MPhys Physics with Philosophy Programme Specification 2023-24

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1	ACADEMIC QUALITY TEAM
2	Programme Specifications 2023-24
3	Revised February 2023
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6	Programme Title			MPhys Physics with Philosophy.
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8	This document applies to students who commenced the programme(s) in:			2023		Award type			MPhys
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10	What level is this qualification?			7		Length of programme			4 years
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12	Mode of study (Full / Part Time)			Full time
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14	Will the programme use standard University semester dates?			Yes		For York Online programmes, will standard dates for such programmes be used?			Semester 1 18 September 2023 - 2 February 2024 Semester 2 5 February 2024 - 7 June 2024.
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16	Awarding institution			University of York		Board of Studies for the programme			School of Physics, Engineering & Technology.
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18	Lead department			School of Physics, Engineering & Technology.		Other contributing departments			Philosophy
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20	Language of study and assessment			English		Language(s) of assessment			English
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22	Is this a campus-based or online programme?			Campus
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24	Partner organisations
25	If there are any partner organisations involved in the delivery of the programme, please outline the nature of their involvement. You may wish to refer to the Policy on Collaborative Provision
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29	Reference points
30	Please state relevant reference points consulted in the design of this programme (for example, relevant documentation setting out PSRB requirements; the University's Frameworks for Programme Design (UG or PGT); QAA Subject Benchmark Statements; QAA Qualifications and Credit Frameworks).
31	Institute of Physics Degree Accreditation Framework, the University's Frameworks for Programme Design (UG); QAA Subject Benchmark Statements.
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34	Credit Transfer and Recognition of Prior Learning
35	Will this programme involve any exemptions from the University Policy and Procedures on Credit Transfer and the Recognition of Prior Learning? If so, please specify and give a rationale
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39	Exceptions to Regulations
40	Please detail any exceptions to University Award Regulations and Frameworks that need to be approved (or are already approved) for this programme. This should include any that have been approved for related programmes and should be extended to this programme.
41	UTC approval has been granted for the following exceptions: 1)No extensions or late penalties for Physics Practice Questions as these are substantially formative assessments where solutions are released immediately after the deadline. 2)For modules with a practical laboratory component that component should not be internally compensated. Passing the practical component is part of the Institute of Physics accredition requirement. 3)Final year project modules are non compensatable.
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44	Internal Transfers
45	Please use the boxes below to specify if transfers into / out of the programme from / to other programmes within the University are possible by indicating yes or no and listing any restrictions. These boxes can also be used to highlight any common transfer routes which it would be useful for students to know.
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47		Transfers in:	Transfers in are permitted providing the entry and/or progression requirements of the new programme of study have been met. Common transfer routes include: MPhys to BSc.			Transfers out:	Transfers out are permitted assuming the entry and/or progression requirements of the new programme of study have been met.
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50	Statement of Purpose
51	Please briefly outline the overall aims of the programme. This should clarify to a prospective student why they should choose this programme, what it will provide to them and what benefits they will gain from completing it.
52	Physics and philosophy are two of the deepest subjects, investigating the fundamental nature of reality. Philosophers are fascinated by the conceptual issues raised by physics, and some of the greatest physicists have been concerned with philosophical questions. In our Joint Honours degree programme, you will receive a thorough grounding in both subjects and be given the opportunity to explore the interesting connections between them (for instance, the York Philosophy Department York is strong in the philosophy of time, resulting in natural synergies with research interests in the Physics Department). At the end of a programme carefully constructed to develop your skills in the techniques of physics, mathematics and philosophy, and your ability to solve complex problems, you will be able to appreciate the intellectual beauty and societal applications of physics and philosophy, and be inspired to lifelong learning. The degree is accredited by the leading professional body for physics education, the Institute of Physics, and will enable you to gain employment in all the fields accessible to physics graduates, who enjoy the third-highest postgraduate incomes, after law and medicine. Study in philosophy will, in addition, equip you with skills in communication, argument and critical analysis which are applicable in a wide range of work situations and attractive to prospective employers. The MPhys programmes meet all educational requirements for Chartered Physicist status.
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63	If there are additional awards associated with the programme upon which students can register, please specify the Statement of Purpose for that programme. This will be most relevant for PGT programmes with exit awards that are also available as entry points. Use additional rows to include more than one additional award. Do not include years in industry / abroad (for which there are separate boxes).
64	Exit Award Title			Is the exit award also available as an entry point?	Outcomes: what will the student be able to do on exit with this award?			Specify the module diet that the student will need to complete to obtain this exit award
65	Certificate of Higher Education (Level 4/Certificate).			Exit only	Apply the techniques and results of physics and mathematics to independently solve complex problems, using core physics, mathematics and/or computational knowledge.			120 credits of Stage 1 modules.
