University home > Unit and programme catalogues in 2021/22 > Programme catalogue > Faculty of Science > School of Mathematics > Mathematics and Physics (BSc) > Specification
Please note: you are viewing unit and programme information for a past academic year. Please see the current academic year for up to date information.
Programme code | 2MATH008U |
---|---|
Programme type | Joint Honours (UG) |
Programme director(s) |
Sebastian Muller (Mathematics)
Tony Short (Physics) |
Faculty | Faculty of Science |
School/department | School of Mathematics |
Second School/department | School of Physics |
Teaching institution | University of Bristol |
Awarding institution | University of Bristol |
Accrediting types: |
Accredited by the Institute of Physics (IOP) for the purpose of partially meeting the educational requirement for Chartered Physicist. (https://www.iop.org/education/support-work-higher-education/degree-accreditation-recognition) |
Relevant QAA subject benchmark groups |
Physics, astronomy and astrophysics (2019) (benchmark statement)
Mathematics, statistics and operational research (2023) (benchmark statement) |
Mode of study | Full Time |
Programme length | 3 years (full time) |
All degree programmes share the University's aim of "offering students the best possible learning experience in a research environment" - enabling them to realise their full potential in their chosen careers. An important goal is to maximise student choice while maintaining academic consistency. Mathematics and Physics are closely-linked disciplines which, though each has its own ethos which is expressed in the curricula, permits of a large component that is mutually-supporting and complementary. The programmes provide academic and practical training in Mathematics and Physics to:
· provide a suitable foundation for graduate studies or a professional career in mathematics or physics
· provide a first degree whose standards are comparable to those in other European countries
· provide programmes of study which respond to the national need for high quality physics and mathematics graduates
· produce graduates with a thorough knowledge of mathematics and physics and the confidence to apply it to new situations, as a basis for problem-solving and continuing self-learning throughout their careers
· develop a more advanced knowledge of some topics particularly but not exclusively those relevant to other subjects in the programme
· develop skills in mathematical reasoning, problem-solving and mathematical manipulation
· develop the ability to think logically and critically and express ideas clearly
· provide a flexible, responsive and friendly learning environment
· deliver high quality teaching.
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
---|---|
|
Lectures are the principal form of teaching |
Methods of Assessment | |
Assessment is through a combination of unseen written examinations, moderated course work, seminars, laboratory reports and project reports or dissertations, IT work, oral presentations and interviews. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
---|---|
|
Intellectual skills are developed through the learning and teaching methods outlined in the section above. Tutorials, assessment of laboratory and IT work and the write up of projects or dissertations, vivas and poster session and seminars are all key to developing intellectual and presentational skills. |
Methods of Assessment | |
The methods of assessment outlined above all contain components which assess these skills. Those associated at all levels with laboratory and project work and seminars have a component reflecting presentation and performance of the skills detailed here. |
Programme Intended Learning Outcomes | Learning and Teaching Methods |
---|---|
|
Transferable skills are developed through the learning and teaching methods outlined above. The project or dissertation is key to developing decision making, time-management and efficient use of resources. Group working is developed as part of the laboratory and project work, and general communication skills are used as part of project/dissertation assessment, involving as it does a written report and a viva. ICT skills are acquired throughout the programmes either in specific courses or as part of laboratory and project work, which includes literature surveys and distillation of information from diverse sources. |
Methods of Assessment | |
The methods of assessment outlined above all contain components which assess these skills. In particular, those associated at all levels with computation, laboratory and project work have a component reflecting presentation and performance of the skills detailed here. |
Statement of expectations from the students at each level of the programme as it/they develop year on year.
