Loughborough University
Leicestershire, UK
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Loughborough University

Programme Specifications

Programme Specification

MSc Advanced Physics/ MSc Engineering Physics/ MSc Quantum and Mathematical Physics/ MSc Physics of Materials

Academic Year: 2014/15

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 full advantage is taken of the learning opportunities that are provided.

This specification applies to delivery of the programme in the Academic Year indicated above. Prospective students reviewing this information for a later year of study should be aware that these details are subject to change as outlined in our Terms and Conditions of Study.

This specification should be read in conjunction with:

  • Summary
  • Aims
  • Learning outcomes
  • Structure
  • Progression & weighting

Programme summary

Awarding body/institution Loughborough University
Teaching institution (if different)
Owning school/department Department of Physics
Details of accreditation by a professional/statutory body
Final award MSc/PGDip/PGCert
Programme title Advanced Physics/Engineering Physics/Quantum and Mathematical Physics/Physics of Materials
Programme code PHPT16:MSc Advanced Physics; PHPT17:MSc Quantum and Mathematical Physics; PHPT18:MSc Physics of Materials; PHPT19:MSc Engineering Physics
Length of programme
UCAS code
Admissions criteria

http://www.lboro.ac.uk/departments/physics/postgraduate/programmes/

Date at which the programme specification was published Sun, 28 Sep 2014 09:13:25 BST

1. Programme Aims

 

Adv Ph

Eng Ph

Qua Ph

Ph Matl

To equip students with key skills needed for employment in industry, public service or academic research by enhancing their appropriate knowledge, competence and skills.

x

x

x

x

To provide students with an opportunity to apply their broad understanding of basic principles to the solution of a specific and detailed problem pertinent to an area of current research activity.

x

x

x

x

To demonstrate advanced skills in the following: problem solving; experimental, mathematical or computational techniques; scientific report writing and presentation skills; obtaining and understanding information from the scientific literature; the collection and analysis of data or the development of theoretical models.

x

x

x

x

To provide the student with an opportunity to demonstrate advanced skills in the use of information technology for calculation, data analysis, control and the production of professional quality reports and presentations.

x

x

x

x

To provide an environment that gives students opportunities to develop their own interests, self-reliance and career aspirations.

x

x

x

x

To give students the opportunity to acquire knowledge to masters level in their choice of a range of Physics topics.

x

 

 

 

To give students a broad and deep knowledge of aspects of engineering to masters level and to enable them to apply their physics knowledge to the solution of an engineering problem.

 

x

 

 

To equip students with an appreciation of the current state of the art in quantum technologies and to provide an opportunity to develop a critical awareness of possible future directions.

 

 

x

 

To equip students with advanced theoretical and/or experimental techniques in the applications of the physics of materials to masters level.

 

 

 

x

2. Relevant subject benchmark statements and other external reference points used to inform programme outcomes:

The national benchmark statement for Physics

University Teaching and Learning Strategy

Framework for Higher Education Qualifications

 

3. Programme Learning Outcomes

3.1 Knowledge and Understanding

On successful completion of this programme students should have demonstrated

Adv Ph

Eng Ph

Qua Ph

Ph Matl

K1

Specialised knowledge and understanding of one or more topics of their choice in current research in physics or a related field.

x

     

K2

Specialised knowledge and understanding of the application of physics in an engineering context.

 

x

   

K3

Specialised knowledge and understanding of quantum and mathematical methods and applications in physics.

   

x

 

K4

Specialised knowledge and understanding of the physics of materials.

     

x

K5

Awareness of the current state of the art in experiment and theory in a field of current research activity.

x

x

x

x

K6

Knowledge of the accepted norms and professional expectations associated with the dissemination of scientific results.

x

x

x

x

 

3.2 Skills and other attributes

a. Subject-specific cognitive skills:

On successful completion of the programme students should be able to:

Adv Ph

Eng Ph

Qua Ph

Ph Matl

C1

Competence in the application of an advanced theoretical method to a research problem in physics or related discipline.

x

x

x

x

C2

Recognise and analyse novel problems and plan strategies for their solution.

x

x

x

x

C3

Evaluate, interpret and collate information and data in order to support or critique a scientific thesis.

x

x

x

x

C4

Assess the realisability of proposed quantum technologies against current and realistic future technological capability.

 

 

x

 

C5

Solve advanced problems that span at least two distinct disciplines within the physical sciences. 

x

 

 

 

b. Subject-specific practical skills:

On successful completion of the programme students should be able to:

Adv Ph

Eng Ph

Qua Ph

Ph Matl

P1

Use advanced techniques (experimental, theoretical and/or computational) in the pursuit of the solution of problems in a selected area of physical research and, where appropriate, conform to legislation and standards.

x

x

x

x

P2

Plan and execute a research project on a topic of current scientific interest.

x

x

x

x

P3

Apply knowledge of advanced physics or mathematics to aid in the successful conclusion of an engineering physics project.

 

x

 

 

P4

Use an advanced technique in order to fabricate, characterise or model a specific material.

