Assessment of MPhys (Study Abroad / Professional Experience) Introductory Report and Plan

University of Exeter	Handbook (Physics)	Questions/Comments	Department (Physics)

Assessment of MPhys (Study Abroad / Professional Experience) Introductory Report and Plan

Each student will have their plan, and the subsequent report read by two assessors.

In accordance with the published Marking Strategy, each assessor should complete an individual pro-forma, on which comments are to be made and marks recorded. These, along with a further pro-forma of 'agreed marks' are to be returned to the Module Lead. All marks are subject to consistency checks and, if necessary moderation. The marks for this assessment contribute to the overall module mark in proportion to the weighting indicated in the module descriptor.

See also: Module Descriptors for PHY3205 or PHY3307.

Report Plan

The plan will be in the form of an expanded table of contents for the report (see below). Each section heading will be followed with: a brief summary of the proposed contents of that section, the references upon which it will be based, and a description of the figures to be included. A rationale for the selection of material is also required.

Immediately after the assessment, the project supervisor (who will be one of the assessors) must email formative feedback to the student and copy this to the Stage 3 Study Abroad Co-ordinator.

The overall mark for this assessment (out of 100) is obtained from marks given for the following three areas:

structure and presentation (maximum 33)
(section headings and presentation, selection of material specifically relevant to project, coherence and sequencing of material),
contents (maximum 33)
(correct identification of key: theories/experiments, references and figures, references to refereed primary sources),
justification of content (maximum 34)
(rationale for inclusion of selected material).

Mark Range	Qualities of Plan
28–33(34)	Exceptional. A plan that is difficult to fault, with the possible exception of one or two minor errors.
24–27	Excellent. No significant deficiencies, but a number of minor errors. Clear plan with a well defined focus, reflecting a very good knowledge of material and good competence in its critical assessment.
22–23	Very good. No more than one significant deficiency. Expected components present, with very good content, structure and presentation.
20–21	Focal level. Only one or two significant deficiencies. Expected components present, with good content, structure and presentation.
17–19	No major flaws, but a number of significant deficiencies. Expected components present in an acceptable form.
14–16	Threshold level. Only one or two major flaws. Expected components present in a recognisable form.
6–13	A number of major flaws. Lacking in overall structure. Evidence of a lack of basic knowledge and critical ability.
0–5	Nothing approaching an acceptable report plan.

Report

The overall mark for this assessment (out of 100) is obtained from marks given for the following three areas:

coverage (maximum 33)
(completeness in terms of expected components: brief abstract, introduction describing aims and scientific context of whole project, general physics background relevant to student's part of project, specific physics background to proposed work, future plans, etc.),
content (maximum 34)
(appropriateness of material, scientific and literary accuracy of the text and diagrams),
structure and presentation (maximum 33)
(overall coherence and sequencing of material; overall appearance and accessibility of the text and diagrams).

Mark Range	Qualities of Report
28–33(34)	Exceptional. A report that is difficult to fault, with the possible exception of one or two minor errors.
24–27	Excellent. No significant deficiencies, but a number of minor errors. Clear text and diagrams with a well defined focus, reflecting a good knowledge of material and good competence in its critical assessment.
22–23	Very good. No more than one significant deficiency. Expected components present, with good content, structure and presentation.
20–21	Focal level. Only one or two significant deficiencies. Expected components present, with good content, structure and presentation.
17–19	No major flaws, but a number of significant deficiencies. Expected components present in an acceptable form.
14–16	Threshold level. Only one or two major flaws. Expected components present in a recognisable form.
6–13	A number of major flaws. Lacking in overall structure. Evidence of a lack of basic knowledge and critical ability.
0–5	Nothing approaching an acceptable report.

University of Exeter	Handbook (Physics)	Questions/Comments	Department (Physics)