University of Southampton Calendar 2012/13


University Calendar 2012/13 Section XII : Academic Regulations - Faculty of Physical and Applied Sciences

Academic Unit	Physics and Astronomy
Final Award	Master of Physics (Honours)
Programme(s)	Master of Physics Master of Physics with Astronomy Master of Physics with Space Science Master of Physics with Photonics Master of Physics with Mathematics Master of Physics – Astrophysics & Final Part Abroad Master of Physics – Particle Physics Final Research Part Abroad Master of Physics – Nanotechnology Master of Physics – Experimental Physics Final Part Research
Last modified	July 2012

Reference should be made to the University's General Regulations found in Section IV and Section V (Higher Degree Regulations) of the University Calendar.

Except where an opt-out has been granted by the University (see below) the following academic regulations apply in addition to the General Regulations.

Admissions

To join this degree programme candidates will normally need to obtain 340 points from 21 units including a minimum of grade A in Physics and A in Mathematics at A-level.

Equivalent levels of performance in other internationally recognised qualifications (including BTEC, the International Baccalaureate, the European Baccalaureate, the French Baccalaureate, the German Abitur, Scottish Highers and the Irish Leaving Certificate) are also acceptable. Candidates whose first language is not English are required to reach a satisfactory standard in an approved test in English.

Mature students without any of the above qualifications are encouraged to apply if recent successful study has been undertaken at an appropriate level in Physics and Mathematics. The Admissions Tutor is happy to talk to candidates in advance of a formal UCAS application.

All individuals are selected and treated on their relative merits and abilities in line with the University's Equal Opportunities Policy. Disabled applicants will be treated according to the same procedures as any other applicant with the added involvement of the Disability Office to assess their needs. The programme may require adaptation for students with disabilities (eg: hearing impairment, visual impairment, mobility difficulties, dyslexia), particularly the practical laboratory sessions, and we will attempt to accommodate students wherever possible.

Master of Physics – Astrophysics with Year Abroad
Master of Physics – Particle Physics with Year Abroad
Master of Physics – Physics with a Year of Experimental Research
Admission onto these programmes is normally restricted to current students registered on one of the other MPhys programmes. In the case of the Master of Physics – Astrophysics with Year Abroad programme, students must be registered on the MPhys with Astronomy programme. Invitation to participate takes place after the second year and is based upon overall performance in Part 2. Normally, only students achieving an average mark of 70% or higher in Part 2 are considered for invitations. Practical considerations limit the number of places on each of these programmes, so only a small number of invitations are extended each year to the academically strongest students who have achieved this average. The programme coordinator's decision to admit students onto the programme may also require passing an interview with the programme coordinator and may additionally take into account a written reference from the student's academic tutor.

Structure of Programme(s)

Full-time study period is over four years. Refer to the Programme Specifications and the Physics and Astronomy website for further details such as modules, core modules, credits and content.

Students are required to register for 30 ECTS credits (60 CATS) of modules in each semester in Parts I, II and III. Part IV students may register for 37.5 ECTS (75 CATS) per semester with the written permission of their programme leader.

The compulsory and optional modules for each year of each degree are given in the programme specifications and on-line course information. Some modules have pre-requisites and some modules are mutually exclusive. These are documented in the module specifications, which can be viewed electronically at http://www.physics.soton.ac.uk.

Students must select their options for each semester of study before the start of the semester on or before the options deadline as notified by the Student Office. It is the responsibility of each student to ensure that the combination of modules they have selected is valid and meets the requirements of their programme of study. Students may change their selection up to week three of the semester. Students changing their selection after the options deadline are responsible for checking that there are no timetable clashes.

Progression

The rules governing progression are as indicated in the University Calendar under Section IV. Additional progression requirements are required by the Faculty Programme Board and are as follows.

Master of Physics -Part 2
If you obtain an average mark of 55% or more over all modules and a minimum of 40% in each module you are qualified to proceed directly to Part 3. If you do not achieve this you may refer, as described in Section IV, or transfer to BSc Physics.

Master of Physics – Astrophysics and Final Part Abroad - Part 3
Master of Physics – Particle Physics Final Research Part Abroad - Part 3
Master of Physics – Experimental Physics Final Part Research - Part 3
If you obtain an average mark of 70% or more over all modules and a minimum of 40% in each module you are qualified to proceed directly to Part IV.

Important Note: There is no right of referral for these programmes because of the lead-time required to set up the final Part of study. If there are mitigating circumstances (special considerations) to explain your failure to achieve the progression hurdle you will be treated sympathetically by the Faculty but please note that it may still not be possible for you to progress.

If you do not achieve these marks but you qualify for normal MPhys progression (with normal referral rights) you may transfer to the fourth Part of a standard MPhys programme. The Faculty, via the programme coordinator, will meet with you to determine the nature of your final Part and which modules you should take. This may entail taking deferred examinations during the supplementary examination period.

Under exceptional circumstances an exit with a BSc may be possible.

Assessment

The rules governing assessment are as indicated in the University Calendar under Section IV.

Award of Qualification(s)

The class of honours awarded is determined by the weighted final average mark in accordance with University regulations Section IV. The final award is by Senate on the recommendation of the Examination Board to candidates who have satisfactorily completed an approved course of study and have satisfied the assessment requirements.

Placements/Study Abroad/Exchange/Fieldwork

The following modules include a field trip or placement: PHYS2011 Design and Observation in Astronomy, PHYS2012 European Dimension in Space, - Astrophysics, PHYS3019 Communicating and Teaching and the Undergraduate Ambassadors Scheme, PHYS6013 Research Physics - Astrophysics, and PHYS6016 Particle Physics Research Project. The module specification explains the arrangements, including any contributions to costs which may be required.

Other

These regulations may be revised during the student's period of registration in accordance with the procedures approved by Senate.

Candidates are required to satisfy the academic and attendance requirements of the programme as laid out in the Programme Specification and the Student Handbook for the programme. Those failing to do so may have their course terminated.

Students resuming their studies after suspension may be asked to attend a return to study panel. Students may resume their studies following a suspension for medical reasons on, at most, two occasions.