Admission Criteria

Candidates must be able to satisfy the general admission requirements of the University of the West of Scotland as specified in Chapter 2 of the University Regulatory Framework together with the following programme requirements:

SQA National Qualifications

Grades BBBB at Higher including Physics and Maths. English at least at standard grade.

or GCE

Grades BCC at A Level in Physics and Maths and including English at GCSE.

Grades BBB at A Level (including Physics and Maths) will normally qualify applicants for direct entry into the second year of the programme.

or SQA National Qualifications/Edexcel Foundation

An appropriate HNC/HND award with the level of entry and/or credit awarded being subject to the content of the HN programme. Normally, suitably applicants with HNC
will qualify for direct entry into the second year of the programme and applicants
with HND will qualify for direct entry into the third year of the programme.

Other Required Qualifications/Experience

Applicants may also be considered with other academic, vocational or professional qualifications deemed to be equivalent.

Further desirable skills pre-application

General Overview

The BSc (Hons) (Sandwich) Physics with Nuclear Technology programme presents a unique opportunity for the students to study the core elements of Physics together whilst obtaining specialist knowledge and training in the area of Nuclear Technology. Physics and Nuclear Technology are experimental subjects dealing with fundamental concepts. Some of the individual modules that will be studied are focused on applied aspects at the interface of Physics and Nuclear Technology, incorporating the delivery of physics fundamentals whilst being underpinned by active research programmes in nuclear physics.

The distinct selection of modules meets the expectations of the QAA Subject Benchmarks for Physics and related criteria set out by the Institute of Physics. The Physics programme at UWS was accredited by the IOP in 2009. The Physics with Nuclear Technology programme will be included in the renewal of the accreditation in late 2011. The QAA document states: “Honours degrees should be awarded to students who have demonstrated: (1) A basic knowledge and understanding of physical laws and principles, and some application of these principles; (2) An ability to identify relevant principles and laws when dealing with problems; (3) The ability to execute and analyse the results of an experiment or investigation." This programme meets all of these criteria with a selection of Modules that are not only benchmarked with modern topics in physics research and on industry demands.

The programme includes in the first two years an intense study of the core principles of traditional physics - mechanics, heat, electromagnetism, waves, optics & electronics, modern physics. In addition, relevant modules in mathematics are provided and the student can chose an optional module. The third and fourth year focus on Nuclear Technology as well as core Physics. The Physic topics covered include atomic, nuclear and particle physics, special relativity, quantum mechanics, solid-state physics, electromagnetism and thermodynamics. Modules relating to Nuclear Technology include a Modules devoted to Imaging and Nuclear Medicine in third year, and Research Topics in Nuclear Physics and applications of Nuclear Physics in fourth year.

In the final year students perform project work in the nuclear-physics research group, or with a relevant project in one of the other UWS Physics research groups. Alternatively students may be able to carry out a placement in a local company. In this research-related feature of the delivery students should be able to gain a high degree of independence throughout their studies.

As such all Modules promote the evaluation of results and comparison with theoretical predictions or published data. The delivery of the programme is carried out by traditional lectures and laboratories. Small size tutorial classes are used to unfold learning outcomes and engender staff/student discussions. After graduation, students will be able to pursue scientific careers in the form of MSc or PhD qualifications. The student may start a career in the nuclear industry; this may be employment directly in the nuclear-power industry, or in one of the related sectors. Knowledge of Physics with specialist knowledge in the areas of Nuclear Technology will allow graduates to gain a competitive edge in the current competitive job market, especially since a successful sandwich-placement will give the student valuable experience in the nuclear industry or a related sector.

Teaching and learning methods employed on this programme include lectures, tutorial and problem classes, laboratory classes, project work, computer aided learning, textbooks, journals, and online resources including the Blackboard virtual learning environment. Assessment methods include examinations, essays, coursework, project reports, oral presentations, and problem sheets. Students are required to undertake significant amounts of self-study and independent learning in each module and assessment is via a mixture of coursework and final examination. Additional Contact Time All Physics staff practise an “open door policy” with regard to additional contact time for students. Small group tutorials are scheduled at all Levels in order to encourage student-staff interaction. A guideline to the content of the tutorials is presented below, level-by-level. Level 7: Tutorials are focussed on core scientific problems and a general introduction of students into Higher Education. Development of PDP skills such as critical evaluation of scientific concepts, mathematical and scientific skills, time management and core concepts of e-learning are also important. An introduction to core university regulations (e.g. plagiarism) is also provided. Level 8: Tutorials are focussed on problem solving, literature review and scientific writing, including an introduction to e-learning facilities in the university and the internet, and a continuation of PDP skills. Level 9: Tutorials will have a focus on advanced topics of modern physics, report writing and information retrieval using e-environment of university. Preparation for honours project-work is implicit. Advice and discussion of possible placement options can be given at this stage. PDP skills continue to develop, for example a discussion of interview skills. Level 10: Time can be scheduled for discussion of the project work. Contact time can be used for project one-to-one supervision and an introduction in specialist high-level aspects of PDP (e.g. career and small-finance planning). The normal period of registration for the BSc(Hons) Physics with Nuclear Technology programme is four years. Students should refer to Section 5.4 of the UWS Regulatory Framework for regulations regarding duration of study and authorised interruptions.

