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Study information

Independent Study - 2023 entry

MODULE TITLEIndependent Study CREDIT VALUE15
MODULE CODEPHYM005 MODULE CONVENERProf Tim Naylor (Coordinator)
DURATION: TERM 1 2 3
DURATION: WEEKS 11 11
Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated) 1
DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

The independent study module may be taken in either Term 1 or Term 2 and is an unconventional option available to Stage 4 students. The student must take responsibility for identifying the topic to be studied, planning a programme of study and the method and criteria by which and end product (normally a report) will be judged.

AIMS - intentions of the module
The module's aim is to enable the student to broaden their education and develop his/her skills in goal-setting and time-management by pursuing a completely self-defined programme of study
 
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:
 
Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
1. identify a piece of work which can be satisfactorily completed in a given amount of time;
2. define a critical path to accomplish the task;
3. communicate progress via short reports to a staff member acting as a mentor;
4. present results effectively in an oral, written or visual form (the final assessment can take one of a number of forms);
5. show evidence of critical self-appraisal through the submission of a 'self-assessment' of the accomplished work;
 
Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:
6. gain familiarity with new subject material entirely through independent study.
SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module
Students following this module will exercise their goal-setting and time-management skills extensively. They will learn how to define a critical path to deliver a stated result within a given time and develop skills in resourcing, selecting and organising relevant information. They will acquire the discipline to complete their self-defined goal within a time constraint. Equally importantly they will learn not to spend too much time on a project which constitutes only a fraction of their Stage 4 credit. Depending on their chosen form of assessment, they will exercise oral, written or poster presentation skills. They will learn to defend themselves in a viva and apply constructive self-criticism to their final work.
 
To satisfy the module requirement, the student must:
 
I. Identify a suitable piece of work to accomplish
II. Define and meet a series of intermediate goals
III. Produce a final result.
 
The entire exercise should take the equivalent of 10 hours per credit. The word length of written essays reports, etc. should be commensurate with Physics norm, i.e. 500 words per credit.
LEARNING AND TEACHING
LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)
Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities Guided Independent Study 150 Placement / Study Abroad
DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS
Category Hours of study time Description
Guided independent study 150 hours
Independent 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
Initial project plan (0%) 500 words (Term 1, Week 1/Term 2, Week 1) 1-2 Written and/or verbal
Progress reports (0%) 250 words (fortnightly) 3 Written and/or verbal
       
       
       

 

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)
Coursework 100 Written Exams 0 Practical Exams
DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT
Form of Assessment % of Credit Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length) ILOs Assessed Feedback Method
Report and viva 100% 7500 words (Term 2, Week 0/Term 3, Week 1) 4-6
Written and verbal
 
         
         
         
         
Notes:  The report and/or other end products will be assessed by two members of staff, and the student will normally required to attend an viva voce examination. This will be decided when the form of the end product of the independent study is agreed at the start of the module. In addition, students will be asked to make an evaluation of their own work, and this will be included in the assessment process. N.B. Students are not permitted to register for this module until the convener is satisfied that the project plan involves an appropriate amount and level of learning and will lead to a satisfactory end product.
 
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 15 ECTS VALUE 7.5
PRE-REQUISITE MODULES None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES None
NQF LEVEL (FHEQ) 7 AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING No
ORIGIN DATE Tuesday 7th December 2021 LAST REVISION DATE Thursday 26th January 2023
KEY WORDS SEARCH Physics; Time; Goal setting; Word; Management; Result; Work; Self criticism; Suitable piece; Form; Much time.

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