KL Coded Courses - SCIENCE

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Sally Middleton

Pre-requisites

SQA Higher in Chemistry at B or better,or GCE A Level in Chemistry, or equivalent qualification. Other qualifications with permission of the course co-ordinator.

Co-requisites

As specified in the University Calendar for certain degree programs, otherwise none.

Notes

Students who intend to continue with Chemistry beyond level 1 and who do not have a mathematics pass at Higher or A-level are recommended to take the Introductory Mathematics courses MA 0000 and MA 0000.

Overview

This course provides a grounding in the foundations of chemical science, with emphasis on the applications of chemistry in physical sciences and engineering. The course includes a review of the basic concepts and langauge of chemistry, quantitative chemical calculations, atomic structure, the periodic table, and chemical bonding. The section on organic chemistry describes structural and stereochemical aspects and simple functional groups, and the section on physical chemistry includes study of the gas laws, heats of reaction and the energetics of chemical processes.

Structure

Two one-hour lectures (times TBA) and one one-hour class workshop (time TBA) per week. Six fortnightly 3-hour laboratory classes (times TBA).

Assessment

1st Attempt: One two-hour written examination (50%), continuous assessment (30%) and lab work (20%).

Resit: One two-hour written examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

Marks for lab experiment follow-up tests and MyAberdeen assignments available as soon as possible after the assessments. Informal discussion with students in lab sessions. All of the course team have "open door" policies for meeting students.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Sally Middleton

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Notes

This course is available in both the first half session and through the Summer

Overview

The geological timescale
Relative dating and Uniformitarianism
Sedimentary deposits and way up
Sequence deposits and way up
Sequence and bio-stratigraphy
Palaeontology
Geohazards
Absolute dating
Topography
The interior of the Earth
P and S waves
Plate tectonics and the Wilson cycle

Structure

This course will be delivered independently through MyAberdeen.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 100% continuous assessment (continuous assessment (50%)and end of course assessment (50%)).

Resit: 1 paper equivalent to end of course assessment (100%).

Formative Assessment

Tutorial style chat sessions delivered weekly.

Feedback

Weekly chat sessions will allow feedback through the duration of the course.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

SCE H in Mathematics and Physics, or equivalent.

Notes

Two of the practicals are optical and as such they may be difficult to complete if the student is blind/partially sighted. However the practicals are carried out in groups of two (or occasionally three). Hence, in this instance the work would be carried out in a group of three so that the tasks can be shared appropriately.

The course will be delivered independently through MyAberdeen however, students will be given the option of attending the 2 one-hour lectures per week. There will be a compulsory on campus practical weekend.

Overview

The course lays emphasis on how a relatively few fundamental laws enable us to understand a very wide range of phenomena that occur both naturally and as a result of mankind's activities. In particular, you will see how Newton's laws of motion lets us understand a variety of linear and circular motion; how the properties of matter can be characterised and how physics can be usefully applied in the fields of planetary motion, sport, the environment and medicine. The course will also describe how some of the most important ideas in modern physics grew from unexpected observations.

Assessment

1st Attempt: Final two-hour multiple choice exam (50%), completion of practical class notebook and laboratory reports (25%), tutorial sheets (12.5%), multiple choice tests during term (12.5%).

Resit: Final two-hour multiple choice exam (50%), completion of practical class notebook and laboratory reports (25%), tutorial sheets (12.5%), multiple choice tests during term (12.5%).

Formative Assessment

On-line software for solving Physics problems (eg Mastering Physics software or equivalent).

Feedback

Tutorial sheets, term multiple choice exams and lab notebooks will be marked and returned within two weeks of submission. Mastering Physics software gives an immediate on-line feedback.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

Co-requisites

As specified in the University Calendar for certain degree programs, otherwise none.

Notes

i) Assistive technologies may be required for any student who is unable to use a standard keyboard/mouse/computer monitor. Any students wishing to discuss this further should contact the School Disability Co-ordinator.
ii) This course can not be taken in a graduating curriculum with CS 1516 or CS 1519 or KL equivalents.

Overview

This course teaches students about programming in general, and programming for the internet in particular. It also teaches students the basics of database driven web applications.

