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Programme structure: Philosophy of Physics (MA) - what's running in 2023/24

    This section describes which Units you will take in which year of study. It indicates which units are mandatory and where you will be able to choose. The overall pass marks you will need to achieve in order to progress or achieve an award are shown. The full regulations concerning progression and completion are held in the University's Regulations and Code of Practice. Any particular aspects of your programme that are unusual will be highlighted. If any Units are must pass this will be shown below. The linked unit specifications detail any additional requirements.

    What do the Levels represent?

    What do the teaching blocks (TB) mean?

  • Year 1 (2023/24)
Unit name Unit code Credit points Status Teaching Block
Philosophical Writing and Research Seminar PHILM0025 20 Mandatory TB-1
Philosophy of Physics PHILM0005 20 Mandatory TB-1
Philosophy of Science PHILM0033 20 Mandatory TB-2
Advanced Philosophy of Physics PHILM0029 20 Mandatory TB-2
Relativistic Field Theory PHYSM3417 10 Mandatory TB-2C
Foundations of Modern Physics PHYSM0023 10 Mandatory TB-4
Dissertation PHILM0001 60 Mandatory AYEAR
Select 20 credit points from:
History of Science PHILM0007 20 Optional TB-1
Philosophy and History of Mathematics PHILM0016 20 Optional TB-2
Philosophy of Biology PHILM0006 20 Optional TB-1
Philosophy of Probability PHILM0028 20 Optional TB-1
Philosophy of Psychology PHILM0020 20 Optional TB-2
Epistemology and Metaphysics PHILM0021 20 Optional TB-2
The Philosophy and History of Medicine PHILM0022 20 Optional TB-1
Personal Option Unit PHILM0038 20 Optional TB-1,TB-2
Supervised Independent Study PHILM0041 20 Optional TB-1,TB-2
Logic MATH30100 20 Optional TB-2
  180    

Progression/award requirements

The pass mark set by the University for any level 7 unit is 50 out of 100.

For detailed rules on progression please see the Regulations and Code of Practice for Taught Programmes and the relevant faculty handbook.

Degree classifications:

An award with Merit or Distinction is permitted for postgraduate taught masters, diplomas and certificates, where these are specifically named entry-level qualifications. An award with Merit or Distinction is not permitted for exit awards where students are required to exit the programme on academic grounds. An exit award with Merit or Distinction may be permitted where students are prevented by exceptional circumstances from completing the intended award.

The classification of the award in relation to the final programme mark is as follows:

Award with Distinction*: at least 65 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation. **Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.

Award with Merit*: at least 60 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 60 out of 100 for the dissertation. Faculties retain discretion to increase these thresholds.

* The MA in Law has separate regulations for awarding distinction and merit.

** For the award of Distinction, the Faculty of Engineering requires at least 70 out of 100 for the taught component overall and, for masters awards, at least 70 out of 100 for the dissertation.

Diploma/certificate stages:

All taught masters programmes, unless exempted by Senate, must allow the opportunity for students to choose, or be required, to leave at the postgraduate diploma or certificate stage.

To be awarded a postgraduate diploma, students must have successfully completed 120 credit points, of which 90 must be at level 7.

To be awarded a postgraduate certificate, students must have successfully completed 60 credit points, of which 40 must be at level 7.

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