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PHYS3976: Physics Placement

Please ensure you check the module availability box for each module outline, as not all modules will run in each academic year. Each module description relates to the year indicated in the module availability box, and this may change from year to year, due to, for example: changing staff expertise, disciplinary developments, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Type Tied
Level 3
Credits 120
Availability Available in 2025/2026
Module Cap
Location Durham
Department Physics

Prerequisites

  • None

Corequisites

  • None

Excluded Combinations of Modules

Aims

  • To provide students with the experience of a substantial work placement, which may or may not be abroad, as part of their degree programme

Content

  • Content will be determined in agreement with the placement provider. The placement does not need to be directly related to physics, but it must be related to a STEM subject and it must be sufficiently intellectually challenging. Students are responsible for organising their own placements, and all placement proposals are subject to approval by the departmental placements coordinator.

Learning Outcomes

Subject-specific Knowledge:

  • Dependent on the Placement Provider and role

Subject-specific Skills:

  • Dependent on the Placement Provider and role

Key Skills:

  • The experience of working and/or undergoing practical training in an external company or organisation.
  • For overseas placements, the experience of working and living independently in a foreign country.

Modes of Teaching, Learning and Assessment and how these contribute to the learning outcomes of the module

  • Pre-placement briefing with the departmental placements coordinator to prepare the student for the placement.
  • Regular contact with the departmental placements coordinator during the placement to ensure engagement and progress.
  • Post-placement debriefing to help the student to reflect on the final value of the placement and the skills acquired.
  • Confirmation from the placement provider that the student has engaged with the placement satisfactorily.
  • The module is assessed on a pass/fail basis. Assessment is at threshold level, based on information provided by the placement provider.

Teaching Methods and Learning Hours

ActivityNumberFrequencyDurationTotalMonitored
Placement1200 
Total1200 

Summative Assessment

Component: PlacementComponent Weighting: 100%
ElementLength / DurationElement WeightingResit Opportunity
Practicaln/a100

Formative Assessment

More information

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