Keele Badge

PHY-30027 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

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

PHY-30027 - Data Analysis and Model Testing
Coordinator: Barry Smalley Room: LJ2.05 Tel: +44 1782 7 34229
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
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

Physics and Astrophysics are data-intensive sciences. Using hands-on exercises, you will gain proficiency in using "industry-standard" statistical and modelling techniques for analysing scientific data. Along with an appreciation of the theory underpinning these techniques, you will develop the highly transferable skills required to apply them to real data sets and gain the expertise required to judge which techniques are applicable in any given scenario, and to interpret and present the results.

Aims
To acquire a systematic understanding of statistical analysis methods and apply these techniques to critically evaluate physical/astrophysical data sets from primary sources.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/phy-30027/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate a systematic understanding of statistical techniques used to analyse and interpret scientific data: Have conceptual understanding that enables the student to solve data analysis problems and to interpret scientific data, using statistical ideas and modern analysis techniques: 1
Critically evaluate data from primary sources to make and communicate judgements by applying established numerical analysis techniques to scientific data: 1

Study hours

Active Learning Hours
9 hours lectures/tutorials
18 hours practical classes
9 hours project work
Independent Study Hours
2 class test
24 hours project report writing
88 hours private study and preparation for class test

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Project weighted 50%
Data analysis project report
Application of statistical and numerical methods to a data analysis or interpretation problem informed by developments at the forefront of physics/astrophysics. The methods used and an interpretation of the results to be submitted as a written report, including appropriate tables, graphs, and captions (approximately 2500 words).

2: Class Test weighted 50%
Unseen open book practical test
Two hour, in-person, unseen "open book" practical computer-based test. The test will comprise between 3 and 5 compulsory short questions. The questions will test whether students can correctly identify and apply correct statistical techniques to analyse and critically evaluate the significance of results from experimental data.

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