Level C/4 - Certificate |
They will have a sound knowledge of the basic concepts of a subject, and will have learned how to take different approaches to solving problems. They will be able to communicate accurately, and will have the qualities needed for employment requiring the exercise of some personal responsibility. |
---|---|
Level I/5 - Intermediate |
They will have developed a sound understanding of the principles in their field of study, and will have learned to apply those principles more widely. Through this, they will have learned to evaluate the appropriateness of different approaches to solving problems. Their studies may well have had a vocational orientation, enabling them to perform effectively in their chosen field. |
Level H/6 - Honours |
They will have the qualities necessary for employment in situations requiring the exercise of personal responsibility and decision-making. They will have developed an understanding of a complex body of knowledge, some of it at the current boundaries of an academic discipline. Through this, the graduate will have developed analytical techniques and problem-solving skills that can be applied in many types of employment. The graduate will be able to evaluate evidence, arguments and assumptions, to reach sound judgements, and to communicate effectively. They should have the qualities needed for employment in situations requiring the exercise of personal responsibility, and decision-making in complex and unpredictable circumstances. |
Level M/7 - Masters |
Much of the study undertaken at Masters level will have been at, or informed by, the forefront of an academic or professional discipline. Students will have shown originality in the application of knowledge, and they will understand how the boundaries of knowledge are advanced through research. They will be able to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, and they will show originality in tackling and solving problems. They will have the qualities needed for employment in circumstances requiring sound judgement, personal responsibility and initiative, in complex and unpredictable professional environments. |
The intended learning outcome mapping document shows which mandatory units contribute towards each programme intended learning outcome.
For information on the admissions requirements for this programme please see details in the undergraduate prospectus at http://www.bristol.ac.uk/prospectus/undergraduate/ or contact the relevant academic department.
UG Workload Statement
Success as an undergraduate student depends on you being able to make the transition to self-motivated, independent learning. Programmes are designed to assist you in this development, in many cases by starting with units in which timetabled teaching, such as lectures and practical classes, provides the foundations of knowledge and skills in a subject, moving on to individual research-based work. Over time you will be expected to take increasing responsibility for your own learning, guided by the feedback on your work that you will receive. At the heart of your studies at every level there must be regular and disciplined individual reading, reflection and writing and it is this skill of independent studies, above all others, that will serve you best when you leave the University.
Most programmes use credits and a 20 credit unit broadly equates to about 200 hours of student input. This includes all activities related to the teaching, learning and assessment of taught units.
A component of this is the time that you spend in class, in contact with the teaching staff, which includes activities such as lectures, laboratories, tutorials and fieldwork. Some of this activity may be online and could consist of activity that is synchronous (using real-time environments such as Blackboard Collaborate) or asynchronous (using tools such as tutor moderated discussion forums, blogs or wikis).
In some programmes there are field courses and/or placements that will take place in concentrated periods of time.
Outside scheduled activities you are expected to pursue your own independent learning to build your knowledge and understanding of the subjects you are studying. Such independent activities include, reviewing lecture material, reading textbooks, working on examples sheets, completing coursework, writing up laboratory notes, preparing for in-class progress tests and revising for examinations.
We recognise that many students undertake paid employment. To achieve a sensible balance between work and study, you are advised to undertake paid work for no more than 15 hours per week in term-time.
Professional Programmes
Many undergraduates in the Faculty of Health Sciences will be following the professional programmes of:
For these professional programmes, full time attendance is compulsory unless absence is formally approved. Academic activities are timetabled throughout the 5-day week and student workload is around 40 hours per week on average. Where possible, students in the early years are permitted Wednesday afternoons for sport and extra-curriculum activities. This may not be available in later years of professional programmes as when a student progresses through the curricula there is an increasing exposure to clinical and professional activities. Students in clinic or on placements may need to stay later than core times of 08.00 – 18.00 or even overnight to observe out-of-hours activities. This increasing exposure to clinical activities means that students on these professional programmes often have longer term dates than the University standard. Individual years within programmes are likely to vary in length (for example because of the timings of placements) and further information on this will be found in individual programme regulations. Another important point to note is that many of the assessments sit outside of the standard University examination timetable and are likely to be more frequent meaning that students will more oftentimes be engaged in revision activities and self-directed learning.
Faculty of Health Sciences
Faculty Assessment and Feedback Statement for Undergraduate Students. University of Bristol access only.
