Module – Foundation IT and Study Skills

FHEQ Level: Level 3 (Foundation Year)
Credits: 20
Module Code: F300 00018
Course Reference Number (CRN): 50159
Delivery: September Start, Trimesters 1&2 (Long Thin)

Syllabus Outline

• Dimension and units
• Dimensional analysis
• The importance of estimation in scientific calculations
• Scientific notation
• Solving scientific problems
• Graph plotting
• Your skills and planning for a career
• Measurements and errors
• Writing a laboratory report
• Revision: How to revise effectively
• Wolframalpha and how to solve simultaneous equations etc.
• Excel spreadsheets – formulae, plotting and computer simulation

Assessment

Coursework: Core physics skills, 50%
Coursework: IT skills, 50%
More detailed information may be found in the Assessments section.

Texts

A-level Physics for AQA. Coordination Group Publications Ltd (CGP), 2020

Cottrell, S. The Study Skills Handbook Third Edition, Palgrave, 2008

Further updates and supplementary texts may be found in the University Reading Lists system.

Description

​This module concentrates on the underlying skills required in science and engineering. The importance of units, dimensional analysis, problem solving, presentation skills and the use of scientific IT will be introduced and put into context. Students will be given the opportunity to consider their future employment options and what will be required to achieve their goals. The relationship between the various aspects of this module and their role to scientists and engineers in the workplace will be highlighted.

Aims

1. To develop IT skills and their use in a scientific context.
2. To develop core scientific skills.
3. To develop skills in presentation and scientific reporting.

Knowledge & Understanding

On successful completion of this module, you will be able to:

1. Demonstrate key IT skills in scientific context.
2. Demonstrate the use of key core scientific skills.
3. Demonstrate communication through written and oral means.

Learning, Teaching and Assessment

A mix of formal teaching, seminars, presentations, problem solving, and group work will allow you to gain experience of a full range of learning strategies. Assessments will be directed to be inclusive of these strategies and will address the areas outlined in the module description.

Relevant parts of the University’s UniSkills programme will be used to help you learn and understand how best to approach revision, report writing etc.

Formative tests, which are applied throughout the module, will guide the next steps in instructions and help identify learning needs to ensure success. These will lead to the final summative coursework assessments at the end of each trimester.