Topics will include:

a) programming using a scripting language, including objects, methods, control structures, data types and collections;
b) programming for the internet, including forms, application logic, database programming, and interaction with other applications using Web 2.0 technology such as Google Maps.

Structure

This course will be delivered independently through MyAberdeen. Students will be provided with recordings of the 2, one hour lectures a week. The 1 two-hour practical a week is delivered through MyAberdeen.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (50%); continuous assessment (50%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (75%); continuous assessment mark carried forward (25%). Continuous assessment consists of programming tasks.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

Overview

A course of general interest providing an introduction to Astronomy. There will be an emphasis on the current knowledge of the solar system but the course will also look at astronomy on a larger scale. Whilst the meterology component will discuss the atmosphere and how its dynamics are driven by the sun, special interest issues such as ozone depletion, climate change and El Nino will be highlighted.

Structure

This course will be delivered independently through MyAberdeen. Students will be provided with recordings of the three one-hour lectures a week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two hour multiple choice exam (75%), in-course assessment (25%).

Resit: 1 two hour multiple choice exam (75%), in-course assessment (25%).

Formative Assessment

Feedback

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

None.

Co-requisites

None.

Overview

The content includes topics in Ecology: (Biodiversity, Ecological Resources, Population Ecology, Community Ecology, Ecosystem Functioning) and topics in Environmental Science: (Ecosystems and Environment, The Atmosphere and the Oceans, Land Use and the Global Environment, Global Environmental Change - including Climate Change, GMOs, Acid Deposition, Ozone Depletion, Biodegradation of Crude Oils, - Waste Management and the Environment).

Structure

This course will be delivered independently through webCT. Students will be provided with recordings of the three one-hour lectures a week and the 5, three hour practicals will be delivered through an intensive practical weekend.

Assessment

1st Attempt: One 2 hour MCQ exam (60%) and in-course assessment (40%). To complete this course, achieved in both the theory exam and the in-course practical assessments.

To pass this course, a pass must be achieved in both the theory exam and the in-course assessment.

Resit: One 2 hour MCQ exam in the same format as the main exam. The resit paper may contain questions pertaining to both the practical and lecture components of the course.

Formative Assessment

Feedback

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Notes

The nature of the method of delivery of this course and the field trip and practical work may lead to difficulties for students with some disabilities however all possible alternatives will be investigated. Students with disabilities are highly recommended to seek a meeting with the School Disability Coordinator to discuss this further. This course may NOT be included in a graduating curriculum with GL 1005 and GL 1505.

Overview

The rocks, of which the rigid, outer shell of the Earth is made, are themselves composed of a range of different minerals. Igneous rocks, which crystallise from rock melts (magma), contain minerals that reflect the processes operating within and at the margins of the plates that form the rigid shell. Metamorphic rocks are formed in response to the forces associated with the movement of the plates and/or to changes in temperatures. The weathering and erosion of pre-existing rock formations and the transport and deposition of this debris by ice, wind, water and gravity form most sedimentary rocks. However, some sedimentary rocks are mainly of biological or chemical origin (e.g. chalk, rock salt). The composition of, and the mineral associations in rocks are therefore directly related to the processes that formed them. The identification and classification of rocks is therefore a crucial skill in studies relating to the evolution of the Earth.

Structure

This course will be delivered independently through WebCT, with an intensive practical weekend.

Assessment

1st Attempt: (100% continuous assessment):

Multiple choice questions (25%)
Laboratory Practical (25%)
Field Trip (25%)
End of course assessment (25%)
Resit: Examination (100%)

Feedback

Feedback will be given.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

Notes

Assistive technologies may be required for any student who is unable to use a standard keyboard/mouse/computer monitor. Any students wishing to discuss this further should contact the School Disability Co-ordinator.

Overview

Topics will include:

programming using a scripting language, including objects, methods, control structures, data types and collections;

programming for the internet, including forms, application logic, database programming, and interaction with other applications using Web 2.0 technology such as Google Maps.

Structure

This course will be delivered independently through MyAberdeen. Students will be provided with recordings of the 2, one hour lectures a week. The 1 one-hour practical a week is delivered through MyAberdeen.

Assessment

1st Attempt: One 1.5 hour multiple-choice examination (75%) and continuous assessment (25%).

