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Program Physics Astronomy

Program-specific competencies Program-specific competencies are the knowledge, skills and attributes that are valuable in your specific program area—from microbiology to mechanical engineering to music and everything in between! These competencies can help you describe your skills and experience—and demonstrate your value to employers on your résumé and in interviews.

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Toni D.
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67 views

Program Physics Astronomy

Program-specific competencies Program-specific competencies are the knowledge, skills and attributes that are valuable in your specific program area—from microbiology to mechanical engineering to music and everything in between! These competencies can help you describe your skills and experience—and demonstrate your value to employers on your résumé and in interviews.

Uploaded by

Toni D.
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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What competencies do physics and astronomy students gain?

Physics and Astronomy


Program-specific competencies
Competencies are the skills, knowledge and attributes gained through every work, educational, volunteer
and life experience. UVic students in the Physics and Astronomy program develop the following program-
specific competencies.

Physics and astronomy knowledge


Develops knowledge of physical laws and principles and the use of analytical methods to analyze explain
and predict the workings of the physical world
• Understands the fundamental physical laws and principles of diverse areas of physics
including mechanics, relativity, oscillatory and wave motion, electricity and magnetism, optics,
thermodynamics, quantum and particle physics, and statistical mechanics
• Uses mathematics to describe the physical world
• Makes explicit assumptions and approximations
• Develops mathematical models capable of predicting outcomes or behaviours of physical systems
• Plans, carries out, analyzes and reports the results of an experiment or investigation using
appropriate analytical methods
• Evaluates uncertainties and compares results with expected outcomes, and relates conclusions to
physical models
• Critically compares results of predictive calculations with those from experimentation or observation
• Applies principles of physics to specific complex topics including astronomy and astrophysics,
medical physics, geophysics, ocean and atmospheric physics, and solid-state physics

Scientific method
Understands and uses the principles of the scientific method and the application of experimental techniques to
solve specific problems

• Uses effective literature search strategies and critically evaluates the scientific literature
• Gathers empirical and measurable evidence through observation and experimentation
• Analyzes data
• Formulates a clear, answerable question
• Uses inductive reasoning and deductive methods to develop a testable, falsifiable hypothesis and
predict expected results
• Designs quantitative approaches and experiments to test and evaluate hypothesis
• Observes and records the results of the research
• Uses mathematical and statistical methods and analytical tools to evaluate the data
• Draws conclusions
• Communicates the results and ideas in scientific reports and papers and oral presentations and/or
conducts further research
• Develops written and oral skills that enable clear and effective communication.
Computation
Develops and uses scientific software to support research endeavors

• Creates, modifies and utilizes scientific software


• Develops and uses computation modeling as a proxy for physical experimentation
• Develops and uses computational methods to analyze large data sets

Field work
Conducts research in the field

• Observes behavior, properties of subjects and phenomena of interest in situ


• Makes measurements of the subjects, phenomena or their environment
• Identifies and collects samples for analysis
• Operates and uses equipment, tools and machinery appropriately

Laboratory work
Uses practical and safe techniques within a laboratory setting

• Uses safe and careful practices at all times


• Keeps accurate laboratory records
• Takes precise and accurate measurements and gains appreciation of potential sources of error
associated with laboratory measurements
• Trouble shoots and optimizes methods and techniques
• Develops methods and procedures
• Analyzes, modifies and characterizes compounds, samples or devices
• Uses instrumentation appropriately, including maintaining, calibrating and troubleshooting
equipment
• Gains experience critically evaluating data generated

Education and training


Instructs co-workers in scientific procedure

• Teaches scientific concepts and knowledge at a level appropriate to the audience


• Trains and supervises others to perform scientific and laboratory procedures

UVic Co-op and Career worked with the Department of Physics and Astronomy to develop this competency
document.

Discover career resources and support at www.uvic.ca/coopandcareer


Find job postings, events and more at learninginmotion.uvic.ca

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