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PHY-20047 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 16 September 2026

PHY-20047 - Practical and Professional Skills for Physics
Coordinator: Barry Smalley Room: LJ2.05 Tel: +44 1782 7 34229
Lecture Time:
Level: Level 5
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734921

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

You will build upon the practical laboratory skills developed at level 4, extending your abilities to plan, execute and communicate scientifically. You will compile a comprehensive portfolio of the essential skills required by professional physicists by using more advanced recording, analysis and interpretation of measurements, and presentation of results. You will work on individual experiments and team investigations to prepare you for level 6 research projects and to confidently and safely work in any physics laboratory.

Aims
This module aims to build upon practical laboratory skills developed at level 4, by extending students' abilities to plan, execute, and communicate scientifically. Students will work on individual experiments and team investigations, compile a comprehensive portfolio of essential skills required by professional physicists and utilize advanced recording, analysis, and interpretation of measurements.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Execute experiments with rigour and precision, adhering to safety and ethical guidelines: 1,2
Work collaboratively in teams to conduct investigations, sharing responsibilities and integrating diverse perspectives: 3
Analyse and interpret data using appropriate statistical and computational methods and specialised software: 1,3
Communicate scientific findings effectively and professionally: 1,2,3
Maintain a detailed and accurate record of all experimental procedures, measurements, and results: 2

Study hours

Active Learning Hours:
72 hours laboratory sessions
Independent Study Hours:
20 individual laboratory report
20 group report
20 portfolio
18 private study

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Report weighted 30%
Laboratory report
A detailed laboratory report describing the execution and results of a semester 1 physics experiment. Equivalent to approximately 1500 words.

2: Portfolio weighted 40%
Laboratory Activities
A collection of professional tasks related to physics, including the continuous assessment of laboratory experiments and associated activities. At the end of Semester 2, students deliver a short (approximately 10-minute) group presentation on the topic of their project. This is equivalent to 2,000 words overall effort.

3: Group Assessment weighted 30%
Group laboratory report
A detailed laboratory report describing the execution and results from a group mini project, including a statement of individual contributions to the experimental work and report. Equivalent to approximately 1500 words. Groups of at least 4. The same mark will be assigned to all group members, but with the proviso that an individual's mark will be reduced if they do not make a significant contribution to the group project.

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: 16 September 2026