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Undergraduate Programme Specification

BSc Applied Mathematics and Physics

Academic Year 2022/23

A programme specification is required for any programme on which a student may be registered. All programmes of the University are subject to the University's Quality Assurance processes. All degrees are awarded by Queen's University Belfast.

Programme Title BSc Applied Mathematics and Physics Final Award
(exit route if applicable for Postgraduate Taught Programmes)
Bachelor of Science
Programme Code AMA-BSC-JS UCAS Code GF13 HECoS Code 100403 - Mathematics - 50
100425 - Physics - 50
ATAS Clearance Required No
Mode of Study Full Time
Type of Programme Joint Honours Single Length of Programme Full Time - 3 Academic Years
Total Credits for Programme 360
Exit Awards available No

Institute Information

Teaching Institution

Queen's University Belfast

School/Department

Mathematics & Physics

Quality Code
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code

Higher Education Credit Framework for England
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/higher-education-credit-framework-for-england

Level 6

Subject Benchmark Statements
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/quality-code/subject-benchmark-statements

The Frameworks for Higher Education Qualifications of UK Degree-Awarding Bodies
https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/quality-code/qualifications-frameworks.pdf

Mathematics, Statistics and Operational Research (2019)

Accreditations (PSRB)

Institute of Physics

Date of most recent Accreditation Visit 26-03-19

Regulation Information

Does the Programme have any approved exemptions from the University General Regulations
(Please see General Regulations)

Programme Specific Regulations

Students will not be permitted to register for Stage 2 unless they have passed all their core Level 1 modules.

Transfers to Other Pathways

Up to the start of Stage 3, students may transfer to other Pathways (BSc, or if they have achieved a weighted average of at least 55%, before rounding MSci), provided they have passed all the compulsory modules on the Pathway to which they are transferring up to that time of transfer.

Students with protected characteristics

Are students subject to Fitness to Practise Regulations

(Please see General Regulations)

No

Educational Aims Of Programme

On completion of the B.Sc. Applied Mathematics and Physics, a successful student will be able to:

-Demonstrate appropriate understanding of the basic body of knowledge of applied mathematics and physics, and appropriate skill in manipulation of this knowledge, including in its application to problem solving
-Apply core applied mathematics and physics concepts in well-defined contexts, through the judicious use of analytical and computational methods, tools and techniques and the judicious use of logical arguments
-Analyse problems through their formulation in terms of mathematics and physics
-Communicate mathematical and physical arguments to a range of audiences in both written and oral form
-Interpret the physical world/universe and how it works through application of fundamental postulates and assumptions
- Demonstrate mathematical, computational, practical, problem solving, and personal skills which can be exploited by a variety of employers, such as those involved in industrial or academic research and development, engineering, education, health care, software development, business and finance

Learning Outcomes

Learning Outcomes: Cognitive Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Apply mathematical knowledge logically and accurately in the solution of examples and small-scale problems.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

By their nature, mathematics and physics have to be presented logically. The lectures and model examples to problems provide exemplars of this logical structure. They also identify the tools needed to address certain problems. Tutorial problems and assignments offer the students opportunities to develop their logical reasoning skills, to develop skills in organising their reasoning and application of mathematical and physical principles, and to develop skills in the selection of techniques.

Methods of Assessment

The assessment of these skills is implicit in most methods of assessment, including exams, coursework, practical and project work. The overall degree of success in any assessment depends to a large extent on students’ mastery of logical and accurate methods of solution, well-organised structure of answers, and the identification of the appropriate solution method.

Organise their work in a structured manner.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

By their nature, mathematics and physics have to be presented logically. The lectures and model examples to problems provide exemplars of this logical structure. They also identify the tools needed to address certain problems. Tutorial problems and assignments offer the students opportunities to develop their logical reasoning skills, to develop skills in organising their reasoning and application of mathematical and physical principles, and to develop skills in the selection of techniques.

Methods of Assessment

The assessment of these skills is implicit in most methods of assessment, including exams, coursework, practical and project work. The overall degree of success in any assessment depends to a large extent on students’ mastery of logical and accurate methods of solution, well-organised structure of answers, and the identification of the appropriate solution method.

