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A first stage of PPLATO is to survey physics departments in the UK to investigate current practice and solutions to the problems of teaching mathematics to physics undergraduates and widening participation in undergraduate physics.  We would be very grateful if you would complete this questionnaire or pass it on to the appropriate member of your department.  All replies will be treated in the strictest confidence and an anonymous synthesis of views will appear later. Some questions may not have simple clear-cut answers but please provide as much information as you can since even partial answers are useful. Completed questionnaires should be returned to:

 

Dr R J Turton

Department of Physics,

University of Newcastle upon Tyne

Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU

 

Telephone: 0191 2227349                    Fax number: 0191 2227361

e-mail contact                        r.j.turton@ncl.ac.uk

 

Many thanks for your help

 

 

 

            Mike Tinker                                     Richard Turton            on behalf of PPLATO


Institution:                                                                   Contact person:

 

 

1.                  Do you accept students into Level 1 (i.e. the first year of a 3 year BSc) of your Physics degree with mathematics qualifications at a standard other than
A-level (e.g. AS-level, Scottish Highers or International Baccalaureate)?

 

If so, please give details:

 

 

 

 

2.                  Do you accept students into Level 1 (i.e. the first year of a 3 year BSc) of your Physics degree with physics qualifications at a standard other than A-level (e.g. AS-level, Scottish Highers or International Baccalaureate)?

 

If so, please give details:

 

 

 

 

3.                  Do you have any special arrangements for Widening Participation in your degree courses (e.g. reduced entry requirements, additional classes, etc)?

 

If so, please give details:

 

 

 

 

4.                  Do you offer a Foundation Year programme (i.e. a 4 year BSc)?

 

If so,

approximately what proportion of the teaching is devoted to maths?

 

 

 

and what proportion to physics?

 

 

 

what forms of teaching are used (other than lectures)?

 

 

 

Is it taught on your site or on a collaborator’s site?

 

 

 

 

5.                  Do you use diagnostic testing to measure the mathematical ability of incoming students?

 

If so, please give details:

 

 

 

6.                  Do you offer targeted teaching/supplementary support in maths to less prepared students?

 

If so,

how do you select which students need this teaching?

 

 

 

what form does the teaching take?

 

 

 

roughly what proportion of your incoming students requires this supplementary teaching?

 

 

7.                  Do you offer targeted teaching/supplementary support in physics to less prepared students?

 

If so,

how do you select which students need this teaching?

 

 

 

what form does the teaching take?

 

 

 

roughly what proportion of your incoming students requires this supplementary teaching?

 

 

8.                  Do you offer any supplementary teaching (in maths or physics) beyond Level 1?

 

If so, please give details.