BSc Philosophy and Physics

Year 1

(Award available for year: Certificate of Higher Educ)

Learning outcomes

On completion of the year/programme students should have provided evidence of being able to:
a) Demonstrate a basic knowledge of common physical laws and principles, and some applications of these principles;
b) Identify relevant principles and laws when dealing with problems;
c) Manipulate numerical and other quantitative information, and apply manipulative skills to the solution of problems;
d) Execute an experiment and evaluate the level of uncertainty in results;
e) Communicate in writing the results of their work or other scientific information;
f) Recognise the formal structures underlying valid arguments;
g) Demonstrate a basic knowledge of philosophy within some of the main areas of the discipline, including epistemology, ethics, metaphysics, philosophy of mind and science;
h) Demonstrate a basic knowledge of the nature of philosophical thought and methodology;
i) Demonstrate a basic ability to express their own views, and appreciate their strengths and weaknesses as learners.

Transferable (key) skills

Students will have had the opportunity to acquire, as defined in the modules specified for the programme:
> Qualities and transferable skills necessary for employment (Communication both written and verbal, Problem solving, Ability to assess arguments, Ability to evaluate competing interpretations, Ability to construct and defend their own view, Ability to work with others, and Use of IT);
> Skills necessary for the exercising of personal responsibility (Learning to Learn, Ability to organise time and submit work to deadlines, Awareness of their own strengths and weaknesses).

Assessment

Achievement will be assessed by a variety of methods in accordance with the learning outcomes of the modules specified for the year/programme and will include:
1. Demonstrating the knowledge and application of standard concepts, information and techniques relevant to physics;
2. Demonstrating emerging abilities, skills and competencies in physics;
3. Demonstrating knowledge and application of standard philosophical concepts, theories and methodology (such as basic argument forms);
4. Demonstrating a basic understanding of some of the main areas of philosophy (typically epistemology, ethics, metaphysics, philosophy of mind and science, and selected major philosophical thinkers);
5. Demonstrating emerging philosophical abilities, skills and competencies (to articulate and defend their own view, and apply key tools of philosophical analysis).