Analyse problems and situations within physics in mathematical terms, and identify the appropriate physics concepts and mathematical tools and techniques for their solution.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

By their nature, mathematics and physics have to be presented logically. The lectures and model examples to problems provide exemplars of this logical structure. They also identify the tools needed to address certain problems. Tutorial problems and assignments offer the students opportunities to develop their logical reasoning skills, to develop skills in organising their reasoning and application of mathematical and physical principles, and to develop skills in the selection of techniques.

Methods of Assessment

The assessment of these skills is implicit in most methods of assessment, including exams, coursework, practical and project work. The overall degree of success in any assessment depends to a large extent on students’ mastery of logical and accurate methods of solution, well-organised structure of answers, and the identification of the appropriate solution method.

Conduct an experimental or theoretical physics investigation under supervision.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

The project modules will offer the students the opportunity to identify what it takes to carry out a longer investigation in experimental or theoretical physics. These skills are also developed through extended assignments in a wide range of modules across the entire spectrum.

Methods of Assessment

These skills are assessed mainly through project reports and oral presentations on project work of increasing complexity, culminating in the final project.

Learning Outcomes: Knowledge & Understanding

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Demonstrate understanding of the fundamental concepts and techniques of calculus, analysis, algebra, linear algebra and numerical methods.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures provide the core method for the presentation of the knowledge required for students to be successful. Each lecture-based module has associated tutorials, and, where appropriate, laboratory and practical classes to assist the student with the development of understanding of the core contents, including its application. Assignments are provided to assist further development of understanding. These assignments are marked and returned to students typically within one week with individual feedback. Model solutions to these assignments are made available to students for additional self-study.

Methods of Assessment

Formal exams, class tests, small reports, presentations.

Use these fundamental concepts and techniques in a range of application areas, including, for example, partial differential equations, mechanics, numerical analysis, optics, quantum mechanics, electromagnetism and statistical mechanics.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures provide the core method for the presentation of the knowledge required for students to be successful. Each lecture-based module has associated tutorials, and, where appropriate, laboratory and practical classes to assist the student with the development of understanding of the core contents, including its application. Assignments are provided to assist further development of understanding. These assignments are marked and returned to students typically within one week with individual feedback. Model solutions to these assignments are made available to students for additional self-study.

Methods of Assessment

Formal exams, class tests, small reports, presentations.

Application of the fundamental concepts is also of importance to any of the project modules, as deeper understanding will result in higher marks.

Demonstrate knowledge and conceptual understanding of the theory and application of core physics concepts in the areas of classical and relativistic mechanics, quantum physics, condensed matter, electromagnetism, optics and thermodynamics.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures provide the core method for the presentation of the knowledge required for students to be successful. Each lecture-based module has associated tutorials, and, where appropriate, laboratory and practical classes to assist the student with the development of understanding of the core contents, including its application. Assignments are provided to assist further development of understanding. These assignments are marked and returned to students typically within one week with individual feedback. Model solutions to these assignments are made available to students for additional self-study.

Methods of Assessment

Examinations, class tests, written and online assignments, tutorial performance, written reports, oral presentations.

Understand and appreciate the importance of mathematical and physics logic.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures provide the core method for the presentation of the knowledge required for students to be successful. Each lecture-based module has associated tutorials, and, where appropriate, laboratory and practical classes to assist the student with the development of understanding of the core contents, including its application. Assignments are provided to assist further development of understanding. These assignments are marked and returned to students typically within one week with individual feedback. Model solutions to these assignments are made available to students for additional self-study.

Methods of Assessment

Formal exams, class tests, small reports, presentations.

This appreciation is of particular importance to the project modules, as such logic is critical to arrive at appropriate conclusions.

Demonstrate understanding, and application of this understanding, within a range of more specialist optional topics within applied mathematics.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures provide the core method for the presentation of the knowledge required for students to be successful. Each lecture-based module has associated tutorials, and, where appropriate, laboratory and practical classes to assist the student with the development of understanding of the core contents, including its application. Assignments are provided to assist further development of understanding. These assignments are marked and returned to students typically within one week with individual feedback. Model solutions to these assignments are made available to students for additional self-study.

