Problem-based learning: undergraduate physics by research

Problem-based learning (PBL) is an established pedagogy in many areas of education for the professions. Although there is an awareness of PBL in many departments of physics in the UK and many claim to include PBL-like instruction to some degree, it has made rather less impact in the physical sciences. This paper describes the aims of PBL and how these are implemented based on our experiences in Physics at the University of Leicester. It is not our purpose to discuss here the parochial details of this programme which are partly historical and adapted to local conditions. (The interested reader can find them on our web site.) Rather we look at general aspects of PBL in Physics in the light of our experience and that of others. In addition to numerous examples of PBL problems, our discussion includes the educational and philosophical underpinnings of PBL, the nature of the ‘problem’ in PBL, issues in facilitation and assessment as well as a brief review of the published evaluations of PBL. Space constraints mean we do not discuss the process of change management.