Competencies

Physics is a basic experimental science whose development is important for the science and technology system of any modern country, and therefore has a strong presence in all university systems in developed countries. Physics studies, however, apart from serving those students interested in integrating professionally into the research system, also provide them with a broad training that, as observed through studies carried out both at national and European level, provides a very high employment capacity. It is also observed that the spectrum of jobs carried out by graduates is very wide, as clearly stated in a report by the Official College of Physicists [1]. This indicates that the breadth and applicability of the skills acquired by Physics students is appreciated by society and goes beyond the training of future teaching and research staff. Due to the versatility it offers, it is important to continue to teach a varied and quality Physics degree.

Goals

  • To provide students with a solid and balanced basic education and practical skills that will enable them to become professionals with training both for job placement in any scientific or technological activity, and to continue more advanced training in the wide variety of specialized areas of Physics or in multidisciplinary areas.
  • To instill in students an interest in learning science, and physics in particular, which provides an intellectually stimulating and satisfying experience, as well as learning to value its applications to the development of society.
  • To provide students with fundamental knowledge in the basic subjects of Physics, helping them to understand the evolution and application of its theories and methods in different contexts.
  • To show students the relevance of Physics in the current scientific landscape, as well as the important role it plays in the technological development of our society. To instil in students a vision of Physics as an integral part of Education and Culture that allows them to recognize its presence in Nature through Science, Technology, History and Art.
  • To educate students in respect for fundamental rights and equality between men and women [2], in respect for and promotion of Human Rights as well as the principles of equal opportunities, non-discrimination and universal accessibility for people with disabilities [3] and in the values of education, in general, and those of a culture of peace and democracy [4].

General skills

  • CG1. Learn how to work in the laboratory, how to use the most commonly used instruments, technology and experimental methods, acquiring the skills and experience to carry out experiments independently. This will allow you to be able to observe, catalogue and model natural phenomena.
  • CG2. Acquire a solid theoretical, mathematical and numerical foundation that allows the application of Physics to the solution of complex problems through simple models.
  • CG3. Develop a clear perception of apparently different situations that show obvious physical analogies, which allows the application of known solutions to new problems. To do this, it is important that students, in addition to mastering physical theories, acquire a good knowledge and command of the most commonly used mathematical and numerical methods.
  • CG4. Develop the ability to identify the essential elements of a complex process or situation that allows you to build a simplified model that describes, with the necessary approximation, the object of study and allows you to make predictions about its future evolution. Likewise, you must be able to check the validity of the model by introducing the necessary modifications when discrepancies are observed between the predictions and the observations and/or the experimental results.
  • CG5. To understand the possibilities of applying Physics in the world of work, teaching and research, technological development and innovation, and in entrepreneurial activities.
  • CG6. Knowing how to organize and plan study and work time, both individually and in groups, will lead them to learn to work as a team and appreciate the added value that this entails.
  • CG7. Be able to participate in scientific debates and communicate, both orally and in writing, to a specialized or non-specialized audience on issues related to Science and Physics. You will also be able to use another language, relevant to Physics and Science in general, such as English, in spoken and written form.
  • CG8. Possess the necessary foundation to undertake further studies with a high degree of autonomy, both from a scientific background (undertaking a master's degree and/or doctorate) and from a professional activity.

Specific evaluable competencies

  1. Know and understand the basic conceptual schemes of Physics and experimental sciences.
  2. Know, understand and master the use of the most commonly used mathematical and numerical methods in Physics.
  3. Have a good understanding of the most important physical theories, locating in their logical and mathematical structure, their experimental support and the physical phenomenon that can be described through them.
  4. To know the most important milestones in the history of scientific thought and Physics in particular.
  5. Develop a panoramic view of current Physics and its applications.
  6. Have a good understanding of the current situation in at least one of the current specialties of physics.
  7. Check the interrelation between different scientific disciplines.
  8. Know the working world in which to develop what you have learned.
  9. Know the basic elements that are part of a project.
  10. Learn about funding agencies for innovation projects and how to apply for them.
  11. Acquire skills in mathematical modeling of physical phenomena.
  12. Observe natural phenomena and conduct scientific experiments.
  13. To systematically and reliably record scientific information.
  14. Analyze, synthesize, evaluate and describe scientific information and data.
  15. Measure essential magnitudes in scientific experiments.
  16. Evaluate and quantitatively analyze experimental results.
  17. Prepare reports summarizing the results of scientific experiments and their most important conclusions.
  18. Use current scientific instrumentation and learn about its innovative technologies.
  19. Develop physical “intuition”.
  20. Use computer tools in the context of applied mathematics.
  21. Learn to program in a language relevant to scientific calculations.
  22. Learn to use the computer as a basic tool for scientific calculations and numerical modeling.
  23. Being able to clearly assess orders of magnitude, as well as develop a clear perception of situations that are physically different, but show analogies, allowing the use of known solutions to new problems.
  24. Facing problems and generating new ideas that can solve them.
  25. Be able to carry out experiments independently.
  26. Master oral and written expression in Spanish, as well as in English, aimed at both specialized and general audiences.
  27. Having developed skills for the popularization of issues concerning scientific culture and aspects applied to classical and modern physics.
  28. Acquire habits of ethical behavior in scientific laboratories and university classrooms.
  29. Organize and plan study and work time, both individually and in groups.
  30. Know how to discuss concepts, problems and experiments, defending your arguments with solidity and scientific rigor.
  31. Knowing how to listen and value the arguments of other classmates.
  32. Knowing how to work and integrate into a multidisciplinary scientific team
  33. Be able to identify the essential aspects of a process/situation and establish a working model for it.
  34. Begin supervised research work, developing the ability to carry it out independently.
  35. Knowing how to behave in the work world related to the degree.
  36. Know how to write an innovation project and manage the funding request.

[1] See Annex 4 of the White Paper

[2]  In accordance with the provisions of Law 3/2007, of March 22, for the effective equality of women and men and also in accordance with the general guidelines issued by the European Commission for activities related to teaching and research training.

[3] Collected in Law 51/2003, of December 2.

[4] According to Law 27/2005, of November 30.