Methods of Assessment

Formal exams, class tests, small reports, presentations.

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding in selected specialist physics topics (and an awareness of current trends and developments at the frontiers of these subjects?)

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures provide the core method for the presentation of the knowledge required for students to be successful. Each lecture-based module has associated tutorials, and, where appropriate, laboratory and practical classes to assist the student with the development of understanding of the core contents, including its application. Assignments are provided to assist further development of understanding. These assignments are marked and returned to students typically within one week with individual feedback. Model solutions to these assignments are made available to students for additional self-study.

Methods of Assessment

Examinations, assignments, written reports/essays, oral presentations, and oral review meetings.

Learning Outcomes: Subject Specific

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Demonstrate understanding of logical mathematical arguments, including mathematical proofs and their construction, and apply these arguments appropriately.

Demonstrate understanding of core physics concepts, and apply these concepts appropriately.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Each lecture-based module has associated tutorials, and, where appropriate, practical classes to assist the student with the development of understanding and application of logical mathematical arguments, physical concepts and/or analytic/numerical mathematical techniques. Assignments also assist the development of understanding in these areas.

The project modules allow students to spend time on a more extended problem, which will enable a more in-depth development of mathematical and/or physics arguments and application of mathematical and/or physics techniques.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment is mainly through formal examination and class tests for lecture-based modules. This assessment is supplemented through written reports and oral presentations. For project modules, the latter is the main method of assessment.

Apply a wide range of analytic and/or numerical mathematical techniques and physics concepts within well-defined mathematics and physics contexts, and to formulate and solve mathematics and physics problems in more loosely defined contexts.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Each lecture-based module has associated tutorials, and, where appropriate, practical classes to assist the student with the development of understanding and application of logical mathematical arguments, physical concepts and/or analytic/numerical mathematical techniques. Assignments also assist the development of understanding in these areas.

The project modules allow students to spend time on a more extended problem, which will enable a more in-depth development of mathematical and/or physics arguments and application of mathematical and/or physics techniques.

Methods of Assessment

Assessment is mainly through formal examination and class tests for lecture-based modules. This assessment is supplemented through written reports and oral presentations. For project modules, the latter is the main method of assessment.

Use a range of mathematical software for the solution of mathematical and/or physics problems.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Basic skills are developed through the mathematical modelling module, the professional skills modules and the computer algebra module. Numerical analysis has associated computer practicals, using appropriate specialist software.

In the project modules, further opportunities to use mathematical software may be available.

Methods of Assessment

These skills are primarily assessed through reports and presentations associated with work carried out using mathematical software.

Present mathematical and physical findings through oral and written means to a range of audiences.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Communication through reports and/or oral presentations forms a compulsory part of many modules across the entire range of modules offered.

Methods of Assessment

These skills are primarily assessed through compulsory reports and presentations within many modules.

Perform dimensional analysis and order of magnitude estimates.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Discussed and demonstrated in lectures and tutorials. Routinely practiced in other modules.

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, tutorial performance.

Plan, execute and report the results of an experiment or investigation, and compare results critically with predictions from theory and/or experiment.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Laboratory experiments, computational projects and research projects.

Methods of Assessment

Assignments, written reports, oral presentations, oral review meetings.

Plan and execute a small-scale experimental or theoretical investigation in a specific research area of physics including critical and quantitative assessment of their own work and the work of others.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

One-to one supervision of substantial project performed individually or as part of a team in a current area of mathematics or physics research.

Methods of Assessment

Online safety tests, risk assessments, literature reviews, oral presentations, laboratory performance, oral review meeting, written report.

Learning Outcomes: Transferable Skills

On the completion of this course successful students will be able to:

Adopt an analytic approach to problem solving.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Analytic thinking is part of any module in mathematics and physics, and is therefore cultivated through the tutorials, practicals and assignments associated with each lecture-based module, including all the project components.

It is also a critical skill developed during the project modules.

Methods of Assessment

Analytic thinking is embedded implicitly in every assessment within mathematics and physics.

Problem solving skills will be assessed through an extended range of project work, culminating in the final-year project modules.

