External summary

Physics is the fundamental human endeavour to understand the structure and evolution of the universe. Its scope runs from quarks and leptons, the smallest fragments of the universe, through the material world we perceive directly with our senses, and on to stars and galaxies, and the origins and fate of the universe itself. Music is a creative and a performing art, the subject of cultural, historical and analytical study and itself a phenomenon open to scientific investigation. Our aim is to guide you through this territory; to share with you our enthusiasm for it; and to equip you with a range of thinking and practical skills which you will need if your subsequent career is in Physics or Music, and which you will value even if it is not.

Studying Physics and Music at Edinburgh allows student to develop:

• Knowledge and understanding of the physical and musical worlds and the underlying mathematical and conceptual methodologies used to describe them;
• Knowledge of frontier activities capitalising on the strengths of a thriving and diverse research environment;
• The attitude of mind conducive to critical questioning and creative thinking and the capacity to formulate ideas mathematically and musically, and to explore them algebraically, graphically, numerically as well as in words and music ;
• An understanding of laboratory experimentation and critical evaluation of experimental data;
• An understanding of the scientific and acoustic principles underlying music and the instruments on which it is performed.
• The skills required for employment in science or music-based industry, education and the wide spectrum of professions calling for numerate problem-solvers with a broad contextual understanding.

Educational aims of programme

The educational aims of the Physics and Music programme at Edinburgh are:

• To provide a degree programme with flexibility and choice, accommodating a range of entrance qualifications and experience;
• To provide a thorough grounding in the fundamental principles underpinnings of physics and music;
• To provide a thorough grounding in experimental techniques and the critical analysis of experimental data;
• To explore specific Western and non-Western music repertories and bring a wide range of approaches to this study: aural, historical, analytical, critical, ethnographic, social, physical and technological;
• To provide exposure to frontier activities, capitalising on the strengths of a thriving and diverse research environment in Edinburgh;
• To provide a balanced training in the methodologies of modern physics with opportunities for specialisation;
• To develop general transferable skills related to IT & computing, problem-solving and communication;
• To provide a platform for employment in science or music-based industry, education and the wide spectrum of professions calling for numerate problem-solvers with a broad contextual understanding

Programme outcomes: Knowledge and understanding

By engaging with and completing a degree in Physics and Music, graduates will acquire knowledge and understanding of:       

• The core knowledge base of physics comprising: Newtonian Dynamics; Quantum Mechanics; Special Relativity; Electromagnetism & Optics; Thermodynamics and Statistical Mechanics; Atomic, Nuclear & Particle Physics; Condensed Matter Physics;
• The physical basis of sound, of musical instruments and of electronic sound synthesis;
• The cultural, social and historical context of music as a human practice;
• A balanced training in the methodologies of modern theoretical and experimental physics.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in research and enquiry

The degree programme aims to develop:

• An attitude of mind conducive to critical questioning and creative thinking;
• The capacity to formulate ideas mathematically and explore them algebraically, graphically, and numerically;
• The ability to harness these skills in tandem with the core knowledge base to solve problems;
• The ability to interpret and engage in music as an auditory and social phenomenon;
• The ability to assimilate and evaluate advanced literature from a range of diverse sources;
• The ability to analyse experimental data critically and to compare mathematical or computational predictions.

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal and intellectual autonomy

The degree programme aims to develop:

• Disposition to approach unfamiliar situations with a spirit of critical enquiry;
• The ability to formulate a physical or musical problem using the appropriate mathematical, conceptual or experimental methodologies

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in communication

The degree programme aims to develop:     

• The skills to formulate a coherent written and oral presentation based on material gathered and organised independently on a given physics topic;
• The skills to formulate a mathematical or conceptual argument or to analyse experimental data and to communicate these effectively to peers and educators;
• The capacity to function effectively as a member or leader of a team working towards joint a joint report and presentation

Programme outcomes: Graduate attributes - Skills and abilities in personal effectiveness

The degree programme aims to develop:

• The ability to collaborate effectively and productively with others in the process of inquiry and learning including those with a range of backgrounds and knowledge;
• The ability to organise their own independent learning to an effective schedule;
• The commitment to manage time effectively, utilise resources and meet deadlines;

Programme outcomes: Technical/practical skills

The degree programme aims to develop:

• Confident facility with general IT resources (WWW for learning and information retrieval; e-mail and bulletin boards for communication; word-processing for document preparation);
• Facility with the Unix operating system;
• Scientific programming skills in Java;
• Numerical programming and computer simulation techniques;
• Computer algebra and symbolic manipulation;
• Ability to analyse experimental data and assess what can be inferred from it in the light of theoretical expectations and experimental uncertainties;
• Ability to read and interpret music notation.

Programme structure and features

The programme structure is a full time, 480pt Scottish Bachelors with Honours with entry at first or second year level and is fully compliant with the University’s Curriculum Framework and Scottish Qualification Framework.

First Year

Total of 120pt of courses, normally at SCQF Level 8.

Specified courses are:

OR:

• Music 1D [20pt]                                                                       SCQF Level 8

Progression requires 120pt of courses from first year. By concession 40pt of courses may be carried but must not include specified courses.