School of Mathematics Administration Team – math-info@bristol.ac.uk
MATH10015, MATH10011 and MATH10012 are must pass units. For the definition of must pass units please see the Glossary of Terms from Annex 1 to the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Linear Algebra | MATH10015 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Analysis | MATH10011 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
ODEs, Curves and Dynamics | MATH10012 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Probability 1 | MATH11300 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Core Physics I:Mechanics and Matter | PHYS10006 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Core Physics II: Oscillations, Waves and Fields | PHYS10005 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Physics Laboratory | PHYS10004 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Certificate of Higher Education | 120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Applied Partial Differential Equations 2 | MATH20402 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Multivariable Calculus and Complex Functions | MATH20015 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Ordinary Differential Equations 2 | MATH20101 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Mechanics, Oscillations and Quantum Mechanics I | PHYS20028 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Electromagnetism, Waves and Quantum Mechanics II | PHYS20029 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-2 |
Practical Physics 201 | PHYS29010 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-4 |
Thermal Physics | PHYS20027 | 10 | Mandatory | TB-2C |
Diploma of Higher Education | 120 |
Unit Name | Unit Code | Credit Points | Status | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Solid State Physics 3021 | PHYS30021 | 20 | Mandatory | TB-1 |
Select one of the following: | ||||
Industrial Group Project | PHYS30007 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Physics Project 333 | PHYS39330 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Physics Education 333 | PHYS39332 | 30 | Optional | TB-4 |
Select 10cp Physics units from the following list: | ||||
Condensed Matter Physics 311 | PHYS31111 | 10 | Optional | TB-2C |
Cosmology 201 | PHYS24010 | 10 | Optional | TB-2D |
Environmental Physics | PHYS30027 | 10 | Optional | TB-2D |
Introduction to Computational Physics | PHYS30009 | 10 | Optional | TB-4 |
Nanophysics | PHYS32600 | 10 | Optional | TB-2D |
Nuclear and Particle Physics | PHYS22040 | 10 | Optional | TB-1A |
Particle Physics | PHYS32012 | 10 | Optional | TB-1B |
Quantum Physics 301 | PHYS32011 | 10 | Optional | TB-1 |
Select 60cp Mathematics units from the following list: | ||||
Students are not able to take MATH30033 Random Matrix Theory and MATH30017 Optimisation at the same time | ||||
Dynamical Systems and Ergodic Theory 3 | MATH36206 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Fields, Forms and Flows | MATH30018 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Fluid Dynamics 3 | MATH33200 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Mathematical Methods | MATH30800 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Mechanics 23 | MATH31910 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Optimisation | MATH30017 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Numerical Analysis | MATH30029 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Statistical Mechanics | MATH34300 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Random Matrix Theory | MATH30033 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Information Theory | MATH30032 | 20 | Optional | TB-1 |
Quantum Information Theory | MATH30031 | 20 | Optional | TB-2 |
Mathematics and Physics (BSc) | 120 |
Unit Pass Mark for Undergraduate Programmes:
For details on the weightings for classifying undergraduate degrees, please see the Agreed Weightings, by Faculty, to be applied for the Purposes of Calculating the Final Programme Mark and Degree Classification in Undergraduate Programmes.
For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.
Please refer to the specific progression/award requirements for programmes with a preliminary year of study, the Gateway programmes and International Foundation programmes.
All undergraduate degree programmes allow the opportunity for a student to exit from a programme with a Diploma or Certificate of Higher Education.
Integrated Master's degrees may also allow the opportunity for a student to exit from the programme with an equivalent Bachelor's degree where a student has achieved 360 credit points, of which 90 must be at level 6, and has successfully met any additional criteria as described in the programme specification.
The opportunities for a student to exit from one of the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry with an Award is outlined in the relevant Programme Regulations (which are available as an annex in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes).
An Ordinary degree can be awarded if a student has successfully completed at least 300 credits with a minimum of 60 credits at Level 6.
The pass mark for the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine and Dentistry is 50 out of 100. The classification of a degree in the professional programmes in Veterinary Science, Medicine, and Dentistry is provided in the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes.
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.
University of Bristol,
Senate House,
Tyndall Avenue,
Bristol, BS8 1TH, UK
Tel: +44 (0)117 928 9000