PHY3122 Project and Dissertation
2007-2008
Code: PHY3122
Title: Project and Dissertation
Instructors:
Dr P.G. Petrov and Research Group Staff
CATS credits: 30
ECTS credits: 15
Availability: MPhys programmes only
Level: 3
Pre-requisites: N/A
Co-requisites: N/A
Background Assumed: N/A
Duration: Semesters I and II
Directed Study Time: 108 hours
Private Study Time: 192 hours
Assessment Tasks Time: -
Observation report: awaiting notification
Aims
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, 70-credit project
extending over the third and fourth years of MPhys programmes. PHYM415
forms the second part.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Students should be able to:
Module Specific Skills
- perform a literature search and successfully discern the relevant
from the irrelevant, and the reliable from the unreliable;
- work co-operatively within a research team, keep a professional log book
which is neat, accurate and objective;
- demonstrate an awareness of the general requirements of safety regulations;
- 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;
- appropriately complete risk assessment forms (such as those published by the School or the
University Safety Office)
a required by their particular project;
- include consideration of safety aspects in the design of
experiments;
Discipline Specific Skills
- undertake independent background research;
- give a scientific talk which conforms to accepted standards of
presentation;
Personal and Key Skills
- time-management;
- working with others;
- report writing;
- keep a research notebook;
- communicate by means of oral and written presentations;
- appropriate use of information technology.
Learning and Teaching Methods
Supervised project work, self-study.
Assignments
Background review and report, weekly reports as detailed below.
Assessment
Oral Presentation (7%), written report and viva voce (28%),
laboratory work and viva voce (65%).
Syllabus Plan and Content
Students will work in one of the existing main research
groups in the School. Over the period of the project, they will learn what it
means to work in an active research group. The students will not only develop
research skills and communication skills but also gain valuable experience in
team work. Between two and four students will work on a particular research
topic, and within a group the students will work in pairs.
Note: All students should refer to the detailed description of the
MPhys projects and assessment
criteria in the School Handbook.
- Background
In weeks 1-4 of the Michaelmas Term the students will spend one day per
week in background reading, team discussions and laboratory
demonstrations, and in week 6 each student will give an assessed
presentation on his or her individual progress.
- Project Proposal
In weeks 5-10 of the Michaelmas Term each student will be engaging in
team discussions of the project work. Again, one day per week will be
assigned to this work. Each student will prepare an individual
introductory report on the project, to be completed in week 9.
In week 10 of the Michaelmas Term each student's introductory report
will be discussed by the student and the project supervisors, and will
be assessed.
- Project Work
In weeks 14-20 (in the Lent term) and weeks 21-23 (in the Trinity Term)
the students will spend an average of 1.5 days per week on project
work,
making a total of 15 days. In week 28 of the Trinity term (after the
examinations, which end in week 27) a further 5 days' work will be
done.
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, of 15 minutes duration,
on the Monday of week 29.
In the remainder of the Trinity term of year 3 (four days of week 29 and
the whole of week 30) the students will work a further 9 days on the
project. This work contributes nine credits to be carried forward to the
fourth year module
PHYM415.
Core Text
Not applicable
Supplementary Text(s)
Not applicable
Formative Mechanisms
Students have a weekly supervision meeting with their supervisor(s).
Evaluation Mechanisms
Feedback from students on the module forms part of the weekly
supervision meetings. Students can also discuss matters with the second
assessor for their project or the
MPhys Projects
Co-ordinator.