MSci/BSc Natural Sciences Prof. Geoff Nash Joint Programme Director
Purpose of the OHVD Get to know us Get your questions answered Give you a flavour of the range of scientific research at Exeter Meet current students Help YOU decide where to spend 3/4 years
Overview Course Structure Natural Sciences at Exeter Other Information
Course Structure
Teaching and Assessment 120 credits of study in each year A mix of compulsory and optional modules Teaching Lectures, workshops, seminars, tutorials Personal tutor, project mentors Assessment Summative and formative Coursework and examination Split depends on module
Contact time At least 15 hours of direct contact with lecturers and tutors in the first year: Typically 2 hours of lectures per week per module Up to 3 hours of workshops per week per module Regular drop-in surgeries Study resources and dedicated office hours Tutor group meetings
BSc degree overview Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Foundations in Natural Sciences Maths and Computer Science Frontiers in Science 4 Core Modules 2 Elective Modules Frontiers in Science Research Project Group Project 3 Elective Modules
MSci degree overview Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 (MSci) Foundations in Natural Sciences 4 Core Modules Research Project Maths and Computer Science Frontiers in Science 2 Elective Modules Frontiers in Science Group Project 3 Elective Modules 4 Elective Modules
Degree structure: year 1 Multidisciplinary 1 st year NSC1001 Frontiers in Science Scientific skills Seminars Laboratories NSC1002 Mathematics and Computing Integrative tools for natural sciences NSC1003 Foundations in Natural Sciences Chemistry Biology Physics
Frontiers in Science Key skills required to become a successful scientist Laboratories (6 physics, 6 biology, 6 chemistry), seminars, workshops Opportunities to engage with leading researchers from across the University What is science, how does it progress and what it means to be a scientist No examinations, assessment includes science blog
Maths and Computer Science Fundamental mathematical and computational techniques Linear algebra, complex numbers, vectors and vector calculus, series and sequences, differential equations, probability and statistics Programming using Python, leading to Matlab Computer Science, not IT
Foundations Biology Biological diversity, evolution, the genetic basis of life Fundamental principles underlying these systems, at the level of the biochemical reaction, the cell, the tissue, the entity, the population and the environment
Foundations Chemistry Energy quantisation atomic and molecular orbitals physicochemical properties of substances chemical reactivity and bonding Thermodynamics position of chemical equilibrium. Theories of reaction kinetics experimental reaction rates Nomenclature, structural representations and reaction mechanisms of organic chemistry
Foundations Physics Atoms, molecules, quantum mechanics, light, gravity etc Apply the principles of physics in new situations and manipulate mathematical formulae to build quantitative physical models Strategies for identifying and remedying missing knowledge
Degree structure: year 2 Frontiers in Science II (NSC2001) Core modules Choose at least four, two from one topic area and two from a second area Work closely with personal tutor Elective modules E.g. The Physics of Living Systems, Introduction to Biological Psychology, Frontiers of Computing etc
Year 2 core modules Energy, forces and fields Matter and Materials Complex Dynamic Systems Living Systems Electromagnetism Thermal Physics Physical Chemistry Differential Equations Systems, Series and Transforms Quantum Mechanics Condensed Matter Organic Chemistry Differential Equations Systems, Series and Transforms Ecology and the Environment Environmental Feedbacks to Climate Change Observing the Universe Numerics and Optimisation Advanced Cell Biology Molecular Biology of the Gene Genomics and Biotechnology Analysis of Biological macromolecules Systems, Series and Transforms Elements of Chemistry in Biological Systems
Degree structure: year 3 Research project (NSC3001/NSC3002) Group project (NSC3003) Work together in a group of between five and eight and undertake a significant challenge (could be technical, or outreach related) Elective modules Including international study instead of Group project E.g. Mathematical Biology and Ecology, Fluid Dynamics, Mathematics of Climate Change etc
Degree structure: year 4 Research project (NSCM001) Elective modules Opportunity to extend the research project with the aim of publishing your results E.g. Dynamical Systems and Chaos, Pattern Recognition, Stars etc
Research projects Real research project in one of the University s research groups Runs over two years (MSci) Develops your analytical and problem-solving skills
My research Aim to investigate electronic and optical properties of graphene (2D sheet of carbon atoms) Research group consists of postdoctoral researchers, postgraduate students and 6 undergraduate project students
My project students Current density approx. 10,000 x higher than in a 100W tungsten filament bulb!
Natural Sciences at Exeter
Natural Sciences at Exeter Developed for students who have a genuine passion across different branches of science Scientific research at its core Opportunity to work alongside leading scientists Inspired by the University s interdisciplinary science research
Science at Exeter > 230 million investment in science, medicine and engineering Bringing researchers together to tackle some of the big issues of our time Climate change, water, food and energy security, an ageing society etc Want Natural Science students to be part of this
Other Information
Today s Programme Student life talks Research Speed Updating Small Group Research Discussions Offer holders only 3pm Tea and coffee All
Any questions? naturalsciences@exeter.ac.uk www.exeter.ac.uk/naturalsciences