Resit: Candidates only resit those components (multiple-choice examination, practical examinations) which they failed at first attempt. Multiple-choice examination at resit is 1.5 hours.

Formative Assessment

Feedback

During lectures, the Personal Response System and/or other ways of student interaction will be used for formative assessment. Additionally, practical sessions will provide students with practice opportunies and formative assessment.

Formative feedback for in-course assessment will be provided in written form. Additionally, formative feedback on performance will be provided informally during practical sessions.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Sally Middleton

Pre-requisites

Pass in CM 1000 (Chemistry for the Physical Sciences 1).

Co-requisites

As specified in the University Calendar for certain degree programs, otherwise none.

Overview

• Theories of chemical bonding of multi-atom molecules, the VSEPR model.



• The Second Law: entropy, free-energy and equilibrium.



• Phase equilibria, acid and bases (including buffers).



• Organic reaction mechanisms: the factors affecting Sn1 and Sn2 reactions, addition reactions, reactinos of aromatic systems.

Structure

Two one-hour lectures (times TBA) and one one-hour class workshop (time TBA) per week. Six fortnightly 3-hour laboratory classes (times TBA).

Assessment

1st Attempt: One two-hour written examination (50%), continuous assessment (on-line multiple choice tests) (30%) and lab work (20%).

Resit: One two-hour written examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

Marks for lab experiment follow-up tests and MyAberdeen assignments available as soon as possible after the assessments. Informal discussion with students in lab sessions. All of the course team have "open door" policies for meeting students.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

KL 108W

Overview

The course will continue from KL108W Physical Universe A and develop ideas of rotational mechanics including moments of inertia, before going on to explore radiation, types of radiation and radioactivity. Some discussion of topical related issues will also be included. The Electricity and Magnetism component of the course will follow conventional lines for this level, exploring the laws of how charges interact through electrostatic and magnetic forces, how emf may be induced, the operation of capacitors and inductors. Practical sessions will mirror the theoretical content.

Structure

2 x one hour recorded lectures uploaded to MyAberdeen per week, and an intensive practical weekend.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour exam (70%), Continuous assessment (tutorials) (15%), Continuous assessment (practicals) (15%).

Resit: 1 two-hour exam (70%), Continuous assessment (tutorials) (15%), Continuous assessment (practials) (15%).

Formative Assessment

Tutorials will monitor student development, whilst lab demonstrators will engage with students at a one to one level not possible in the lecture theatre.

Feedback

Tutorial sheets, term multiple choice exams and lab notebooks will be marked and returned within two weeks of submission. Mastering Physics software gives an immediate on-line feedback.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

Notes

Assistive technologies may be required for any student who is unable to use a standard keyboard/mouse/computer monitor. Any students wishing to discuss this further should contact the School Disability
Co-ordinator.

Overview

• Basics: Number Systems (Decimal Binary Hexadecimal); Binary Addition; Logic Gates; Transistors; Power Consumption; Boolean Algebra; Multiplexer/Decoders/Timing; Latches and Flip-Flops; Finite State Machines.


• Building Blocks: Arithmetic Circuits; Number Systems (Fixed-Point, Floating-Point);Memory Arrays; Logic Arrays.
  
• Assembly Language, Machine Language: Addressing Modes; Program execution: heaps and stacks.


• Microarchitecture: Single-Cycle Processor; Multicycle Processor; Pipelined Processor.


• Memory Systems: Caches; Virtual Memory.

Structure

2 x 1 hour recorded lectures uploaded onto MyAberdeen, 1 x 1 hour online practical and 1 x 1 hour online tutorial per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 x two-hour written examination (50%); continuous assessment (20%); practical coursework (30%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (50%); continuous assessment carried forward (50%).

Formative Assessment

Feedback will be provided from the dedicated tutor.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

None.

Co-requisites

None.

Notes

This course may not be included in a graduating curriculum with GG1506, GG1507, GC1501 or KL equivalents.

Overview

This course examines how global processes produce and reflect local-scale changes. Related study blocks will address:
Environmental change and landscape response. Topography, climate, reconstruction of past relationships between humans, plants and animals.
Landscape and society. Environment - opportunity or risk? Resources and hazards as local manifestations of global drivers. People, land, water, soils - who controls what?
Globalisation - the economics and politics of urban industrial change. Agents and scales of change: nations and states; local government; multinational corporations and local entrepreneurialism. Regional development and the post-industrial economy.
New social and cultural spaces. Mobility and difference; poverty and exclusion; imaginative geographies: unequal power relationships; memories, places and nations.

