University of the West of England

MODULE SPECIFICATION

(Revised November 2002)

Code: USSJHR-30-0 Title: Matter and Energy Version: 1

Level: 0 UWE credit rating: 30 ECTS credit rating: 15

Module type: Standard

Owning Faculty: Applied Sciences Field: Natural and Life Sciences

Valid from: September 2005 Discontinued from:

Pre-requisites: None

Co-requisites: None

Excluded combinations: None

Learning outcomes:

Students will be able to:

    • demonstrate an understanding of the physical processes underlying various areas in science

    • apply fundamental principles to more complex problems

    • perform numerical calculations in solving scientific problems

    • use various graphical, statistical and numerical methods in analysing experimental data

    • use a variety of mathematical techniques

    • demonstrate an understanding of the philosophy and methodology of science

Syllabus outline:

A study of features and properties of energy from the point of view of mechanics and thermodynamics with elements of atomic and nuclear physics. This will be through a top-down case study to define the topics. Numerical and mathematical skills will be developed through this approach and integrated into the case study.

Indicated Topics

      Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Atomic Physics, Nuclear Physics, Electricity

      The following mathematical and numerical skills will be developed in the context of the case study

      Graphical and Data analysis, Mathematics, Numeracy and scientific calculations, Statistics

Teaching and learning methods:

Delivery of the material and learning activities will be through a top-down integrative case study. The mathematics/statistics strand and the science strand will run in parallel and be coordinated to each contribute to the development of the case study. Each strand will consist of one 1-hour lecture and one 1-hour tutorial for each student per week. In addition, there will be four 2-hour laboratory sessions in the course of the year which will be designed and timetabled to contribute to the development of the case study.

Reading Strategy

All students will be encouraged to make full use of the print and electronic resources available to them through membership of the University. These include a range of electronic journals and a wide variety of resources available through web sites and information gateways. The University Library’s web pages provide access to subject relevant resources and services, and to the library catalogue. Many resources can be accessed remotely. Students will be presented with opportunities within the curriculum to develop their information retrieval and evaluation skills in order to identify such resources effectively.

This guidance will be available either in the module handbook, via the module information on UWEonline or through any other vehicle deemed appropriate by the module/programme leaders

Comprehensive notes will be provided to students via the University’s intranet. Computer-based resources will be placed on the server for the students to use in their own time. There is no requirement to purchase a book for the module, but the following general sources are recommended for reference:

    Touger J., Introductory Physics. Wiley 2005

    Cummings K, Laws P., Redish E., Cooney P., Understanding Physics, Wiley 2004

Assessment

Weighting between components A and B (standard modules only) A: 40% B: 60%

ATTEMPT 1

First Assessment Opportunity

Component A (controlled) Element weighting

EX2

Examination (2 hours)

1

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

  

  

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

CW1

Write up of experiment using mathematical and statistical methods

1

CW2

Individual poster presentation plus 1000 word write-up

1

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

  

  

Second Assessment Opportunity (further attendance at taught classes NO)

Component A

Description of each element Element weighting

EX2

Examination (2 hours)

1

 

    

 

  

  

 

  

  

 

  

  

Component B

Description of each element Element weighting

CW1

Data interpretation exercise using mathematical and statistical methods plus 2000 word theoretical description

1

 

    
 

  

  

 

  

  

 

  

  

SECOND (OR SUBSEQUENT) ATTEMPT Attendance at taught classes YES

Specification confirmed by …………………………………………………Date ……………………………

(Associate Dean/Programme Director)

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