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PH30099: Communicating physics project

[Page last updated: 05 August 2021]

Academic Year: 2021/2
Owning Department/School: Department of Physics
Credits: 12 [equivalent to 24 CATS credits]
Notional Study Hours: 240
Level: Honours (FHEQ level 6)
Period:
Academic Year
Assessment Summary: CW 100%
Assessment Detail:
  • Coursework (CW 100%)
Supplementary Assessment:
PH30099 Reasessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
Requisites: This unit is only available to students on Department of Physics or Natural Sciences degree programmes
Students taking this unit will be required to have an up-to-date DBS check.
Description: Aims:
The aim of this unit is to develop students' knowledge and understanding of various aspects of physics communication and public engagement, by giving them the opportunity to design, deliver and evaluate public engagement events on an aspect of the Department's research. It aims to enhance students' transferable skills, particularly relating to communication, creativity, teamwork, reflective practive and project management.

Learning Outcomes:
While taking this unit the student should be able to:
* explore and use different methods and media for effective physics communication, taking into account aims, contexts and audiences;
* write a technical and a journalistic report at an appropriate level on an aspect of the Department's research;
* design and carry out specific public engagement activities on an aspect of the Department's research;
* demonstrate initiative, creativity and industry;
* work successfully within a team;
* critically evaluate their work using a variety of techniques;
* prepare evaluative e-portfolios, including descriptive and reflective commentaries on the activities carried out.

Skills:
Written Communication T/F A, Spoken Communication T/F A, Team work T/F, Project planning/management T/F A, Evaluation T/F A, Problem Solving T/F A, Information Technology T/F A.

Content:
Students will explore techniques of communicating physics and public engagement. These may include informal and interactive contexts (e.g. public hands-on outreach events, such as science fairs), more structured settings (e.g. presentations within school lessons), or visual media (e.g. a poster, video or webpage).
Working in teams, the students will identify and carry out several physics communication tasks. Students will undertake hands-on outreach activities in general areas of Physics, exploring a range of methods and techniques for physics outreach and public engagement. They will also learn about an aspect of the Department's research in more depth, and will design, put on, and evaluate public engagement activities associated with this research area.

Programme availability:

PH30099 is Optional (DEU) on the following programmes:

Department of Physics
  • USXX-AFB03 : BSc(Hons) Mathematics and Physics (Year 3)
  • USXX-AAB04 : BSc(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • USXX-AKB04 : BSc(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • USPH-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Physics (Year 3)
  • USPH-AAB02 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • USPH-AKB02 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • USPH-AFB10 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics (Year 3)
  • USPH-AAB10 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • USPH-AKB10 : BSc(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • USXX-AFM01 : MSci(Hons) Mathematics and Physics (Year 3)
  • USXX-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • USXX-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Year long work placement (Year 4)

PH30099 is Optional on the following programmes:

Programmes in Natural Sciences
  • UXXX-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Biology stream) (Year 3)
  • UXXX-AAB02 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Biology stream) with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • UXXX-AKB02 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Biology stream) with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UXXX-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Chemistry stream) (Year 3)
  • UXXX-AAB02 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Chemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • UXXX-AKB02 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Chemistry stream) with Year long work placement (Year 4)
  • UXXX-AFB01 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Environmental Science stream) (Year 3)
  • UXXX-AAB02 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Environmental Science stream) with Study year abroad (Year 4)
  • UXXX-AKB02 : BSc(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Environmental Science stream) with Year long work placement (Year 4)

Notes:

  • This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2021/22 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2022/23 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2021/22.
  • Programmes and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
  • Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
  • Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.