MPhys Theoretical Physics (with a Year Abroad and a Year in Industry variants) 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 Theoretical Physics.
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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 (5 years for Year Abroad/Year in Industry).
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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
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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. Transfer onto or off the Year Abroad route. Transfer onto or off the Year in Industry route.			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	By studying Physics at York, you will join an ambitious and inclusive department that will challenge your understanding of physics and support your desire to explore the fundamental building blocks of the universe and technological society. You will have access to world-leading experts and cutting-edge equipment to support your quest for understanding. By completing your chosen programme, you will learn to appreciate the intellectual beauty, societal purpose, and wider applications of physics and become inspired for a lifetime of learning and exploration. You will become a true physicist. The project provides opportunities for you to develop strong practical, organisational and communication skills and provides you with all the abilities and approaches you will need for future careers. Our research continually evolves and spans topics of astonishing diversity such as: • the magnetisation of the universe, • the pursuit of fusion as an energy source, • the design of smart materials and devices, • being able to communicate securely, • understanding how biological systems interact • unveiling the intricacies of the sub-nuclear world. All of our undergraduate degrees are accredited by the Institute of Physics. The MPhys programmes meet all educational requirements for Chartered Physicist status. • Our Physics programmes provide a balanced all-round physics education emphasising and instructing in the three methodologies of physics; experiment, theory and computation. • The Theoretical Physics programmes develop advanced mathematical approaches to problem solving and highlight the use of computational modelling.
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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	Develop learning strategies: through acquiring core physics and mathematics knowledge and techniques. Have the ability to combine physics and mathematics and apply these to problem solving, experiments and computational tasks.			120 credits of Stage 1 modules.
66	Diploma of Higher Education (Level 5/Intermediate).			Exit only	Establish independence skills: deepen core physics knowledge and mathematical approaches to solve more extended problems. Refine and add conceptual understanding to the core physics introduced at Stage 1. Extend experience in experimentation and computation and develop the ability to manage workloads.			120 credits of Stage 1 plus 120 credits of Stage 2 modules.
67	Bachelors with Honours) (Level 6).			Exit only	Effective self-sufficient learners: through the application of core knowledge and techniques to problem solving and interpreting new situations. Have experience in workload planning to enable effective attempts at open-ended or extended investigations. Meet the BSc PLOs for the appropriate programme.			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	Work independently and within a research team and apply group-specific research methodologies, including objective analysis and constructive criticism of research level literature, to extended or complex open-ended problems.
74	4	Communicate succinctly to the general public and professional physicists through accurate and precise scientific record keeping, scientific report writing and presentations.
75	5	Select and apply sophisticated digital tools for in-depth scientific investigation and in wider societal applications.
76	6	Design and successfully code computer simulations based on advanced computational and theoretical models to evaluate complex physical systems, addressing the accuracy, correctness and limitations of the simulation model.
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78	Diverse entry routes
79	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.
80	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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89	Inclusion
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91	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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93	Employability
94	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.
95	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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