2012/2013

PHYSICS

NFQ Level 8, Major Award

Students may enter Second Science from the First Science Area of Study Physics and Astrophysics (CK408), and may proceed to a BSc Single Honours Degree in Astrophysics, Education in Physical Sciences or Physics, or a Joint Honours Degree in Physics with one of Applied Mathematics or Mathematics.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS - BSc SINGLE HONOURS DEGREE

To progress to Second Science Single Honours Physics students must have passed the First Science Examination overall.

Students registered for the BSc Single Honours Degree in Physics may re-register for the BSc Single Honours in Astrophysics programme (or vice versa) at the end of their First or Second Years, subject to having passed the First Science Examination overall.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS - BSc JOINT HONOURS

Students in the Physics and Astrophysics Area of Study (CK408) who have passed First Science are eligible to enter the Joint Honours programme in Physics and Mathematics.

Students in the Physics and Astrophysics Area of Study (CK408) wishing to proceed to the Joint Honours programme in Physics and Applied Mathematics must have taken AM1054 (5 credits) from the list of electives for CK408 and passed First Science in order to be eligible for entering the Joint Honours programme in Physics and Applied Mathematics.

Students in the Physics and Astrophysics Area of Study (CK408) wishing to proceed to the Chemical Physics degree programme must have taken CM1000 (15 credits) from the list of electives for CK408 and passed First Science in order to be eligible for entering the Chemical Physics degree programme.

Students from the Mathematical Sciences Area of Study (CK407) who have taken the Physics modules PY1052 and PY1053 in First Science, and who pass First Science, will be eligible to enter the Joint Honours programme in Physics and Applied Mathematics or Physics and Mathematics.

The programme structures for Physics are shown in Table 7.

TABLE 7 - PHYSICS

PROGRAMME REQUIREMENTS

The modules taken in the above programme structures are:

Notes:

1. The substitution of taught modules by Project modules requires special permission from the Head of the Department.
2. Other Elective modules may be selected from outside the Physics Department with the approval of the Head of Department.
3. Individual elective modules may occasionally not be offered on some calendar years.

Module descriptions are contained in the Book of Modules, 2012/2013.

Examinations

Single Honours

Students who pass the Third University Examination and qualify to proceed into Fourth Science may opt instead to be conferred with a BSc Ordinary Degree. Students who pass the Third University Examination in Science, but do not qualify to proceed into Fourth Science will be awarded a BSc Ordinary Degree.

Joint Honours

Students who pass the Third University Examination in Science (Physics) and who qualify to proceed into Fourth Science may opt instead to be conferred with a BSc Ordinary degree.

The Fourth Science Research Project must be passed for the award of a BSc (Hons) Degree. There is no Autumn Supplemental Examination in the Research Project module which, if failed, must be repeated in a repeat year.

Full details of regulations governing Examinations for each programme will be contained in the Marks and Standards 2013 Book, and for each module in the Book of Modules, 2012/2013.

Three Year Rule

Students must pass the Second and Third University Examinations in Science - Physics within three academic years from the date of first registration for Second and Third Years respectively; Students must pass the BSc (Hons) (Physics) Degree Examination within three academic years from the date of first registration for Fourth Year. Failure to comply with this rule would mean that the student would be ineligible to proceed further with his/her studies. Exceptions to this rule may be granted by the College, only for very serious reasons.

Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc in Applied Mathematics and Physics (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Formulate mathematical models for problems arising in Science.
• Analytically solve mathematical problems coming from real-world applications using mathematical tools and approximation techniques distilled from the theory of partial and stochastic differential equations, fluid mechanics, nonlinear dynamical systems, optimisation, asymptotic methods and other topics in applied mathematics.
• Implement numerical algorithms and apply numerical techniques for the solution of mathematical models of science problems on a computer using software packages such as Mathematica and C programming languages.
• Communicate with researchers of diverse scientific backgrounds and disciplines, contributing to formulation, testing and verification of mathematical models and solution of science problems by methods of applied mathematics.
• Identify, formulate, analyse and solve physics problems.
• Design an experiment to test a hypothesis or theory in physics.
• Prepare written laboratory reports that provide a description of the experiment, explain the experiment and reasoning clearly, and provide an appropriate conclusion.

Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc in Astrophysics (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Derive and apply solutions from knowledge of physics, astrophysics, and mathematics.
• Identify, formulate, analyse and solve physics and astrophysics problems.
• Design an experiment to test a hypothesis or theory in physics and astrophysics.
• Prepare written laboratory reports that provide a description of the experiment, explain the experiment and reasoning clearly, and provide an appropriate conclusion.
• Communicate effectively with the physics and astrophysics communities.

Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc in Mathematics and Physics (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Apply their knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts, theories, principles and methods of mathematics to analyse and solve problems of a mathematical nature.
• Give clear and organized written and verbal explanations of mathematical ideas.
• Demonstrate mastery of the core concepts of several areas of pure mathematics and recognize the interdependency of different areas.
• Extend course material to solve original problems.
• Contribute effectively as members of project teams dealing with mathematical topics, including the delivery of oral presentations and written reports.
• Derive and apply solutions from knowledge of physics and mathematics.
• Identify, formulate, analyse and solve physics problems.
• Design an experiment to test a hypothesis or theory in physics.
• Prepare written laboratory reports that provide a description of the experiment, explain the experiment and reasoning clearly, and provide an appropriate conclusion.
• Communicate effectively with the physics community.

Programme Learning Outcomes for BSc in Physics (NFQ Level 8, Major Award)
On successful completion of this programme, students should be able to:

• Derive and apply solutions from knowledge of physics and mathematics.
• Identify, formulate, analyse and solve physics problems.
• Design an experiment to test a hypothesis or theory in physics.
• Prepare written laboratory reports that provide a description of the experiment, explain the experiment and reasoning clearly, and provide an appropriate conclusion.
• Communicate effectively with the physics community.