66	Diploma of Higher Education (Level 5/Intermediate).			Exit only	Apply the principles of physics to construct and execute a scientific investigation to evaluate a hypothesis and interpret the results.			120 credits of Stage 1 plus 120 credits of Stage 2 modules.
67	Bachelors with Honours) (Level 6).			Exit only	Recognise and define key problems, issues, and debates across a range of areas of philosophy—including some at the forefront of contemporary work—and apply their understanding in approaching new problems.			120 credits of Stage 1 plus 120 credits of Stage 2 plus 120 credits of Stage 3 modules.
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69	Programme Learning Outcomes
70	What are the programme learning outcomes (PLOs) for the programme? (Normally a minimum of 6, maximum of 8). Taken together, these outcomes should capture the distinctive features of the programme and represent the outcomes that students progressively develop in the programme and achieve at graduation. PLOs should be worded to follow the stem 'Graduates will be able to...'
71	1	Apply independent learning strategies that incorporate core and advanced physics, mathematics and/or computational knowledge, techniques and understanding to synthesise and evaluate physical world problems.
72	2	Plan and execute extended or complex scientific investigation using the principles of physics in investigating a hypothesis, and interpret outcomes.
73	3	Recognise and define key problems, issues, and debates across a range of areas of philosophy—including some at the forefront of contemporary work—and apply a developed understanding of core philosophical issues in approaching new problems.
74	4	Develop and articulate solutions to problems and puzzles in philosophy, lay out what can be said for and against these solutions, and make a measured judgement about what is the best solution in each case, working in a critically reflective and autonomous way and supporting their judgement with a sustained line of argument based on a sophisticated appreciation of the considerations raised.
75	5	Communicate complex and difficult ideas in clear, precise, and accessible terms to the general public and professional scientists and philosophers in a variety of formats—in particular, articulating the interrelations between core areas and defending outcomes in physics, and explaining key problems, issues, and debates in philosophy.
76	6	Collaborate effectively with others, and work with a group to apply physics themes and concepts to open-ended problems.
77	7	Critically evaluate the merits and demerits of competing scientific and philosophical theories, and hence plan and execute an in-depth investigation of a particular area of physics.
78	8	Engage with a range of physical and philosophical theories, and the connections between them, in order to appreciate the intellectual beauty and societal applications of physics and philosophy, and be inspired to lifelong learning.
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80	Diverse entry routes
81	Detail how you would support students from diverse entry routes to transition into the programme. For example, disciplinary knowledge and conventions of the discipline, language skills, academic and writing skills, lab skills, academic integrity.
82	Entrants to the programmes have traditionally been diverse, including many through the Foundation Year route, and group tutorials are used for students to learn from others with different backgrounds in the first semester with their Academic Supervisor while practicing fundamental problem-solving skills. The role of the Academic Supervisor is to recognise the needs of students when they arrive in the first year and signpost them to appropriate support services. We also bring in skills modules early in the programme so that students can practice and develop their employable, transferable, mathematical, computational and professional skills. In the first year this is captured in the Mathematical, Computational & Professional Skills 1 & 2 modules. Practical laboratory skills are introduced in the first laboratories students encounter. We also recommend that students can receive additional support from the central provision of the Maths Skills Centre and the Writing Centre if needed. Our White Rose Industrial Physics Academy also helps students to consider their career direction early.
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91	Inclusion
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93	Please confirm by ticking the box on the right that the design, content and delivery of the programme will support students from all backgrounds to succeed. This refers to the University's duties under the Equality Act 2010. You may wish to refer to the optional Inclusive Learning self-assessment tools to support reflection on this issue.
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95	Employability
96	Please give a brief overview - no more than 5 sentences - of how the programmes helps develop students' employability. Your Faculty Employability Manager can help reflection on this issue. This statement will be used by Marketing as the basis for external content with respect to employability.
97	You'll learn skills in analysis, mathematics and problem-solving that are relevant in a wide range of high-tech industries, including financial technology, energy and medical healthcare. You'll be supported by the York-led White Rose Industrial Physics Academy; a dedicated resource that organises collaborations between students and employers. We work with industry leaders such as Rolls Royce, MET Office, IBM and BT, plus research facilities including Diamond Light Source, UKAEA, CERN and STFC to facilitate placement opportunities. As part of our dedicated careers support for all Physics students, we organise year in industry placements, physics-specific careers fairs, leadership-building exercises, and site visits. These activities support our diverse range of talented students to enter the graduate job market with a competitive edge.
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