Module Information

Module Identifier
PH12910
Module Title
Physics Career Planning and Skills Development
Academic Year
2019/2020
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Mutually Exclusive
FG12910, MT12910, MP12910
Pre-Requisite
Entry requirements for honours Physics degree scheme
Other Staff

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Workshop 7 x 2 Hour Workshops
Lecture 13 x 1 Hour Lectures
Tutorial 4 x 1 Hour Tutorials
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Spreadsheet  25%
Semester Assessment Macro Programming  25%
Semester Assessment Group Poster  15%
Semester Assessment CV Document  15%
Semester Assessment Individual Talk  20%
Supplementary Assessment Repeat failed component(s)  100%

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Analyse data using a spreadsheet to perform calculations and apply macros.
2. Produce summaries and charts of the data in the spreadsheet analysis.
3. Apply software packages to prepare documents for presentation to a wide range of audiences.
4. Identify careers for Physicists and skills required for future employment.
5. Explain a topic in Physics in an oral presentation.

Brief description

This module introduces the students to a range of software packages: word-processing software, presentation software, spreadsheets and macro programming. It uses ideas in mathematics and physics to illustrate uses of the software and skills in the workplace.

Within the module the Careers Service provides a skills awareness programme as guidance for preparing job applications. Working in teams, students research careers available to graduates in Physics and using the software introduced produce a poster on their findings. Students also prepare and deliver a short presentation on a topic in Physics on individual basis.

Content

Word-processing packages (such as Word, Latex): introduction, documents, formatting, mathematical expressions, bibliographical references.

Spreadsheets (such as Excel): overview, entering and formatting information, formulae and functions, manipulating, visualising a (large) dataset, macro programming.

Presentation packages (such as Powerpoint): for posters and for individual talks.

Skills awareness programme by the Careers Service, demonstrating how to prepare documents such as an introductory letter or CV.

Group poster to highlight careers available to Physicists and the skills acquired for these.

Individual presentation on a topic in Physics.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Numerical concepts and techniques with spreadsheet and macros.
Communication Written communication in assignments. Oral communication in the presentations.
Improving own Learning and Performance Encouraged throughout this skills-development module.
Information Technology A variety of computer packages are used in the module.
Personal Development and Career planning The module highlights the importance of personal development and career planning and includes the preparation of a CV document.
Problem solving Problem solving skills are applied in the spreadsheet and macro programming assignments and for the presentation of a topic in Physics.
Research skills Research skills are applied to investigate a topic in Physics and careers in Physics.
Subject Specific Skills Programming through macro programming in Excel. Problem solving in physics for the individual presentations.
Team work Poster assignment is a group-work activity.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 4