Search for, evaluate and reference relevant information from a range of sources.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Lectures/workshops on how to use and reference and review library books, scientific papers, and internet sources. Re-enforced at all levels through supervision during labs, research projects and group projects, and formative and summative feedback for student coursework.

Methods of Assessment

Written reports and essays, oral presentations (for individual and group projects), literature reviews.

Use computer technology efficiently for a variety of purposes.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Basic computer modelling skills are developed through the mathematical modelling module, the professional skills modules and the computer algebra module.

Numerical analysis has associated computer –oriented tasks, where students can develop skills in the use of appropriate specialist software.

In the project modules, further opportunities to use mathematical software may be available.

Written reports develop skills in the use of word-processing software, while the presentations can develop skills in the use of presentation software.

Methods of Assessment

Computer modelling skills are primarily assessed through reports and presentations associated with work carried out using numerical software.

The main test in Computer Algebra takes place through a direct assessment of their use of appropriate software.

Computer skills in word-processing and presentation development are assessed implicitly in the project and presentation assessment.

Communicate mathematical and physics ideas and concepts.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Any assignment or coursework or project work involves the communication of mathematical and/or physics ideas, and these skills are thus embedded indirectly in any module.

Any report or presentation will provide an explicit learning opportunity, where the increase in complexity at higher levels will provide a means for communication skill development.

Methods of Assessment

The assessment of communication skills takes place through the reports and presentations, where higher skill levels will result in higher overall marks.

Present findings through written reports.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Any assignment or coursework or project work involves the communication of mathematical and/or physics ideas, and these skills are thus embedded indirectly in any module.

Any report or presentation will provide an explicit learning opportunity, where the increase in complexity at higher levels will provide a means for communication skill development.

Methods of Assessment

The assessment of communication skills takes place through the reports and presentations, where higher skill levels will result in higher overall marks.

Present findings through oral communication.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Any assignment or coursework or project work involves the communication of mathematical and/or physics ideas, and these skills are thus embedded indirectly in any module.

Any report or presentation will provide an explicit learning opportunity, where the increase in complexity at higher levels will provide a means for communication skill development.

Methods of Assessment

The assessment of communication skills takes place through the reports and presentations, where higher skill levels will result in higher overall marks.

Manage their time.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Project work associated with modules at each Level are the prime method for development. The increase in level of complexity of such projects throughout the programme, in line with student’s overall development, will implicitly develop the students’ skills in project management.

Laboratory experiments, research projects, group projects, and personal tutoring/supervision/mentoring.

Methods of Assessment

These skills are assessed implicitly as part of any project component to a module. A higher level of skill in time management will provide student with greater opportunity to present a well thought-through report, which allows the students to better highlight their achievements.

Oversee small-scale projects, either individually or as part of a team.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Project work associated with modules at each Level are the prime method for development. The increase in level of complexity of such projects throughout the programme, in line with student’s overall development, will implicitly develop the students’ skills in project management.

Laboratory experiments, research projects, group projects, and personal tutoring/supervision/mentoring.

Methods of Assessment

These skills are assessed implicitly as part of any project component to a module. A higher level of skill in time management will provide student with greater opportunity to present a well thought-through report, which allows the students to better highlight their achievements.

Appreciate and demonstrate the importance of health and safety, risk assessment and scientific ethics.

Teaching/Learning Methods and Strategies

Safety training courses, lectures, workshops, personal supervision.

Methods of Assessment

Project/lab risk assessments, online safety tests, assignments.

