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Study information

Project and Dissertation - 2023 entry

MODULE TITLEProject and Dissertation CREDIT VALUE30
MODULE CODEPHY3122 MODULE CONVENERProf Matthew Bate (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11 3
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 40
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content
Students will work on a project linked to one of the existing main research groups in the Department. Over the period of the project, they will learn how to work as part of a research group. The students will not only develop research skills and communication skills but also gain valuable experience in team work. Typically, between two and four students will work on a particular research topic, and within a group the students will normally work in pairs.
 
AIMS - intentions of the module
A major distinguishing feature of the MPhys degree is its substantial project which requires students to apply the knowledge they have acquired to a real problem in a research environment. The aim is to foster the skills in open-ended problem solving necessary for the practising physicist. PHY3122 constitutes the first part of a two-part 75-credit project extending over Stages 3 and 4 of MPhys programmes. PHYM009 forms the second part.
 
INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)
A student who has passed this module should be able to:
 
Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
1. perform a literature search and successfully discern the relevant from the irrelevant, and the reliable from the unreliable;
2. give a scientific talk which conforms to conventional standards for a presentation;
3. demonstrate an awareness of the general requirements of safety regulations;
4. identify any specific hazards associated with their particular project and/or its environment, describe the associated procedures for safe working, and explain the rationale for such procedures;
5. appropriately complete risk assessment forms (such as those published by the Department or the University Safety Office) as applicable to their particular project;
6. include consideration of safety aspects in the design of experiments;
 
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
7. undertake independent background research;
8. write scientific reports;
9. keep a contemporaneous research notebook that is neat, accurate and objective;
 
Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:
10. communicate by means of oral and written presentations;
11. make appropriate use of information technology.
12. work productively and co-operatively in with others;
13. communicate clearly using a variety of methods;
14. meet deadlines for completion of work and apply appropriate time-management strategies.
SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
Note: All students should refer to the detailed description of the MPhys projects and assessment criteria in the Physics Handbook. The hours of work specified below are the core hours for groups to work together; the additional hours needed to correspond to 30 credits are spent individually analysing results, writing reports, etc.
 
I. Background Report and Project Planning
In weeks T2:01-05 of Term 2 students will spend 1.5 days per week in background reading, team discussions
 
II. Project Proposal
In weeks T2:06-09 each student will be engaging in team discussions of the project work. Again, 1.5 days per week will be assigned to this work. Each student will prepare an individual introductory report on the project, to be submitted by the deadline in the table of assessments.
 
III. Project Work 1
During weeks T2:10 and T2:11 students spend 1.5 days per week preparing for project work, e.g. by completing any training needed to use equipment/software.
 
IV. Project Work 2
In Term 3 of Stage  3 the students will work full-time on their project during the the final three weeks of term T3:05-07, i.e. a further 14 days.
 
Throughout the work each student will be responsible for keeping a record of his or her work in a research notebook (in the form of a detailed diary). The student will also produce (in the log book) a brief (one-page) weekly summary of the work completed in the previous week and a list of the tasks intended to be completed in the coming week. (A photocopy of this summary should be provided each week to the main supervisor.) This part of the project will be assessed by examination of the student's lab books, and an oral examination.
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities 240 Guided Independent Study 60 Placement / Study Abroad
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Scheduled learning & teaching activities 26 hours Supervision Meetings
Scheduled learning & teaching activities 214 hours 30.5 days of project work
Guided independent study 60 hours Reading and private study

 

ASSESSMENT
FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade
Form of Assessment Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Reports for supervisor (0%) Weekly (throughout project work) 3-7,9,11-14 Verbal
       
       
       
       

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 40 Written Exams 0 Practical Exams 60
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Oral presentation 15% 15 minutes (Term 2, Weeks 6 & 7) 1, 2, 7, 10, 11, 14 Written and verbal
Background report 40% 3000 words (Report deadline Term 2, Week 10) 1, 7, 8, 10, 11, 14 Written and verbal
Laboratory work and viva voce 45% 20-minute notebook discussion (Term 3, Week 6) 1, 3-7, 9, 11-14 Written and verbal
         
         

Notes:  Refer to the detailed description of the MPhys assessment criteria in the Physics Handbook.

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)
Re-assessment is not available except when required by referral or deferral.
 
RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Re-assessment is not available for this module.

RESOURCES
INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener
ELE:
 

Reading list for this module:

There are currently no reading list entries found for this module.

CREDIT VALUE 30 ECTS VALUE 15
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 6 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Thursday 15th December 2011 LAST REVISION DATE Thursday 26th January 2023
KEY WORDS SEARCH Physics; MPhys Project; Research; Safety; MPhys; Reports; Notebook.

Please note that all modules are subject to change, please get in touch if you have any questions about this module.