Second Year

Total of 120pt of courses, normally at SCQF Level 8

 Specified courses are:

40 pts from:

• Music 2A [20pt]                                                                       SCQF Level 8
• Music 2B [20pt]                                                                       SCQF Level 8
• Music 2C [20pt]                                                                       SCQF Level 8
• Music 2D [20pt]                                                                       SCQF Level 8

Progression requires 120pt of courses from second year. By concession 40pt of courses may be carried but must not include specified courses.

Direct Entry in to Second Year is not currently permitted on this programme.

Junior Honours (Third Year)

Total of 120pt of courses, normally at Level 9 or 10

Specified Courses are:

Progression requires 120pt of courses at first sit. Student obtaining 120pt after August re-sits are eligible for Physics BSc (Ord) degree.

Junior Honours (Third Year) from September 2013

Total of 120pt of courses, normally at Level 9

Specified courses are:

Progression requires 120pt of courses at first sit. Student obtaining 120pt after August re-sits are eligible for Physics BSc (Ord) degree.

Senior Honours (Fourth Year)

Total of 120pt of courses, normally at Level 10 or 11

Specified Courses are:

Progression requires 120pt of courses at first sit. Student obtaining 120pt of courses at first sit are by concession permitted to graduate with BSc Honours.

Senior Honours (Fourth Year) from September 2014*

Total of 120pt of courses, normally at Level 10 or 11

Specified Courses are:

• Relativity, Nuclear and Particle Physics [20pt]                      SCQF Level 10

Either:

• Senior Honours Project [20pt]                                                SCQF Level 10

Or:

• Science Education Placement in Physics [20pt]                    SCQF Level 10

Or:

• Dissertation in Music [40pt]                                                     SCQF Level 10
• 40pt free choice from Schedule P and Q at Level 10/11. Additional courses from other schedules subject to approval.

Progression requires 120pt of courses at first sit. Student obtaining 120pt of courses at first sit are by concession permitted to graduate with BSc Honours.

*This is the proposed structure still under discussion within the School.

Classification of Honours

Honours classification is determined on the 240pt of courses taken in Junior Honours, and Senior Honours year with years weighted on a 50:50 basis. Classification is based on the University Common Marking Scheme.

Equality and Diversity

Teaching and learning methods and strategies

The bulk of the teaching programme is conducted through lectures; the class sizes vary from about 250 in pre-honours courses to about 5 in Senior Honours optional courses. This teaching is supported through tutorial sessions and supervised workshops in which students work in groups of about 5; and through study resources generally delivered through WWW. These resources vary in extent and character; they invariably include a detailed syllabus, reading list and problem-set; in some instances they incorporate substantial multimedia material including self-tests and illustrative simulations. First years and Fast Track specific courses offer extensive student support to assist the transition into higher education and develop independent learning skills. These include the use of an in-lecture feedback system, peer assisted learning, tailored problem sheets and extensive student – tutor feedback in extended workshops classes. Computing/IT courses are conducted through supervised sessions in dedicated teaching laboratories in groups of 10-50. Team Projects typically involve teams of about 5 students working largely autonomously.

Assessment methods and strategies

Each course has its own assessment criteria appropriate to the specified Learning Objects of the course as detailed in the on-line course specification. All courses are assessed using the University Common Marking Scheme. Typical modes of assessment through the programme are detailed below:

Pre-Honours: (first and second year)

Lecture based physics and mathematics courses are assessed by end of course written unseen examinations with typical weight of 80% being augmented by weekly hand-in assignments typically weighted at 20%. These are marked throughout the semester and returned with feedback comments typically within 10 days of submission. All semester 1 pre-honours lecture based courses offered examination feedback workshops as the start of semester 2 where student can view their marked scripts and receive personal feedback from the course staff. Class performance and common error feedback on semester 2 examinations are supplied via the School intranet.

Practical and computing classes are assigned by continuous assessment either via written submitted reports, laboratory notebooks or, for computing classes, specified checkpoints assessed by during the assigned workshop classes. All submitted reports and notebooks are returned with written feedback, and students receive verbal feedback and advice on computer checkpoints from the assessors.

Honours:

Lecture based physics and mathematics courses are mainly assessed by either end of course, or end of year written unseen examinations. Core courses at Junior Honours are augmented by periodic hand-ins with a typical weight of 10% which are marked throughout the course are returned as with written feedback. The reduction in frequency and weight of these hand-ins compared to pre-honours encouraged students to take responsibility for their own learning and time management. In courses with no course work students are encouraged to attempt course questions in advance and seek feedback on their work at the course workshops/tutorials. All students have access to their marked examination scripts via the School Teaching Office.

Career opportunities

The BSc programme offers the preparation for a research career in physics or music either via further academic study, typically towards a PhD or via industrial research. In addition a wide range of employers recognise that Physics and Music graduates have advanced problem-solving skills and the ability to think logically and critically about complex situations. Add this to a high level of mathematical ability, computing and IT proficiency, broad cultural grounding and communication skills in written, oral and online media, and Physics graduates have opportunities in a diverse range of careers. Some of our recent graduates have gone on to jobs with Google, the European Space Agency, the BBC, IBM, and a variety of other organizations, and a significant number of new graduates form their own start-up companies.

Other items

Personal Tutors

Each student is assigned a Personal Tutor who provides both academic and pastoral guidance.  Throughout a student's time at the university the Personal Tutor guides the student in choice of courses and provides general support. Courses are administered and run through the Teaching Organisation in the School.  These produce detailed online course guides for new students and for continuing students.  These guides provide details of courses and also advise students on assessment and general university policy and regulations.