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PHY-10038 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 04 December 2025

PHY-10038 - Fundamental and Applied Mathematics for Physics
Coordinator: Daniela Plana Room: LJ1.46 Tel: +44 1782 7 34998
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 4
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 734921

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

A physicist often needs to solve real-world problems presented in many different ways, using mathematics as the language to describe physical phenomena. Here you will learn the art of problem-solving, including mathematical and statistical modelling and the analyses of uncertainty and risk (e.g. error analysis and probability), applying these skills to scenarios focused on linear and rotational mechanics, gravitation and harmonic motion. Regularly working in groups, you will gain valuable employability skills such as teamwork and communication, whilst learning from others and building peer networks.

Aims
This module aims to provide an understanding of mechanics and develop the use of mathematics to solve physical problems. It aims to develop the transferable (including communication and teamwork), problem solving, mathematical, statistical and analytical skills (including error and risk analysis) required by the practicing physicist or astrophysicist.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Apply basic concepts in classical mechanics by solving physical problems. Recall basic knowledge and theories based on taught contents and use these to explain familiar concepts using appropriate terminology.     : 2,3
Develop and use mathematical techniques necessary for solving physical and astrophysical problems, including calculus, vectors, complex numbers and statistics.
: 1,2,3
Formulate and analyse mathematical models of physical phenomena. Apply the statistical techniques of error analysis commonly employed by researchers in the physical sciences.
: 1,2,3
Solve first- and second-order linear differential equations. Use these and other mathematics techniques, including partial differentiation, series and approximations, to solve physical problems.: 1,2,3
Develop teamwork and communication skills, learning from others and building peer networks, through group problem-solving.: 1

Study hours

Active Learning Hours:
Interactive Lectures: 54 h
Tutorials and problem-solving practical sessions: 42 h
Independent Study Hours:
Exams: 2 x 2.5 h = 5 h
Completing assessed exercises: 36 h
Self-Study: 163 h

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Group Assessment weighted 20%
Group-based problem solving
Continuous assessment of group problem-solving in team-based tutorials and practical sessions. Teams will be composed of ~5-8 students, varying with overall cohort size. Marks will be awarded equally for students contributing to specific components; they may vary overall within a team where students do not contribute to all components of the exercises. There is no element of peer-assessment, this will be fully marked by staff on the basis of the work done.

2: Exercise weighted 20%
Problem-solving exercises
A selection of in-class and independent-study tasks and activities, designed to develop and apply the concepts in the module; equivalent to approximately 2500 words combined.

3: Exam weighted 60%
Unseen written examinations
Two 2.5-hour exams worth 100 marks each, consisting of a set of short questions, with no degree of choice, to take place at the end of each semester.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 04 December 2025