Structure

2 x one hour lecture recorded and uploaded onto MyAberdeen per week. A compulsory practical weekend in Aberdeen.

Assessment

1st Attempt: For students who complete the coursework to a satisfactory standard: coursework, 100%. These students will obtain exemption from the degree exam, and their coursework mark will provide the overall course CAS mark.

For students who do not obtain exemption from the degree exam: coursework, 50% plus exam, 50%.

Resit: Original coursework carried forward, 50%, plus exam, 50%.

Formative Assessment

Feedback will be provided by dedicated tutor.

Feedback

Formative Assessment and Feedback Information
The course includes a workgroup exercise on assessment of essays. Students must sit a mock exam in-class. However, with just 12 weeks, 6 workgroups and a degree exam exemption system that requires summative assessment of coursework, it is difficult to arrange stand-alone formative assessment. It makes more sense to consider feedback/feedforward in terms of onwards progression: e.g., students write just one coursework essay which is summatively assessed, but comments provided on this should help students to improve their performance next time: e.g., in the follow-up Level 2 courses.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Sally Middleton

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Notes

(i) Assistive technologies may be required for any student who is unable to use a standard keyboard/mouse/computer monitor. Any students wishing to discuss this further should contact the School Disability Co-ordinator.

Overview

• The concepts of a database and database management. Database development. Illustrations. Entity-Relationship model. Database design: logical design and the relational model. Normalisation; different normal forms. Physical design; file organisation and access; indexing. Database administration. Query by Example and SQL. Query optimisation. Practical examples using MS Access.



• Client-server model. Database servers. Database access from client applications. Web-based database access through server-side scripting. Practical examples using MS Access, My SQL, Php and JDBC.



• A brief overview of key concepts in distributed, object -oriented, multimedia, spatial and geo-referenced database systems.

Structure

Four hours per week: 2 one hour lectures delivered via recordings, 1 two hour practical delivered remotely all using MyAberdeen.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two hour written examination (75%); continuous assessment (25%). In order to pass this course, candidates must obtain a pass mark in the examination and in the overal combination of examination and continuous assessment.

Resit: 1 two hour written examination (75%); continuous assessment mark carried forwards (25%). In order to pass this course, candidates must obtain a pass mark in the examination and in the overal combination of examination and continuous assessment.

Formative Assessment

During regular chat rooms, student interaction will be used for formative assessment. Additionally, practical sessions will provide students with practice opportunies and formative assessment.

Feedback

Formative feedback for in-course assessments will be provided in written form. Additionally, formative feedback on performance will be provided informally during chat sessions.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Sally Middleton

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Notes

(i) Assistive technologies may be required for any student who is unable to use a standard keyboard/mouse/computer monitor. Any students wishing to discuss this further should contact the School Disability Co-ordinator.

Overview

What is the electronic society? What are the human factors involved in engaging in the electronic society? What is the impact of the electronic society on organisations? What impact do E-Technologies have on society? An overview of infrastructure. An introduction to issues: Legal & ethical, security, privacy, intellectual property, software failure, digital divide. Case studies from E-Commerce, E-Health, E-Science and E-Governance. Thse case studies will address, for example, how organisations must change to best utilise emerging technologies, issues of security and privacy in the use of patient data, and the importance of standards in E-Science.

Structure

Three hours per week: 2 one hour lectures delivered via recordings mounted on webCT, 1 one hour practical delivered remotely using webCT.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two hour written examination (75%); continuous assessment (25%). In order to pass this course, candidates must obtain a pass mark in the overall combination of examination and continuous assessment.

Resit: 1 two hour written examination (75%); continuous assessment mark carried forwards (25%). In order to pass this course, candidates must obtain a pass mark in the overall combination of examination and continuous assessment.

Formative Assessment

Chat room sessions will provide students with practice opportunies and presentations and debates where feedback from staff will be given.