Graduate Attributes, Employability & Personal Development Planning

Employability skills can be summarized as: a high level of technological expertise geared towards problem solving and project progress, numeracy, literacy, transferable skills with regard to computer use, project leadership, team work and management of peers, dissemination of scientific results. Graduates will have specialized knowledge and skills in the area of Nuclear Technology in addition to core Physics.

Timetabled PDP activities will be associated with some of the core modules in the programme, such as PHYS07005 Skills for Physics in first year, and PHYS10003 Project and Professional Skills in fourth year.

The employability skills which students will gain during the sandwich placement will be those identified by The Council for Industry and Higher Education (CIHE) (2006) as the key competencies which employers value as defined below.

Cognitive Skills (attention to detail, analysis and judgement)

Demonstrate the use of their knowledge, understanding the skills, in both identifying and analysing problems and issues and formulating, evaluations and applying evidence-based solutions and arguments; undertake critical analysis, evaluation and/or synthesis of ideas, concepts information and issued; identify and analyse routine professional problems and issues; draw on a range of sources in making judgements

Generic competencies (planning & organisation, influencing, written communication, questioning, listening, teamwork, interpersonal sensitivity, organisation sensitivity and lifelong learning and development)

Well developed skills for the gathering, evaluation, analysis and presentation of information, ideas, concepts and quantitative and/or qualitative data, drawing on a wide range of current sources. This will include the use of ICT as appropriate to the subject; Communication of the results of their own and other work accurately and reliably in a range of different contents using the main specialist concepts, constructs and techniques of the subject; Identifying and addressing their own learning needs including being able to draw on a range of current research, development and professional materials; Interpreting, using and evaluating numerical and graphical data to achieve goals targets; Making formal and informal presentations on standard/mainstream topics in the subject/discipline to a range of audiences; Work under guidance with qualified practitioners; Practice in ways which take account of own and others’ roles and responsibilities; Take some responsibility for the work or others and for a range of resources.

Personal capabilities (creativity, decisiveness, initiative, adaptability/flexibility, achievement orientation, tolerance for stress and leadership)

Application of their subject and transferable skills to contexts where criteria for decisions and the scope of the task may be well defined but where personal responsibility, initiative and decision-making is also required; Exercising autonomy and initiative in some activities at a professional level.

Technical Ability (knowledge of key trends in modern technology and experience of using modern technology)

Use of a range of IT applications to support and enhance work.

Practical and professional elements (professional expertise, process operation and image)

Show familiarity and competence in the use of routine materials, practices and skills and of a few that are more specialised, advanced and complex; practise in a range of professional level contexts which include a degree of unpredictability; deal with ethical and professional issued in accordance with current professional and/or ethical codes or practices, seeking guidance where appropriate.
 

We have defined a set of Graduate Attributes that are the skills, personal qualities and understanding to be developed through your university experience that will prepare for life and work in the 21st century (https://www.uws.ac.uk/current-students/your-graduate-attributes/). The Graduate Attributes relevant to this module are listed below.

Academic: critical thinker; analytical; inquiring; knowledgeable; digitally literate; problem solver; autonomous; incisive; innovative

Personal: effective communicator; influential; motivated

Professional: collaborative; research-minded; enterprising; ambitious; driven

Work Based Learning/Placement Details

All students on the programme will take the 40-credit point Module at Level 10 (4th year) entitled Project and Professional Skills. Students will have the opportunity to carry out their projects outside of the university at, for example, local relevant companies or hospitals.This will provide the opportunity for credit-bearing work-related learning.

Students on the BSc (Hons) (Sandwich) Physics with Nuclear Technology will have the opportunity for a one-year placement in industry or a research institution in the UK or abroad. The Physics staff will be happy to initiate contacts with known providers of sandwich placements. Details will depend on the chosen project.

The sandwich placement is primarily designed for students to gain work experience. The experience may also contribute towards meeting the membership requirements of a professional body. Students carrying out a sandwich placement are required to continue their PDP programme and to maintain a portfolio from which they will be required to produce a comprehensive “learning log report” charting their development during placement. This is assessed on a pass/fail basis only with the majority of ongoing assessment being formative in nature. The student will be required, through reflection,
to explore their own role within their placement organisation and to take account of the roles and responsibilities of themselves and others in the context of the structure in which they operate. On successful completion of the placement, the student will be more employable as a result of having developed their ability to integrate essential generic skills and attributes with subject-related knowledge.

The placement will be governed by a tripartite learning agreement between the student, placement provider and the university. The agreement will define the learning outcomes and confirm elements of support and commitment from all parties. The agreement will be signed by each party prior to the start of the placement and it is expected that Schools will continue to use their existing placement systems for the management of such agreements.

