Bilkent University Quality Management in Education

Bachelor of Science in Physics

Foundation

1989

Qualification Awarded

Bachelor of Science in Physics

Level of Qualification

First Cycle Degree

Mode of Study

Full Time

Admission & Registration Requirements

To begin undergraduate studies at Bilkent, all Turkish citizens must take the entrance examinations YKS, administered by the national Student Selection and Placement Center (ÖSYM). Based on the results of this exam, ÖSYM places students according to their preferences.
All international students who want to apply to Bilkent University for an undergraduate program have to go through an admission procedure. Various national exams and diplomas are used in evaluating the candidates.
In absence of these documents, the high school graduation score can also be evaluated for admission. The high school diploma and transcript along with an explanation of the high school's grading system will be needed.
English is the language of teaching at Bilkent University. Applicants are required to provide proof of their proficiency in English. Students whose level of English is insufficient to follow courses are required to enroll in the School of English Language.

Assessment of Student Performance

Apart from work conducted throughout the semester, students are usually asked to take a final examination and at least one midterm examination for a course. If a staff member considers it appropriate, practical laboratory work or other such assignments may be assessed as midterm examinations or as a final examination.

Grades are finalized when they are announced via the internet on the date specified in the Academic Calendar. Semester grades for practical studies and other non-lecture courses are determined by an evaluation of the student's overall work and performance throughout the semester.

Bilkent University's official grading system uses letter grades with pluses and minuses. Passing grades range from A+ to D; F, FX is failing. The quality-point equivalents of the grades are:

  A+   4.00   B+   3.30   C+   2.30   D+   1.30   F   0.00
  A   4.00   B   3.00   C   2.00   D   1.00   FX   0.00
  A-   3.70   B-   2.70   C-   1.70           FZ   0.00

Other grades used are S (Satisfactory), U (Unsatisfactory), I (Incomplete), P (In Progress), T (Transfer), and W (Withdraw). These grades do not have quality-point equivalents.

S : accorded to students who are successful in non-credit courses.
     
U : accorded to students who are unsuccessful in non-credit courses.
     
I : accorded to students who, although otherwise successful, have failed to complete the required assignments for a course due to illness or some other valid reason. Proof of illness or other reason for non-completion must be submitted to the department chair within three days of the date of the final exam. A student receiving an incomplete grade for any course must make up for the deficiencies within 15 days after the final exam in order to obtain a grade. Otherwise, the grade I automatically becomes FX. At the discretion of the department chair, the period specified above may be extended until the beginning of the following semester.
     
P : progress.
     
T : reflects approved transferred courses from other universities or from an exchange program. A student with a grade of T is exempted from an equivalent number of credits on the condition that the courses are accepted by the department on the recommendation of the department chair and with the approval of the board of the faculty/school. This grade may provide an exemption for a particular course at the program.
     
W : student has withdrawn from the course before the end of the semester.

A student with extraordinary performance in a course may be granted an A+ grade. However, the number of A+ grades in a given course is limited based on class size: If the class size is less than 25 students, no A+ grades may be given; if the class size is between 25 and 74 students, only one A+ grade may be given; if the class size is between 75 and 124 students, two A+ grades may be given; if the class size is between 125 and 174 students, three A+ grades may be given; if the class size is between 175 and 225 students, four A+ grades may be given; if the class size is more than 225 students, five A+ grades may be given. (The letter grade A+ was instituted beginning with the 2010-2011 academic year.)

An undergraduate student who receives a grade of C or higher in a course (or S in a non-credit course) is considered to have satisfactorily completed that course.

A student who receives a grade of C-, D+, or D in a course can only be considered to have completed that course if his/her Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is 2.00 or higher.

A student receiving either F, FX, FZ, or U in a course is considered to be unsuccessful in that course. Students who have failed a course in the curriculum program must repeat the course within the following two semesters. Those who fail first year English courses must repeat these courses the very next semester they are offered. The university may register a student to these courses and not allow for a course to be dropped. Students on probation who received C-, D+ or D grades in previous semesters may repeat any of these courses.

In addition to taking the required courses in a given semester, students with "Satisfactory" standing may also repeat courses taken in the previous two semesters for which they received a B-, C+, C, C-, D+ or D grade, provided there is room in the section. Registration to these courses takes place on the dates as announced by the Rectorate.

On condition that at least one course of all curriculum requirements of an elective set has already been taken, an elective course from this elective set can be taken in place of courses taken before for this elective requirement. In this case, the previously taken elective course will appear in the transcript but will not be included in the CPA calculation. Once established, such course matching cannot be changed. The previously taken elective course can be repeated to fulfill another curriculum requirement.

