Module BIC-0009:
Physics 2

Module Facts

Run by Marketing: Bangor International College

10.000 Credits or 5.000 ECTS Credits

Semester 1 & 2

Organiser: Mrs Laura McKenzie

Overall aims and purpose

1) To provide students with a basic knowledge of electricity and electronics so that they may apply this knowledge to real situations in engineering and computing.

2) To provide students with a basic understanding of fields and their effects

3) To provide students with additional experience of laboratory practice and procedures with an emphasis on the need to work with regard to the safety of themselves and others

4) To prepare students further for the deployment at level 4 and beyond of an Engineering or Computer Science first degree of the knowledge they will have gained

Course content

This module continues to provide the appropriate foundation in Physics knowledge and related practical skills to enable students to be successful in their planned undergraduate studies in the fields of engineering and computer science. Many students will come from educational systems where there has been a strong emphasis placed on the study of sciences but it cannot be assumed that this will apply more generally. It is important therefore that the module ensures an appropriate level of scientific background required to cope with their future engineering or computer science first degree programme.

The main topics covered are:

Electricity and Electronics: Current and charge; Potential difference; Limits and use of Ohm’s law; Potential divides and potentiometers; Wheatstone bridge; Capacitors in DC circuits; Measuring AC; AC circuits; Transistors; Operational amplifiers; Logic circuits.

Fields and their effects: Fields; their nature, strength and forces; Potential and potential energy in fields; Graphs and diagrams of field strength and potential; intermolecular fields; Electrical and gravitational fields from spheres and points; Earth’s ‘uniform’ gravitational field; Launching satellites from earth; Uniform electric fields; Capacitance of parallel plates and isolated spheres; Measuring magnetic fields and their forces; Using magnetic field formulae; Principles of electromagnetic induction; Calculating flux; Magnetic/electric circuit analogy; Inductance and transformers; Electromagnetic fields.

Data Analysis: Units and dimensions; Graphs; Errors.

Assessment Criteria

excellent

Student has performed effectively in all aspects of the module and has demonstrated a high level of suitability for and can proceed with confidence to undergraduate degree studies

good

Student has demonstrated sound, basic knowledge and technique in tackling many of the topics covered in the module and so shown clear suitability for undergraduate degree studies.

threshold

Student has coped sufficiently well with some aspects of the module to achieve the minimum level of pass to allow progression onto an undergraduate degree programme.

Learning outcomes

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of fields and their effects and apply the theoretical framework to solve mathematical and practical problems

  2. Analyse data in a consistent set of units

  3. Demonstrate an understanding of the theoretical bases of electricity and electronics and apply them to practical problems met in engineering, for example, instrumentation, and computing

  4. Carry out experiments in electricity and electronics in order to confirm theory and write up findings appropriately

Assessment Methods

Type Name Description Weight
Lab reports 30.00
Final exam 70.00

Teaching and Learning Strategy

Hours
Seminar

Teacher-led classes will involve students gaining a greater understanding of the topics covered through mini-presentations, group work and working in small groups to assist and encourage students to apply findings and information accurately

 50
Private study

Student will develop independent learning skills with regards to researching on relevant topics, working together to understand and solve problems

40
Laboratory

Small group laboratory work. Undertaking up to 5 Practical Sessions during the module and participating in group work led by teacher modeling the task and monitoring performance

 10

Transferable skills

  • Numeracy - Proficiency in using numbers at appropriate levels of accuracy
  • Self-Management - Able to work unsupervised in an efficient, punctual and structured manner. To examine the outcomes of tasks and events, and judge levels of quality and importance
  • Exploring - Able to investigate, research and consider alternatives
  • Safety-Consciousness - Having an awareness of your immediate environment, and confidence in adhering to health and safety regulations
  • Teamwork - Able to constructively cooperate with others on a common task, and/or be part of a day-to-day working team

Subject specific skills

  • Demonstrate numeracy skills required as a basis for future studies in Computing and Engineering programmes
  • Demonstrate an understanding and ability to apply concepts, principles and theories underpinning physics, mathematics and computing to relevant situations
  • Develop an awareness of the relevance of physics and mathematics to the field of engineering
  • Demonstrate the ability to undertake practical work, on computers and the capability to work in a laboratory collecting, organising and presenting data using appropriate techniques

Resources

Resource implications for students

Core Text book

Reading list

Breithaupt, J. (2015) A Level Physics for AQA: Student Book Oxford University Press/Nelson Thornes

Courses including this module