UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL LANCASHIRE
Programme Specification
This Programme Specification provides a concise summary of the main features of the programme
and the learning outcomes that a typical student might reasonably be expected to achieve and
demonstrate if he/she takes full advantage of the learning opportunities that are provided.
Sources of information on the programme can be found in Section 17
1. Awarding Institution / Body
University of Central Lancashire
2. Teaching Institution and Location
of Delivery
University of Central Lancashire
Preston main campus
3. University School/Centre
School of Physical Sciences and Computing
4. External Accreditation
None
5. Title of Final Award
BSc (Hons) Physics (Foundation Entry)
(non-award-bearing programme: initial stage of 4 year
degree course)
Full-time
6. Modes of Attendance offered
7. UCAS Code
8. Relevant Subject Benchmarking
Group(s)
Physics: Institute of Physics (IoP)
Physics A-Level / Mathematics A-Level
9. Other external influences
10. Date of production/revision of this
form
October 2015
11. Aims of the Programme
This programme aims to:
 supply the necessary expertise and experience required for students to enter the BSc (Hons)
Physics (and related degree schemes) at Level 4, where they do not already possess the
necessary formal (Level 3) qualifications to do so.
 provide students with a background and experience in physics at Level 3 that is
commensurate with that expected of a student who has fulfilled the physics entry
requirements (nominally A2 level) for the BSc (Hons) in Physics and/or Astrophysics
 provide students with a background and experience in mathematical methods at Level 3 that
is commensurate with that expected of a student who fulfilled the mathematics entry
requirements (nominally A2 level) for the BSc (Hons) in Physics and/or Astrophysics
 provide students with a range of skills necessary to study physics at a degree level.
12. Learning Outcomes, Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
A. Knowledge and Understanding
A1. Describe and explain at a basic level (3) the fundamental laws of physics.
A2. Describe and explain the basics of mathematics and calculus at level 3.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures accompanied by extensive tutorials. Guided study using worked examples and background
material from the core course texts. Laboratory experiments designed to reinforce material from the
lectures.
Feedback on assessed and unassessed work.
Assessment methods
Examinations (end of year and mid-seminar tests), monitoring of required exercises, laboratory
logbooks and reports.
B. Subject-specific skills
B1. Solve physics problems at Level 3 using appropriate mathematical methods and diagrams.
B2. Solve simple mathematical and calculus problems at Level 3.
B3. Perform simple physics experiments using appropriate techniques and apparatus.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures accompanied by extensive tutorials. Guided study using worked examples and background
material from the core course texts. Laboratory classes will be run in the second semester involving
pre-laboratory preparation, the performance of experiments drawn from the physics syllabus, and the
recording of results.
Feedback on assessed and unassessed work.
Assessment methods
Examinations (end of year and mid-seminar tests), monitoring of required exercises, laboratory
logbooks and reports. Reports and presentations.
C. Thinking Skills
C1. Distinguish between different physical and mathematical problems and choose the appropriate
method to solve them.
C2. The ability to take a physical problem, set up a mathematical equation appropriate to the
problem, and then solve it.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Lectures accompanied by extensive tutorials. Guided study using worked examples and background
material from the core course texts.
Feedback on assessed and unassessed work.
Assessment methods
Examinations (end of year and mid-seminar tests), monitoring of required exercises, laboratory
logbooks and reports.
D. Other skills relevant to employability and personal development
D1. Manage own learning, making optimum use of appropriate texts and learning materials.
D2. Time management and the ability to meet deadlines.
D3. Real world problem solving skills.
D4. Recognising laboratory work place hazards and risks.
Teaching and Learning Methods
Risk assessments are an integral part of the laboratory and project work. Problem solving and real
world skills are developed via the need to maintain a satisfactory
Feedback on assessed and unassessed work.
Assessment methods
Formal scientific reports for laboratory work and projects. Presentations.
