3 ECTS credits
90 h study time
Offer 3 with catalog number 1019736ANR for all students in the 1st and 2nd semester at a (A) Bachelor - preliminary level.
Module Physics and Astronomy:
This module consists of 2 parts:
Part II: "Mathematical skills for Fysicists", in the first weeks of the first semester 20 hours will be devoted to practice with elementary university calculus like solving differential equations, integration, etc .. to prepare the students for the other courses of the bachelor "Physics and Astronomy ".
Part II: "Present day Physics, Astronomy and Society"(max 70 hours studytime spread over the 2 semesters). This course is like no other in the 1BA program Physics and Astronomy. The goal of this course is to get to get acqainted with the problems in present day Physics and Astronomy and the jobmarket in these fields. For example we'll be meeting Physisists working both in and outside the university.
The following compulsary activities are foreseen for the students in the academic year 2012-2013 (to be confirmed, please consult the website of the department):
On a monthly basis, students will also be asked to consult a popularizing scientific magazine in a foreign language (English or French ) such as Scientific American or La Recherche and to choose one paper ( (Title, author, referentce) that they found particularly interesting. At the end of May , the titular will make a choice out of this list of at lesat six papers. The selected paper will be presented and discussed by the student in front of all his/her colleagues .
There is no traditional exam for this part of the course. The evalution is based on the quality of the paper presentation and the portfolio of activity reports.
Module Mathematics:
During appr. four lectures, given by invited national and international experts, the students learn about recent developments within applied and fundamental mathematics. With regards to the collaboration of European Universities 'Eutopia' there is also planned an interactive discussion moment, in the framework of `working with data'. Also a tutorial of the software package MATLAB is given. Within this course a short introduction to the theory of differential equations will be given.
Module Chemistry:
The lecture section deals with current research in chemistry and its relevance to society and the problems it faces. In the first three lectures the students get acquainted with a) chemistry and the role the chemical industry plays in Flanders, b) the scientific method to solve problems and c) scientific publications and literature. In the second block of four lectures the students get acquainted with the individual research groups at the VUB, their research domains and methods, and how these research groups deal with current social problems.
In the practical work section, a topic of choice (within the context of the course) is further explored by making critical use of modern sources of information. This is then presented in class via a powerpoint presentation.
In the independent work section, students attend two seminars or lectures (internally at the VUB or externally such as Solvay or KVCV lectures). Participation in the seminars is documented by a written report.
Module Physics: none
Module Mathematics: syllabus on MATLAB is available.
Module Chemistry: The slides of the lectures are available on Canvas.
Module Physics:
Cognitive: Acquaint primary knowledge on various aspects of modern cutting-edge research in physics. Getting insight in the knowledge needed to undertake such research.
Affective: Enhance enthusiasm for physics research to increase the motivation for further study.
Skills: Reading, writing and talking on physics, and presenting a physics concept.
Module Mathematics:
Same as Physics, with "Physics" replaced by "Mathematics"
Module Chemistry:
Same as Physics, with "Physics" replaced by "Chemistry"
The final grade is composed based on the following categories:
Other Exam determines 100% of the final mark.
Within the Other Exam category, the following assignments need to be completed:
Module Physics:
Attendance of the seminars, participation in the visit
Summary of a seminar, abstracts of the other seminars
Summary of a physics paper publish in a magazine or journal
Module Mathematics:
Compulsory attendance of lectures given by (inter)national experts is required. The students participate to the discussion moment, or an oral presentation is given on one of the seminars which delves deeper into the subject. Project on MATLAB
Module Chemistry:
The HOC and WPO parts are assessed on the basis of the powerpoint presentation (50% of the final score).
The ZELF part is assessed through the written report (50% of the final score).
This offer is part of the following study plans:
Bachelor of Physics and Astronomy: Default track (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Chemistry: Default track (only offered in Dutch)
Bachelor of Mathematics and Data Science: Standaard traject (only offered in Dutch)