A student's academic performance is determined at the end of each semester by computing an average of the grades he/she has received during that semester. For each course, the grade point equivalent of the letter grade received by the student is multiplied by the credit units for that course; the sum of these products is then divided by the total credit units taken in that semester to yield the Grade Point Average (GPA) for that semester. The Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) is calculated by multiplying the grade point equivalent of the letter grade by the credit units for each course and then dividing the total sum by the total credit units taken in the program.

National Degree Qualifications

Natural Sciences Basic Field Qualifications (Academic Weighted) - 6th Level - Bachelor's
NQF-HETR
LEVEL
KNOWLEDGE
- Theoretical
- Conceptual
SKILLS
- Cognitive
- Practical
COMPETENCES
Competence to Work
Independently and
Take Responsibility
Learning Competence Communication and Social
Competence
Field Specific Competence
6th Level Bachelor's

EQF-LLL:
6th Level

QF-EHEA:
1st Cycle
Qualifications that signify completion of the sixth cycle are awarded to students who
K1. Having advanced theoretical and practical knowledge that emphasizes scientific approach supported by course books, practice tools and other resources containing current information in the field.
S1. Adapting and transferring the field knowledge to secondary education.
S2. Using advanced theoretical and practical knowledge in the field.
S3. Renewing the knowledge depending on the actual circumstances.
S4. Commenting on and assessing data using the advanced knowledge and skills acquired in the field; defining, analyzing and bring solutions to the problems parallel to the actual technologic developments based on evidence.
S5. Having the skills to conceptualize the events and facts in the field; examining them with scientific methods and technics.
S6. Designing and realizing experiments, gathering data, analyzing and commenting on the results for the investigation of problems.
W1. Running an upper level study independently in the field.
W2. Taking responsibility individually and as a group member to solve unpredicted complicated problems occurring in field practices.
W3. Planning and managing the activities for the improvement of the workers under one’s responsibility within a project framework.
W4. Taking part in decision making processes for problems in different discipline areas.
W5. Using time effectively in achieving results through analytic thinking skills.
L1. Critically evaluating the advanced knowledge and skills acquired in the field.
L2. Determining learning needs and redirecting education.
L3. Developing positive attitude towards lifelong learning.
L4. Having the awareness for the necessity of lifelong learning and constantly developing professional knowledge and skills.
C1. Informing the related persons and organizations in subjects regarding the field and expressing opinions and proposals for solutions to the problems orally and in a written way.
C2. Sharing the opinions and solutions to problems supported by quantitative and qualitative data on subjects related to the field with experts and others.
C3. Arranging and implementing projects and activities for the society with respect to social responsibility awareness.
C4. Keeping track of the developments in the field and communicating with colleagues by speaking a foreign language at least on European Language Portfolio B1general level.
C5. Using informatics and communication technologies together with computer software required by the field at least at European Computer Driving License advanced level.
C6. Using the field knowledge on human health and environmental awareness for the benefit of the society.
F1. Following social, scientific, cultural and ethical values in gathering, commenting on and applying data in the field and announcing the results.
F2. Having sufficient awareness on universality of social rights, social justice, complying with and participating in quality management and processes (instead of quality culture), protecting cultural values and environment, occupational health and security.

Education Objectives

Graduates of the program are expected to attain or achieve one or more of the following program educational objectives within a few years of graduation: PEO1: PHYS graduates will be distinguished in their careers as prominent researchers in academic or industrial settings. PEO2: PHYS graduates will apply their analytical thinking skills and technical expertise to solve complex problems in various fields. PEO3: PHYS graduates will assess their level of information related to their problems and engage in lifelong learning to improve their knowledge and skills. PEO4: PHYS graduates will obtain graduate degrees (M.S. and Ph.D) by contributing to basic science and/or technology.

Program Outcomes

  1. a. Recognize universal physical laws relevant to a given problem, apply these laws through mathematical and computational techniques.
  2. b. Critically assess the source, reliability and limits of validity of scientific knowledge.
  3. c. Use the scientific method to design, execute and analyze experiments.
  4. d. Demonstrate problem solving ability using technological resources and analytical thinking with proper time management.
  5. e. Develop writing and communication skills necessary to effectively organize ideas and thoughts, and to convey them to various audiences
  6. f. Participate efficiently in interdisciplinary work, taking decisions both individually and as a group member.
  7. g. Identify the global impact of physics in societal, economic and environmental contexts.
  8. h. Evaluate current state of knowledge and refine a plan to acquire new knowledge for specific goals.
  9. i. Demonstrate professional and ethical responsibility, value occupational health and workplace safety.
  10. j. Take advantage of the campus life where students are engaged in diversity, creativity, and commitment outside coursework through artistic, cultural, sportive, and intellectual activities