Learning Outcomes

At the end of the placement the student will be able to:

• L1 Critically relate elements of the placement work experience to the main themes and issues of academic student of physics relevant within the workplace and be confident in articulating this to others.

• L2 Analyse organisational cultures and structures with particular relevance to the current workplace and exhibit the ability to critically evaluate employee roles in an applied setting.

• L3 Recognise, critically assess and be able to clearly demonstrate to others the personal development and application of essential employability skills and attributes within a real work situation.

Assessment

Assessment will be based on pass/fail only and all assessment elements must be passed for progression as part of the Sandwich programme. Assignments will be open to external examiners in accordance with university regulations.

In order to submit for assessment students need to:

• Attend the workplace(s) in which they have been placed for a minimum total of 36 weeks (180 full working days) and have their employer(s) confirm their attendance.

• Receive a satisfactory assessment of work performance from their workplace supervisor(s) and academic tutor (based on two interviews and other evidence as required).

• Maintain a PDP portfolio and use this to submit a satisfactory “learning log report” reflecting on the placement experience (minimum 2,000 words).

• Successfully complete a subject related project (minimum 3,000 words or equivalent).

Where a student’s sandwich placement is made up of two separate planned periods of work experience (i.e. a “Thin Sandwich”), the PDP portfolio report and subject related report will normally be submitted and assessed during the second period of placement.

Assessment of the first period of placement will relate to satisfactory performance in the workplace.

Extenuating circumstances will be taken into consideration in accordance with University regulations.

Reassessment

• Minimum period in work: It is essential that the student completes at least 36 weeks (180 working days) in employment. If the student does not meet this minimum requirement then they cannot pass the placement.

• Catch up: Where through no fault of their own a student has been unable to attain at least 36 weeks placement experience they will be entitled to secure the additional work experience required through a suitable additional period of work experience provided this is agreed in advance with the Programme Team.

• Retake of Placement: a repeat or alternative placement will only be considered on health or other mitigating grounds or where the placement is terminated due to no fault of the student. In such cases the student will receive counselling from the placement tutor on how best to proceed.

• Satisfactory Performance: The first interview will be used to assess the student’s progress. If it is considered that the student’s performance is less than expected at that stage, the student will be advised of this and of the elements of their performance that need to improve. If the student’s performance is assessed as unsatisfactory at the second interview then the student will be given further advice on the steps they need to take to achieve a satisfactory assessment and will be reassessed through a third interview at the end of their placement period. Interviews will normally be conducted within the workplace unless a suitable alternative method is agreed by all parties.

• Reflective Report from PDP: If the reflective report is unsatisfactory, the student will be given the opportunity to resubmit in line with University regulations.

• Subject related report: If the subject related report is unsatisfactory the student will be given the opportunity to resubmit in line with University regulations.

Progression/Award

• Placement students will be assigned to a specific Subject and Programme Panel.

• The relevant Programme Panel will consider the performance of each sandwich placement student enrolled on that Programme and decide eligibility for reassessment, progression and awards in accordance with University Regulations, in particular Regulation 7.10.4

• A student who fails the sandwich placement after reassessment will no longer be eligible for a “with sandwich” award. They will either progress to level 9 or 10 (as appropriate) of a non-sandwich equivalent programme or exit with an equivalent non-sandwich award.
 

Engagement

In line with the Academic Engagement Procedure, Students are defined as academically engaged if they are regularly engaged with timetabled teaching sessions, course-related learning resources including those in the Library and on the relevant learning platform, and complete assessments and submit these on time.

Equality and Diversity

The University's Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Procedure can be accessed at the following link: UWS Equality and Diversity Policy

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Knowledge and Understanding

Practice - Applied Knowledge and Understanding

Communication, ICT and Numeracy Skills

Generic Cognitive Skills - Problem Solving, Analysis, Evaluation

Autonomy, Accountability and Working With Others

Regulations of Assessment

Candidates will be bound by the general assessment regulations of the University as specified in the University Regulatory Framework.

An overview of the assessment details is provided in the Student Handbook and the assessment criteria for each module is provided in the module descriptor which forms part of the module pack issued to students. For further details on assessment please refer to Chapter 3 of the Regulatory Framework.

To qualify for an award of the University, students must complete all the programme requirements and must meet the credit minima detailed in Chapter 1 of the Regulatory Framework.

Combined Studies

There may be instances where a student has been unsuccessful in meeting the award criteria for the named award and for other more generic named awards existing within the School. Provided that they have met the credit requirements in line with the SCQF credit minima (please see Regulation 1.21), they will be eligible for an exit award of CertHE / DipHE or BA / BSc in Combined Studies.

For students studying BA, BAcc, or BD awards the award will be BA Combined Studies.

For students studying BEng or BSc awards, the award will be BSc Combined Studies.