The Teaching programme
To be an effective and stimulating teacher of physics in schools you need to have a depth and breadth of knowledge in your subject and an ability to communicate it to young people in both a theoretical and a practical setting. You need also to be aware of physics as one branch of increasingly connected science ("broad science") and to be aware of where your subject is a part of science and society issues. This programme therefore emphasises interdisciplinary links and emphasises opportunities for you to communicate your growing appreciation of the subject. The close partnership which has developed between the Sussex School of Education and the Sussex Chemistry and Physics Departments will enable pre-ITT students on the Course to engage both with cutting edge developments in physics and physical techniques and with the wider "science in context" requirements of current school science programmes.

By the end of the course, we hope that you will be able to:

• demonstrate a sound knowledge of core aspects of physics
• show a high level of competence at practical physics;
• explain conceptual models of the character and behaviour of matter and radiation at successively deeper levels of sophistication;
• discuss aspects of physics in the applied worlds of commerce, the environment and space;
• appreciate some of the landmarks in the history of physics.

You will then be ready to train as an effective, challenging and up-to-date teacher of your subject, confident with school level material and able to inspire pupils to pursue science at stimulating and ever higher levels. The University of Sussex is well known as a successful provider of Initial Teacher Training. Our PGCE and GTP science courses are highly rated, both by OFSTED and by participants. In addition, the Training and Development Agency for Schools (TDA) has funded our science support courses and "booster" courses, which focus on conceptually difficult areas. These have enabled a range of students over several years to redress gaps in their scientific knowledge and proceed successfully to teacher training. It was from this background that the TDA selected Sussex as one of two universities in the UK to pilot a Chemistry Enhancement course in 2005 and 2006. We are now funded to offer our successful model in a Physics Enhancement Course in addition.

Most students have found our Enhancement Courses demanding but very enjoyable and rewarding. They are taught mostly by science tutors from the Sussex School of Education and partly by staff from the Department of Physics. Our newly furnished initial teacher education suite is located in the Physics and Astronomy and Chemistry Departments building so that we benefit from all their sophisticated and state-of-the-art equipment and expertise as well as our own education resources. The teaching - and learning - is through a mixture of seminars, laboratory practicals and workshops combined with independent study and group work. This encourages you to be active and to learn from one another. It assists in the development of critical thinking, decision making and problem solving skills and provides a useful foundation for teacher training.

Learning Objectives and Syllabus Details
Our Physics Enhancement Course is formally divided into six major modules but there will be overlap between them to ensure deep learning of connections and consequences. The modules cover the major areas of physics and astrophysics under the labels of Molecular Theory, Mechanics, Electricity and Magnetism, More Waves and Fields, Quantum & Relativistic Phenomena, Astronomy and Cosmology . There will be considerable weighting within these topics on developing your practical experience and skills. Alongside these modules will be an on-going programme to advance your mathematical and IT skills. Over a period of six months, we will be able to visit most major areas of physics and astrophysics and electronics, view some of their connections with science in general, and find time to debate some related current science and society issues. From whatever level you start, you will be surprised at how much further you can take your appreciation, knowledge and understanding of Physics. View the Course Content for more details of the topics.

Assessment
Assessment is tuned to the adage that to know something is to be able to teach it. Assessments will therefore be linked to presentations and demonstrations of theoretical, interdisciplinary and practical aspects of physics, as well as to traditional, knowledge-based testing. With the very varied experience and achievement in Physics expected amongst our students, this combination of presenting and communicating the subject should work effectively and it has given previous Enhancement Course students the confidence they have needed to know that they really are "enhanced".

Student Support
The University has a Student Advisor system. Student Advisors are designated to work with students in each School. Student Advisors are available by appointment or at publicised drop-in times, and are responsible for the overall welfare and progress of all students registered for programmes with the Schools. They can help with personal difficulties, for instance financial, welfare, homesickness, housing and health problems. A key part of their role is to ensure that support requirements for disabled students are met within the School. The Course teachers will see the group for a significant part of each week and so have knowledge of each of your circumstances and progress. Other Education Department Science Curriculum Tutors are experienced in this area through their involvement in Initial Teacher Education programmes. They will also be available for consultation and advice, and to help assess your progress across each component of the programme and to give advice on preparation for your ITT year. On line tutor support will be available, and the Course Leader will also be available by telephone at any time. Beyond these levels, the full panoply of the University Student Welfare system is available to Enhancement Course students.