 

 

 

x

c. Key transferable skills:

On successful completion of the programme students should be able to:

Adv Ph

Eng Ph

Qua Ph

Ph Matl

T1

Formulate problems pertinent to a current area of active research in precise terms and identify key issues, construct logical arguments and use advanced technical language correctly.

x

x

x

x

T2

Be proficient in the use of scientific and IT solutions to support a research project

x

x

x

x

T3

Identify, retrieve, critique and compare demanding texts and use them to support a research thesis in a coherent and appropriate manner.

x

x

x

x

T5

Present complex information by means of written reports and orally to a professionally acceptable standard.

x

x

x

x

4. Programme structure

Title

Abbreviation

Advanced Physics

Adv Ph

Engineering Physics

Eng Ph

Quantum and Mathematical Physics

Qua Ph

Physics of Materials

Ph Matl

x= module is compulsory

o= module is optional

 

 

 

Weight

Sem

Adv Ph

Eng Ph

Qua Ph

Ph Matl

Physics Modules

PHC011

General Relativity and Cosmology

20

1+2

o<30

o<30

   

PHC012

Quantum Physics

20

1+2

o<30

o<30

x

 

PHD013

Statistical Physics

10

1

o

o

x

o

PHC014

Condensed Matter Physics

20

1+2

o<30

o<30

 

x

PHC108

Modern Optics

10

2

o<30

o<30

 

 

PHD120

Surfaces, Thin Films and High Vacuum

10

1

o

o

 

x

PHD130

Fundamentals of Quantum Information

10

1

o

o

x

 

PHD202

Superconductivity and Nanoscience

10

2

o

o

o

PHP100

Mathematical Methods for Interdisciplinary Sciences

15

1

x

x

x*

x

PHP180

Research Methods in Physics

15

1

x

x

x

x

PHC205

Elementary Particle Physics

10

2

o<30

o<30

 

 

PHC207

Climate Physics

10

2

o<30

o<30

 

 

PHD230

Quantum Computing

10

2

o

o

x

 

PHP280

Research Project Part 1

30

2

x

x

x

x

PHP380

Research Project Part 2

60

2

x

x

x

x

Mathematical Sciences Modules

MAD102

Regular and Chaotic Dynamics

15

1

o

o

 

 

MAP102

Programming and Numerical  Methods

15

1

o

o

x*

 

MAP111

Mathematical Modelling of Industrial Problems 1

15

1

o

o

 

 

MAP202

Static and Dynamic Optimisation

15

2

o

o

 

 

MAP211

Mathematical Modelling of Industrial Problems 2

15

2

o

o

 

 

MAP213

Fluid Mechanics

15

2

o

o

 

 

Engineering Modules

ELD533

Solar Power 1

15

1

o

o

   

ELD534

Wind Power 1

15

1

o

o

 

 

ELP002

MATLAB as a Scientific Programming Language

15

1

o

o

 

 

ELD035

Water Power

15

1

o

o

 

 

MMP130

Structural Analysis

15

1

o

o

 

 

MPP501

Polymer Properties

15

1

o

o

 

o

MPP502

Polymer Science

15

1

o

o

 

o

MPP551

Advanced Characterisation Techniques

15

1

o

o

 

 

ELD540

Advanced Photovoltaics

10

2

o

o

 

 

ELD541

Wind Power 2

10

2

o

o

 

 

MMD900

Mechatronics

20

2

o

o

 

 

MMD902

Laser and Optical Measurements

20

2

o

o

 

 

MMP103

Simulation of Advanced Materials and Processes

15

2

o

o

 

o

MPD103

Tomorrow's Materials

10

2

o

o

 

o

MPP556

Materials Modelling

15

2

o

o

 

o

  *   PHP100 is compulsory for Quantum and Mathematical Physics students with a Physics BSc, MAP102 for those with a Maths BSc

 <30 Students may not register for more than 30 credits of part C (PHCxxx) modules

In exceptional circumstances and at the discretion of the Teaching Coordinator or Head of Department of Physics, candidates may be allowed to substitute an alternative Loughborough University Part D or Part P module for any of the above modules.

4.1          Option Restrictions

Programme

Restriction

All programmes

Options are subject to availability and timetable restrictions

All programmes

Full time students must normally study modules with a total weight of between 50 and 70 credits in each semester (excluding PHP380: Research Project Part 2).

All programmes

Students can take a maximum of 30 credits of “C” coded modules

Adv Ph

Students can take a maximum of 30 credits of engineering Part D or Part P optional modules

Eng Ph

Students must take between 35 and 60 credits of engineering Part D or Part P optional modules

 

5. Criteria for Progression and Degree Award

In order to be eligible for the award, candidates must satisfy the requirements of Regulation XXI.

Students who fail the assessment at their first attempt are allowed the opportunity for reassessment.  This may take place at the Special Assessment Period (if available) or when the module is offered in the following year.

6. Relative Weighting of Parts of the Programme for the Purposes of Final Degree Classification

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