Tuning and Physics Benchmarks

1
Tuning and Physics Benchmarks

• Comparison of Benchmarks for Physics Bachelor
  degrees in Europe
• Working Group 1
• Fernando Cornet ES, Eamonn Cunningham IE, Lupo
  Donà dalle Rose IT, Leif Johansson SE,
  Jan Klosinski PL

2
Eupen Tuning

• Eupen survey of physics courses (1998)
• 75 universities/21 countries
• Fundamental physics courses dominate early years
  of degree (Bachelor degree)
• Very similar contents across Europe
• (Proceedings of EUPEN General Forum 98)
• Tuning (2002)
• Study of physics course across 15 countries
• Identified core of Physics common to all
  programmes

3
Tuning syllabus

• Maths Computing
• Basic maths, mathematical methods, computing
• Basic Physics
• Classical, quantum physics, laboratory
• Theoretical Physics
• Analytical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum
  mechanics. Statistical physics

• Modern Physics
• Atomic, nuclear, solid state, astrophysics
• Applied Physics
• Electronics, chemistry etc.
• Laboratory
• Laboratory work, physics projects, Bachelor
  thesis project

4
National Benchmarks

• Most countries are adopting subject benchmarks
• Introduction of Bachelor degrees
• Quality assurance systems
• Using the methods adopted by Tuning
• Subject and general competences, learning
  outcomes etc.
• Concentrating on physics content not other
  general quality indicators

5
Italy Laurea in Physical Sciences Technologies

• Only 90/180 ECTS credits are compulsory
• Basic activities 40
• Maths computing 15
• Chemistry 5
• Experimental Theoretical physics 20
• Characterising activities 50
• Experimental applied Physics
• Theoretical Physics foundation of Physics
• Micro-physics structure of matter
• Astrophysics, geophysics space physics

6
Germany Bachelor degree

• ASIIN document (Quality agency)
• 130/180 specified
• Maths 30 Experimental Physics 30
• Theoretical Physics 30 Laboratory 30
• Other subjects 25 Bachelor Thesis 12
• Conference of Physics Faculties
• Similar breakdown of subjects
• Clear distinction drawn between theoretical and
  experimental physics

7
Spain Título de Grado en Física

• National Quality and Accreditation agency
• For 180 credit degree (240 also possible)
• 135/180 specified
• Fundamental physics 15 Mechanics waves 12
• Electromagnetism 12 Optics 6
• Thermodynamics 12 Quantitative physics 12
• Structure of materials 9 Experimental
  techniques 18
• Mathematical methods 30 Computational physics 9
• Slightly more detailed specification of subjects
  and weightings

8
Lithuania Bachelor degree

• 140/180 credits specified
• General university education 12-28
• General/basic physics 38
• Maths 12
• Information technology 10
• Specific physics courses 35
• Laboratory/practical 10
• Bachelor thesis 8

9
UK ( Ireland)

• QAA (UK quality assurance agency)
• General document which does not go into subject
  details
• Applies to 3 4 year degrees (5 in Scotland)
• IOP (Institute of Physics)
• voluntary accreditation scheme
• Also includes Ireland
• Detailed Core of Physics
• Does not conflict with QAA document

10
IOP Core of Physics

• Core of Physics (more detailed IOP document)
• Mathematics Mechanics relativity
• Quantum Physics Condensed matter
• Oscillations waves Electromagnetism
• Optics Thermodynamics
• Project work (Bachelor Thesis)
• No specific allocation of credits
• Topics could be grouped differently this is not
  a set syllabus

11
Comparison

• No significant differences in Physics content
• Different emphasis in different countries
• Range of approaches
• UK/Ireland more experimental
• Germany more theoretical
• Converging towards common benchmarks/syllabi?

12
European Benchmark?

• Given the similarities in different benchmarks,
  there is a good case for having a common European
  benchmark
• Needs to be flexible and non-prescriptive
• Contains agreed common core physics
• Should cover most physics degrees

13
Suggested structureBased on Tuning structure
with modifications suggested credits

• Maths Computing 20-40
• Basic maths, mathematical methods, computing,
  Information Technology
• Basic Physics 20-40
• Classical, quantum physics, oscillations waves,
  basic optics, basic laboratory
• Theoretical Physics 20-40
• Analytical mechanics, electromagnetism, quantum
  mechanics, Thermodynamics statistical physics
• Modern Physics 20-40
• Relativity, Atomic, nuclear, condensed matter,
  advanced optics
• Laboratory 20-40
• Laboratory work, physics projects, Bachelor
  thesis project
• Ancillary subjects (was Applied Physics)
  0-40
• Astronomy, Astrophysics, Electronics, Chemistry
  etc
• Overall minimum of 140 credits in Maths Physics

14
Way forward?

• Small group to formulate Physics benchmark
  document
• Circulate to STEPS2/EUPEN members
• Separate application for funding in co-operation
  with STEPS2?