793015020%80%0%66PT3.5Computational PhysicsELECTIVE (C)35892015040%60%0%66PT3.1Foundations of Quantum MechanicsELECTIVE (C)357930150100%0%0%66PT3.2Group TheoryELECTIVE (C)357930150100%0%0%66PO3.3aLasersELECTIVE (C)328.546.5075100%0%0%63PO3.3bImaging & BiophotonicsELECTIVE (C)328.546.5075100%0%0%63PO3.7aMedical Imaging: X-Rays & UltrasoundELECTIVE (C)323.551.5075100%0%0%63PO3.7bMedical Imaging: Nuclear Diagnostics &MRIELECTIVE (C)323.551.5075100%0%0%63PO3.2Plasma PhysicsELECTIVE (C)3471030150100%0%0%66P.COMP12 Comprehensive PhysicsP3.4Various150VariousECTS6Page 8 of 10