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.

1. 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.
2. 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.

3. 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.