2022/23 Taught Postgraduate Module Catalogue

HPSC5171M Topics in the Philosophy of Physics

30 creditsClass Size: 50

Module manager: Dr Juha Saatsi
Email: j.t.saatsi@leeds.ac.uk

Taught: Semester 1 (Sep to Jan) View Timetable

Year running 2022/23

Pre-requisite qualifications

Postgraduate standing or permission of the Director of Philosophy MA Programmes

Module replaces

HPSC5170M History and Philosophy of Modern Physics

This module is not approved as an Elective

Module summary

If the module recruits three or fewer students, it will be delivered via 3 hours of supervision with the module leader (instead of the format specified below).

Objectives

On completion of this module, students should be able to:

- Demonstrate a familiarity with certain contemporary issues in the philosophy of modern physics.
- Exhibit an ability to critically analyse views regarding these issues and articulate and defend their own.

Syllabus

This module will provide detailed discussions of recent issues in the philosophy of physics. Topics covered may include: the various interpretations of quantum mechanics; the measurement problem; non-separability and entanglement in quantum physics; the metaphysics of quantum particles; the nature of quantum information; the foundations of space-time theory; the substantivalist-relationist debate in the context of relativistic space-time; the hole argument; determinism and indeterminism in modern physics.

Teaching methods

Delivery type	Number	Length hours	Student hours
Office Hour Discussions	2	0.50	1.00
Lecture	11	1.00	11.00
Tutorial	10	1.00	10.00
Private study hours			278.00
Total Contact hours			22.00
Total hours (100hr per 10 credits)			300.00

Private study

8 hours per seminar reading - 88 hours
Further reading - 89 hours
Essay Preparation - 100 hours

Opportunities for Formative Feedback

Seminar performance/discussion and feedback on a 1000-word essay plan.

Methods of assessment

Coursework

Assessment type	Notes	% of formal assessment
Essay	5000 word essay	100.00
Total percentage (Assessment Coursework)		100.00

Normally resits will be assessed by the same methodology as the first attempt, unless otherwise stated

Reading list

The reading list is available from the Library website

Last updated: 29/04/2022 15:26:26

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