Module Information

Stages and Modules

Module Title Module Code Level/ stage Credits

Availability

Duration Pre-requisite

Assessment

S1 S2 Core Option Coursework % Practical % Examination %
Foundation Physics PHY1001 1 40 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 0% 30% 70%
Introduction to Algebra and Analysis MTH1011 1 30 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 0% 0% 100%
Scientific Skills PHY1004 1 20 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 70% 30% 0%
Mathematical Methods 1 MTH1021 1 30 YES YES 24 weeks N YES -- 15% 0% 85%
Quantum & Statistical Physics PHY2001 2 20 YES -- 12 weeks Y YES -- 40% 0% 60%
Linear Algebra MTH2011 2 20 YES -- 12 weeks N YES -- 30% 0% 70%
Employability for Physics PHY2010 2 0 YES -- 10 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Analysis MTH2012 2 20 YES -- 12 weeks Y -- YES 10% 0% 90%
Group Theory MTH2014 2 20 -- YES 12 weeks Y -- YES 30% 0% 70%
Employability for Mathematics MTH2010 2 0 YES -- 10 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Electricity, Magnetism and Optics PHY2004 2 20 -- YES 12 weeks Y YES -- 40% 0% 60%
Astrophysics I PHY2003 2 20 YES -- 12 weeks Y -- YES 20% 40% 40%
Physics of the Solid State PHY2002 2 20 -- YES 12 weeks Y -- YES 40% 0% 60%
Atomic and Nuclear Physics PHY2005 2 20 -- YES 12 weeks Y -- YES 40% 0% 60%
Metric Spaces MTH2013 2 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 30% 0% 70%
Classical Mechanics MTH2031 2 20 YES -- 12 weeks Y -- YES 20% 0% 80%
Mathematical Methods 2 MTH2021 2 20 -- YES 12 weeks N YES -- 40% 0% 60%
Classical Fields MTH3031 3 20 YES -- 12 weeks N -- YES 30% 0% 70%
Discrete Mathematics MTH3022 3 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 30% 0% 70%
Physics in Medicine PHY3006 3 20 YES -- 12 weeks N -- YES 50% 0% 50%
Advanced Electromagnetism and Optics PHY3004 3 20 YES -- 12 weeks Y -- YES 20% 0% 80%
Quantum Mechanics and Relativity PHY3001 3 20 YES -- 12 weeks N -- YES 20% 0% 80%
Physics Single Project PHY3007 3 20 YES YES 12 weeks N -- YES 90% 10% 0%
Dynamical Systems MTH3021 3 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 30% 0% 70%
Advanced Solid State Physics PHY3002 3 20 -- YES 12 weeks Y -- YES 20% 0% 80%
Nuclear and Particle Physics PHY3005 3 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 20% 0% 80%
Astrophysics II PHY3003 3 20 -- YES 12 weeks Y -- YES 20% 0% 80%
Applied Mathematics Project AMA3011 3 20 YES YES 12 weeks N -- YES 80% 20% 0%
Modelling and Simulation MTH3024 3 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Computational Projects PHY3009 3 20 YES -- 12 weeks N -- YES 100% 0% 0%
Geometry of Optimisation MTH4323 3 20 YES -- 12 weeks N -- YES 20% 0% 80%
Quantum Fields MTH4331 3 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 20% 20% 60%
Numerical Analysis MTH3023 3 20 YES -- 12 weeks N -- YES 50% 0% 50%
Fourier Analysis and Applications to PDEs MTH4321 3 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 30% 0% 70%
Rings and Modules MTH3012 3 20 YES -- 12 weeks N -- YES 30% 0% 70%
Quantum Theory MTH3032 3 20 YES -- 12 weeks N -- YES 30% 0% 70%
Financial Mathematics MTH3025 3 20 -- YES 12 weeks N -- YES 20% 10% 70%
Measure and Integration MTH3011 3 20 YES -- 12 weeks N -- YES 30% 0% 70%

Notes

At Stage 3, students must take an approved combination of SIX modules (120 units). The choice must include at least 2 taught modules from Physics and 2 taught modules from Mathematics.
Including either Maths or Physics Project modules AMA3011 or PHY3007, PLUS either MTH3032 Quantum Theory OR PHY3001 Quantum Mechanics and Relativity, PLUS either MTH3023 Numerical Analysis or MTH3024 Modelling and Simulation or PHY3009 Computational Project.

All pre-requisites can be viewed on QSIS Course Catalogue.

At Stage 2, students must take the FOUR compulsory modules listed (80 units), PLUS TWO from the optional modules listed (40 units). MTH2031 Classical Mechanics is a recommended module.

PHY2010 OR MTH2010 is compulsory for students wishing to take a placement year.

At Stage 1 students are required to take the FOUR compulsory modules (120 units).