Program Outcomes/Degree Qualification Matrix

 Program Outcomes
Qualification(a)(b)(c)(d)(e)(f)(g)(h)(i)(j)
K1
S1
S2
S3
S4
S5
S6
W1
W2
W3
W4
W5
L1
L2
L3
L4
C1
C2
C3
C4
C5
C6
F1
F2

Program Curriculum

First Year
Autumn Semester
Course Code Course Name Hours Credits Prerequisite Options
Lecture Lab/Studio
/Others
Bilkent ECTS
CHEM 101 Principles of Chemistry I 3 4 4 6,5
ENG 101 English and Composition I 5 0 3 5
GE 100 Orientation 0 0 1 2
MATH 101 Calculus I 4 0 4 6,5
PHYS 101 General Physics I 3 3 4 6,5
PHYS 120 Orientation for Physics Majors 1 0 1 2
TURK 101 Turkish I 0 0 2 3,5
 
Spring Semester
Course Code Course Name Hours Credits Prerequisite Options
Lecture Lab/Studio
/Others
Bilkent ECTS
CS 115 Introduction to Programming in Python 3 4 4 6,5
ENG 102 English and Composition II 5 0 3 5 ELS 101 or ENG 101 or ENG 103
MATH 102 Calculus II 4 0 4 6,5 MATH 101 or MATH 106
PHYS 102 General Physics II 3 3 4 6,5 MATH 101 or MATH 111 or MATH 113 or PHYS 101 or PHYS 111
PHYS 124 Freshman Project 1 3 2 3,5
TURK 102 Turkish II 0 0 2 3,5
Second Year
 
Autumn Semester
Course Code Course Name Hours Credits Prerequisite Options
Lecture Lab/Studio
/Others
Bilkent ECTS
CHEM 201 Materials Science and Technology 3 0 3 5
GE 250 Collegiate Activities Program I 0 0 0 1
HIST 200 History of Turkey 3 0 4 6,5
MATH 241 Engineering Mathematics I 4 0 4 6,5 MATH 102
MBG 110 Introduction to Modern Biology 3 0 3 5
PHYS 211 Waves, Optics and Thermodynamics 3 0 4 6,5 MATH 102 and PHYS 102
 
Spring Semester
Course Code Course Name Hours Credits Prerequisite Options
Lecture Lab/Studio
/Others
Bilkent ECTS
GE 251 Collegiate Activities Program II 0 0 1 2 GE 250
MATH 242 Engineering Mathematics II 4 0 4 6,5 MATH 241
PHYS 212 Modern Physics 3 0 4 6,5
PHYS 218 Analytical Mechanics 3 0 3 5 MATH 241
PHYS 242 Advanced Calculus for Applications in Physics 3 0 3 5 MATH 241
Elective 3
Third Year
 
Autumn Semester
Course Code Course Name Hours Credits Prerequisite Options
Lecture Lab/Studio
/Others
Bilkent ECTS
COMD 358 Professional Communication 3 0 3 5
HUM 111 Cultures Civilizations and Ideas I 3 0 3 5 ENG 101
PHYS 291 Summer Practice 0 0 0 7
PHYS 315 Electromagnetic Theory I 3 0 3 5 MATH 242 and PHYS 212 and PHYS 242
PHYS 325 Quantum Mechanics I 3 0 3 5 MATH 242 and PHYS 212 and PHYS 242
PHYS 371 Numerical Methods in Physics 3 0 3 5 MATH 242 and PHYS 212 and PHYS 242
 
Spring Semester
Course Code Course Name Hours Credits Prerequisite Options
Lecture Lab/Studio
/Others
Bilkent ECTS
HUM 112 Cultures Civilizations and Ideas II 3 0 3 5 HUM 111 or HUM 121
PHYS 334 Statistical Physics 3 0 3 5 MATH 242 and PHYS 212 and PHYS 242
PHYS 374 Experimental Methods of Physics 3 3 4 6,5 PHYS 212
Elective 3
Physics Elective 3
Fourth Year
 
Autumn Semester
Course Code Course Name Hours Credits Prerequisite Options
Lecture Lab/Studio
/Others
Bilkent ECTS
PHYS 491 Senior Project I 0 4 4 6,5 MATH 242 and PHYS 218 and PHYS 242
Elective 3
Physics Elective 3
Social Science Core Elective 3
Technical Elective 3
 
Spring Semester
Course Code Course Name Hours Credits Prerequisite Options
Lecture Lab/Studio
/Others
Bilkent ECTS
PHYS 492 Senior Project II 0 4 4 6,5 PHYS 315 and PHYS 325
Arts Core Elective 3
Elective 3
Physics Elective 3
Technical Elective (2) 6


Elective Courses in the Curriculum

Elective Count Program Outcomes Options
Arts Core Elective 1  
Elective 4  
Physics Elective 3  
Social Science Core Elective 1  
Technical Elective 3