Head of Department

Overall responsibility for the Department's teaching and student assessment is carried by the Head of Department. S/he is advised by the Physics Management Committee, which meets each month to decide on departmental strategy. S/he delegates responsibility to the Staff Meeting, the Teaching Committee and the Director of Studies.

Staff Meetings

All academic staff members attend Staff Meetings. A student representative, nominated by the SSLC, is invited to those parts of the meetings dealing with SSLC business. There is one scheduled meeting each term with additional meetings when these are required. The Staff Meeting reviews changes made to teaching implemented by the Teaching Committee. It also receives the minutes of the Staff Student Liaison Committee.

Director of Studies

The Director of Studies (DoS) is responsible for dealing with the implementation of all u/g teaching policies and the day-to-day running of the u/g teaching. The DoS is also responsible for allocating teaching duties to staff members; coordinating the annual review of the Department's teaching; preparing all formal documentation for the Science Undergraduate Studies Committee of the Board of the Faculty of Science (SUGS) relating to new modules and to major changes to the Department's teaching; and coordinating the preparation of the Department's reports for the ITLR, Institute of Physics accreditation etc.

Director of Student Experience

The Director of Student Experience (DoSE) is responsible for coordinating the support for students with special needs, overseeing the intervention strategy for students falling behind with coursework, running our VLE (Moodle). The DoSE organises a programme of events to encourage social interaction of staff and students. The DoSE also acts as Senior Tutor for Physics.

Teaching Committee

The Teaching Committee (TC) reports to the staff meeting. Its members include the Director of Student Experience, the Director of Studies, the Examinations Coordinator, the Head of Department and student representatives. The TC is responsible for coordinating the curriculum design and content; drafting any changes to the Department's teaching policies and the overall Aims and Learning Outcomes of the degree courses; considering suggestions from students and staff about how teaching and assessment can be improved; reviewing and improving students' pathways and year-to-year progression; approving all changes to the curriculum and informing Science Undergraduate Studies of the Board of the Faculty of Science; keeping staff and students informed of all developments both within the department and outside. There are three working groups, which report to the TLC on Laboratory teaching, on Computing and on Student Outcomes