Feedback

Feedback for in-course summative assessments will be provided in written form. Additionally, formative feedback on performance will be provided informally during tutorial sessions.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

KL 109D or KL 159C

Notes

Assistive technologies may be required for any student who is unable to use a standard keyboard/mouse/computer monitor. Any students wishing to discuss this further should contact the School Disability Coordinator. This course cannot be taken in a graduating curriculum with CS 2012.

Overview

This course identifies fundamental data structures and algorithms as the basic building blocks of software systems, and provides experience of their implementation and application using a programming language. Introduction to Design of algorithms. Recursion and simple analysis of recursive methods. Data Types & Abstraction. Use of Programming Language Data Structures. Stacks, Queues, Deques and Lists. Hash tables. Trees. Search Trees. Heaps. Sets. Algorithmic paradigms and their applications. Implementation issues and efficiency measures.

Structure

This course will be delivered independently through MyAberdeen, however the two one-hour lecture recordings per week will be uploaded. There will also be a 2 hour online practical each week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (50%) and in course assessments (50%). In order to pass the course, candidates must obtain a pass mark in the examination and in the overall combinations of examination and in-course assessment (with the above weights).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (75%); carried forward original in-course assessments (25%). Candidates must obtain a pass mark in the exam and the overall combination of exam and in-course assessment.

Formative Assessment

During lectures, the Personal Response System and/or other ways of student interaction will be used for formative assessment. Additionally, practical sessions will provide students with practice opportunities and formative assessment.

Feedback

Formative feedback for in-course assessments will be provided in written form. Additionally, formative feedback on performance will be provided informally during practical sessions.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

KL 107O and KL 158S

Overview

The course provides a grounding in basics physical chemistry. The principle points include:

• Thermodynamic parameters: enthalpy, entropy and Gibbs energies.


• Chemical Kinetics: Zero, 1st and 2nd order reactions, partial and reaction orders and relationship of rate laws to mechanism.


• Basic principles of electrochemistry including redox chemistry and Nernst equations.

Structure

2 one hour lecture, recorded and uploaded to MyAberdeen per week, one 1 hour online tutorial per fortnight and compulsory attendance at Aberdeen based practical weekend.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 x two-hour written examination (60%), continuous assessment (40%).


Resit: 1 x two-hour written examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment given during tutorial classes and laboratory classes.

Feedback

Marks for lab experiments and MyAberdeen assignments available as soon as possible after the assessments; feedback on wrong answers provided. Informal discussion with students in lab sessions.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

KL 107O and KL 158S

Co-requisites

Overview

This course provides a grounding in basic inorganic chemistry of the elements. Chemicals structure, and how it affects reactivity will be considered, together with chemical bonding in its various forms.

Particular emphasis will be placed on structure - activity relationships, including how the addition of catalytic materials can alter the course of chemical reactions.

Structure

Two one-hour recorded lectures per week, one one-hour tutorial per fortnight delivered through MyAberdeen. Intensive Aberdeen based practical weekend.

Assessment

1st Attempt: One two-hour written examination (60%), continuous assessment (40%).

Resit: One two-hour written examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment given during tutorial classes and laboratory classes.

Feedback

Marks for lab experiments and MyAberdeen assignments available as soon as possible after the assessments; feedback on wrong answers provided. Informal discussion with students in lab sessions.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

KL 107Z or KL 197Z or KL157X or KL 199A or KL 107O or KL 158S or KL 108W or KL 158Z or on-campus equivalents

Overview

Distinction between Terrestrial and Jovian planets. Overview of the geology of Earth as a planetary body Geology and age of the Moon Geology of Mars, Venus and Mercury Meteorites as planetary fragments. Debate about extraterrestrial origins of carbon-based life-forms.

Structure

The course will be taught online using MyAberdeen and supplemented with face to face sessions as necessary.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 100% Continuous assessment - Continuous Assessment (50%) End of course Assessment (50%).

Resit: 1 paper equivalent to end of course assessment (100%).

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment will be provided throughout the course using quizzes, chat rooms and discussion boards/blogs.

Feedback

Feedback will be provided via the VLE/Turnitin as appropriate.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Sally Middleton

Pre-requisites

None

Co-requisites

None

Notes

(i) Assistive technologies may be required for any student who is unable to use a standard keyboard/mouse/computer monitor. Any students wishing to discuss this further should contact the School Disability Co-ordinator.