13. Programme Structures
14. Awards and Credits
Level
Module
Code
Module Title
Credit
rating
3
APC801
Foundations of Applied
Physics
20
3
APC802
Motion, Forces, and Force
Fields
20
3
APC803
The Road to Quantum
Mechanics
20
3
MAC801
Foundation Mathematics 1
15
3
MAC802
Foundation Mathematics 2
15
3
MAC803
Foundation Mathematics 3
15
3
MAC804
Foundation Mathematics 4
15
BSc (Hons) Physics (Foundation
Entry) provides a
progression route to year 1 of the
MPhys (Hons) / BSc (Hons) Physics
(or related specialism) with 120
credits and an average mark of at least
60%. Progression for students with an
average mark between 50-60% will be
at the discretion of the assessment
board. This reflects the expectation that
students will continue to develop higher
level physics and mathematics skills as
the core requirement for progression to
the final degree award.
Alternatively, students may opt for
progression on to Year 1 of the BSc
(Hons) Mathematics or programme
provided they fulfil the requirements laid
out in the Programme Specifications for
that course.
Students who exit after successful
completion of 120 credits at Level 3
will receive a transcript of the
modules and grades
15. Personal Development Planning
Students coming onto the course will be accustomed to a highly prescriptive taught regime. The
Foundation Year is designed to lead a student from this method of study on a regime where they are
in charge of their own learning as an independent learner, thereby preparing the students for entry
on to a BSc or degree scheme.
16. Admissions criteria
Programme Specifications include minimum entry requirements, including academic qualifications,
together with appropriate experience and skills required for entry to study. These criteria may be
expressed as a range rather than a specific grade. Amendments to entry requirements may have
been made after these documents were published and you should consult the University’s website for
the most up to date information.
Students will be informed of their personal minimum entry criteria in their offer letter.
This programme is partly tailored towards students who have taken a non-traditional path to highereducation. We embrace a flexible set of entry criteria in the recognition that many applicants will not
necessarily possess the “right piece” of paper or formal academic evidence of their skills. Our
applicants are envisaged to include mature students returning to education, school leavers who were
misadvised on their A-Level choices, or other students who have otherwise just missed the nominal
BSc (Hons) or BEng (Hons) entry requirements. We thus welcome applications from mature students
and those with non-standard entry qualifications.
It is recognised that these candidates may not possesses a normal UCAS points tariff. They will,
nevertheless, be expected to demonstrate some aptitude, interest, and awareness of physics and
mathematics. Preference will be given towards candidates who demonstrate a strong interest in the
study area.
Flexible entry means that we are happy to consider candidates with a range of different qualifications,
e.g. GCSE, BTEC, college Foundation courses, etc. Nevertheless, applicants must demonstrate that
they are capable of achieving a suitable academic standard. For example, for students using GCSEs
to support their application we would request the equivalent of grade C or above in Single Science or
Combined Science. Each application will be assessed on it individual merits.
Candidates should comply with the usual UCLan entry regulations as set out in Section E of the
Academic Regulations. Specifically, section E.2.4.1 -- proficiency in English equivalent to or greater
than IELTS Level 6. Additionally UCLan entry regulations say candidates for the degree must thus
possess the equivalent of grade C or above GCSEs in English and Maths.
17. Key sources of information about the programme


UCLan website: www.uclan.ac.uk
Course factsheet and Student Handbook
18. Curriculum Skills Map
Please tick in the relevant boxes where individual Programme Learning Outcomes are being assessed
Programme Learning Outcomes
Core (C),
Compulsory
Module
(COMP) or
Knowledge and
Subject-specific
Level Code
Module Title
Option (O)
understanding
Skills
Thinking Skills
LEVEL 3
A1
Foundations of Applied
APC801
Physics
Motion, Forces, and Force
APC802
Fields
The Road to Quantum
APC803
Mechanics
MAC801 Foundation Mathematics 1
MAC802 Foundation Mathematics 2
MAC803 Foundation Mathematics 3
MAC804 Foundation Mathematics 4
A2
A3
A4
B1
B2
B3
B4
C1
C2
X
Other skills relevant
to employability and
personal
development
D1
D2
D3
D4
X
X
X
X
X
C3
C4
COMP
X
X
COMP
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
COMP
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
COMP
COMP
COMP
COMP
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X
X