Physics (BSc)

Teaching is carried out using a range of techniques, such as traditional lectures, tutorials and laboratory work and computer-based, project-based and skills-based exercises. Physics is a hierarchical discipline so the structure of the course is systematic, building on fundamental understanding.

Exercises are an integral part of all lecture-based modules, and these give you the opportunity to apply your knowledge, increase your critical awareness and enhance your problem-solving skills.

You will undertake weekly laboratory classes in the first two years, to prepare you for a major experimental study as part of your final-year project.

Mathematics is taught alongside the major Physics and Astrophysics concepts in all years, with specific modules in the first year. It is fundamental to understanding the subject and is incorporated into many modules.

Key IT skills are taught throughout the course as well as elementary programming using Python. You may also have the opportunity to take further computing and numerical-methods modules as the course develops.

Regular small-group tutorials are held in years one and two. These meetings will allow you to meet with other students in small groups (typically four or five students to one tutor) and receive feedback on your continuous assessment. In the first year these sessions take place on a weekly basis, in year two they take place fortnightly.

Throughout the delivery of the programme, wherever possible, recent research results are used to illustrate and illuminate the subject.

What is expected of me?

You should attend lectures and all timetabled laboratory sessions. You should attempt all exercises and problems provided, handing in work by the specified deadline. In some cases exercise marks are part of your continuous assessment. If you cannot complete an exercise, hand in your efforts anyway, as you will then get helpful feedback on where you have gone wrong.

While a 10-credit module represents 100 hours of study in total, typically this will involve two or three hours of contact time with teaching staff each week. The remaining hours are for private study, coursework, example sheets, revision and assessment. You are expected to spend around 20 hours a week studying independently.

You must keep your personal tutor and the Teaching Office informed of any circumstances or illnesses that might affect your capacity to attend teaching or undertake assessment.

You must follow a code of behaviour in laboratory practical classes. This is based on essential health and safety considerations for these environments, and you must follow the instructions of the supervising member of staff at all times.  

You should check your emails regularly and answer them.

When you meet concepts or problems you do not understand, you should ask staff for help. If you have comments on the modules, tell us. Tell the lecturer, tell your representative on the staff-student panel and/or put it on the questionnaire you are asked to complete at the end of each semester.

You should familiarise yourself with School and University policies and regulations and must respect the Student Charter and Cardiff University’s Policy on Dignity while Working and Studying.

How will I be supported?

Your main interaction with academic staff will be through lectures, laboratory practical sessions, workshops or small-group teaching sessions (tutorials).

You will also be allocated a personal tutor, a member of academic staff who can provide pastoral support and academic advice during your course.

All lecturing staff can be contacted by email and have either an ‘open door’ policy for students with specific queries about course material, or a system to book meeting times. The School Office can answer most administrative queries immediately.

You will be given access to relevant multimedia material, presentations, lecture handouts, bibliographies, further links, electronic exercises and discussion circles through the University’s virtual learning environment, Learning Central. Opportunities for you to reflect on your abilities and performance are available through the Learning Central ‘Personal Development Planning’ module.

The University offers a range of services including the Careers Service, the Counselling Service, the Disability and Dyslexia Service, the Student Support Service, and excellent libraries and resource centres.

Feedback

Feedback on progress is typically provided through a combination of discussion in class, written comments on submitted work and review of outline solutions to problems. You are encouraged to discuss any queries related to specific modules with individual lecturers.

How will I be assessed?

There are a wide variety of assessment methods. Some modules are assessed purely by an end of semester exam , some combine continuous assessment with an exam and others are all continuous assessment.

Continuous assessment (exercises and laboratory work) typically makes up 40% of your marks in year one.

At first the nature and methods of experiments are clearly defined for you, but by your final year you are expected to tackle more open-ended investigations.

What skills will I practise and develop?

Studying this course will enable you to acquire and develop a range of valuable skills, both discipline specific and more generic ‘employability skills’. You will:

• Use laboratory classes to develop your experimental, analytical and investigative skills
• Learn how to design experimental equipment, electronic circuitry or computer data acquisition or data reduction algorithms
• Use precise calculations or order-of-magnitude calculations in appropriate situations
• Use computer packages and/or write software
• Conduct independent research using source materials such as textbooks, scientific journals and electronic databases
• Develop your communication skills, both orally and in writing
• Enhance your team-working skills and ability to critically appraise your own work and the work of others
• Develop your ability to undertake independent learning and effectively manage your time