Overview

The need to consider usability, task analysis, contextual design, query techniques and focus groups, information architecture, types of interfaces, prototyping, analytical usability evaluation, evaluation of safety-critical systems, user testing, universal access, cross-cultural design and internationalisation, psychology of HCI, technical writing. Extra advanced topics may vary from year to year.

Structure

Four hours per week: 2 one hour lectures delivered via recordings mounted on webCT, 1 two hour practical delivered remotely using webCT.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two hour written examination (75%); continuous assessment (25%). In order to pass this course, candidates must obtain a pass mark in the examination and in the overal combination of examination and continuous assessment.

Resit: 1 two hour written examination (75%); continuous assessment mark carried forwards (25%). In order to pass this course, candidates must obtain a pass mark in the examination and in the overal combination of examination and continuous assessment.

Formative Assessment

Regular chatrooms will provide students with practice opportunies and formative assessment. The assessed coursework involves most of the students working in groups and learning as a result of the interactions that take place.

Feedback

Formative feedback for in-course assessments will be provided in written form. Additionally, formative feedback on performance will be provided informally during practical sessions.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

KL 107O and KL 158S

Overview

The course covers the underlying theory of the identification and determination of, for example, poisons such as pesticides or heavy metals in biological fluids, and of alcohol and drugs of abuse in mixtures of organic compounds including their structure determination by spectroscopic methods. This will involve study of the chemical reactions useful in analytical chemistry such as acid-base, complex formation, precipitation, redox and seperation by transfer between phases, and also an introduction to both theory and practical experience of modern instrumental methods of analysis, with particular reference to forensic chemistry, and also to the closely related topic of enviornmental monitoring.

Structure

Two one-hour recorded lectures per week, one one-hour tutorial per fortnight delivered through MyAberdeen. Intensive Aberdeen based practical weekend.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 x two-hour written examination (60%), continuous assessment (40%).

Resit: 1 x two-hour written examination (100%).

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment given during tutorial classes and laboratory classes.

Feedback

Marks for lab experiments and tutorial exercises available as soon as possible after the assessments; feedback on wrong answers provided. Informal discussion with students in lab sessions.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

Co-requisites

None

Notes

Cannot be taken with PX 2510.

The course will be delivered independently through MyAberdeen, but students will be given the option of attending the 2 one-hour lectures and 1 one hour tutorial per week.

Overview

In this course we aim to summarise some of the key developments in Modern (post 1900) physics in a simple and accessible manner. As such, the course is divided into "Modern Physics", comprising special relativity, quantum mechanics, nuclear physics and particle physics, and also "Cosmology and Astronomy". Where appropriate some of this will be presented in a historical context, describing how models are developed and tested, and how new theories come to light.

In the first part of the course, we discuss general "Modern Physics". The twin subjects of relativity and quantum mechanics have had an impact right across the sciences. The course discusses why these topics emerged from classical physics, outlines what they are about and some of their fundamental results. From special relativity we will examine time dilation, mass increase, length contraction and of course E=mc2 and the implications of this equation. The development of quantum mechanics will be followed, leading to such key results as the (implications of the) Schrodinger Wave equation and the Heisenberg uncertainty principle. We will then go on to learn about the basics of nuclear and particle physics, leading to the design and purpose of the LHC.

The course also addresses some philosophical issues raised by the question "What is science?" and what distinguishes it from other fields of knowledge. It discusses the Big Bang theory of the origin of the Universe and how this theory makes predictions that can be tested by observation, such as the cosmic microwave background and the relative abundance of light elements in the Universe. The course looks at several cosmological issues, such as the role of General Relativity, Olbers paradox, dark matter and dark energy. Large-scale astronomy is discussed including the evolution of galaxies, different kinds of stars and their evolution and the presence of "exotic" objects such as quasars and black holes.

Structure

Two one-hour recorded lectures and 1 one-hour tutorial per week, delivered via MyAberdeen.

Assessment

1st Attempt: One two-hour multiple choice examination (60%); in-course assessment (40%) comprising two group presentations and a short summary essay.

Resit:One two-hour multiple choice examination (60%). The in-course assessment will be carried forward, although there is the opportunity to resubmit the short summary essay (worth 10%).

Formative Assessment

Problem solving will be tackled during tutorials and help and feedback will be given individually.

Feedback

Tutorial feedback will be given orally, though written feedback can also be given if tutorial work is handed in for marking. For summative (group) assessments, written feedback (by e-mail) will be given to each group on their work within a week of the assessment. For the summary essay, individual written feedback will be given.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

KL 108Z or KL 157Z or on campus equivalents.

Notes

i) Assistive technology statement as on all other Computing Science courses.
ii) This course cannot be taken in a graduating curriculum with CS 2512.

Overview

Syllabus:

• Advanced programming using a scripting language, including top-down design, reading and writing to files, inheritance and other relationships between classes, event handling, error handling, testing, data structures and algorithmic structures.



• Advanced programming for the internet, including searching, security, and plug-ins.

Structure

2 one hour recorded lectures uploaded onto MyAberdeen, 1 two hour online practical, per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 100% from in course assessments. In order to pass the course, candidates must obtain a pass mark (CAS > 8).

Resit: Candidates will be able to resubmit the in course assessment, which will be capped at CAS 9.

Formative Assessment

During lectures, the Personal Response System and/or other ways of student interaction will be used for formative assessment. Additionally, practical sessions will provide students with practice opportunities and formative assessment.

Feedback

Formative feedback for in-course assessments will be provided in written form. Additionally, formative feedback on performance will be provided informally during practical sessions.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

CM1015 or CM1016, CM1510 or KL equivalents. For students of Chemical Engineering the sole prerequisite is CM1510.

Overview

Shape, conformation, and stereochemistry in organic and biologically relevant compounds. Reactions and reactivity of both aliphant and armatic compounds will be considered with particular reference to spatial and electronic effects.

Structure

Two one-hour recorded lectures per week, one one-hour tutorial per fortnight delivered through MyAberdeen. Intensive Aberdeen based practical weekend.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 three-hour written examination (66.7%) and in-course assessment in the form of laboratory reports (33.3%).

Resit: 1 three-hour writeen examination (66.7%) and in-course assessment in the form of laboratory reports (33.3%).
Only the marks obtained on first sitting can be used for Honours classification.

Formative Assessment

Exercises will be performed during online chat sessions and feedback will be given.

Feedback

Informal feedback will be given to students after the practical reports.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr S Middleton

Pre-requisites

KL 107Z or KL 197Z or KL 157X or KL 199A or KL 107O or KL 108W or on campus equivalent

Overview

• Be able to recognize and understand the genesis of minerals of economic importance.
• The seven crystal systems and their geometry
• Bravais lattices.
• Bonding and coordination of ions
• Silicates and the silicon tetrahedron
• Carbonates
• Sulphides

Structure

Recorded lectures uploaded onto MyAberdeen, supplemented with face to face sessions as necessary.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 100% Continuous assessment. Continuous Assessment (50%) End of course Assessment (50%).

Resit: 1 paper equivalent to end of course assessment (100%).

Formative Assessment

Formative assessment will be provided throughout the course using quizzes, chat rooms and discussion boards/blogs.

Feedback

Feedback will be provided via the VLE/Turnitin as appropriate.

Credit Points

15

Course Coordinator

Dr Sally Middleton

Pre-requisites

KL109D Computer Programming and Principles or on campus equivalent.

Notes

Assistive technologies may be required for any student who is unable to use a standard keyboard/mouse/computer monitor. Any students wishing to discuss this further should contact the School Disability Co-ordinator.

Overview

Major programming paradigms including procedural, functional and logic.

Syntax and semantics of programming languages.
Imperative programming languages (including object-oriented).

Functional programming languages.

Logic programming languages.

Parallel programming languages.

Domain-specific and special-purpose programming languages.

Structure

2 one-hour recorded lectures and a 1 two-hour practical via MyAberdeen per week.

Assessment

1st Attempt: 1 two-hour written examination (75%); continuous assessment (25%).

Resit: 1 two-hour written examination (75%); continuous assessment mark carried forwards (25%).

Formative Assessment

During lectures, the Personal Response System and/or other ways of student interaction will be used for formative assessment. Additionally, practical sessions will provide students with practice opportunies and formative assessment.

Formative feedback for in-course assessments will be provided in written form. Additionally, formative feedback on performance will be provided informally during practical sessions.