PHY3138 Projects and Dissertations

2007-2008

Code: PHY3138
Title: Projects and Dissertations
Instructors: Dr P. Vukusic
CATS credits: 30
ECTS credits: 15
Availability: unrestricted
Level: 3
Pre-requisites: N/A
Co-requisites: N/A
Background Assumed: For experimental projects: Practical Physics II (PHY2017)
Duration: Semesters I and II
Directed Study Time: 180 hours
Private Study Time: 120 hours
Assessment Tasks Time: -
Observation report: 2003/04 RJH (GPS)

Aims

Project work not only gives students the opportunity to carry out research or a detailed investigation into a specific area of experimental or theoretical physics but also requires them to develop and apply analytical and problem-solving skills in a context where they won't be told the 'right' answer but must discover, and validate it themselves. This may involve devising explanations or solutions, use of the library, computer, and other resources, working in small groups, and in the presentation and communication of their work, in both written and oral form.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students should be able to:

Module Specific Skills

• investigate areas of physics in a systematic way using appropriate experimental and/or theoretical techniques;
• systematically record their work in a notebook;
• 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

• research and write background material;
• report results and conclusions in a formal written report;
• retrive information from data-bases and libraries;
• prepare a poster and deliver an oral presentation;

Personal and Key Skills

• organise a programme of work;
• interact with other group members;
• write reports containing original material or analysis;
• use computers appropriately.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Self-study, supervised project work

Assignments

One written formal report, one poster presentation, two oral presentations.

Assessment

Laboratory work (40%), oral presentations (20%) plan and formal report (20%) plan and poster presentation (20%).

Syllabus Plan and Content

Project 1	Project 2	Activity
Week 1	Week 14	Project allocated (Monday)
Week 3	Week 16	Assessment of laboratory work
Week 5	Week 18	Oral presentations (Friday)
Week 6/7	Week 19/20	Assessment of laboratory work
Week 10		Assessment of plan for report
	Week 23	Assessment of plan for poster
Week 12		Formal Report deadline (Monday 1200)
	Week 24	Poster deadline (Friday 1600)

In the first semester, students work on the first project and must write-up the project in a formal report which must be handed in after the Christmas vacation. This will be a 2500-word word-processed report. It will review the background to the project, outline the work done and the results obtained in the project.

The second semester follows a similiar pattern, except that the final report is in the form of a poster presentation which will which will be displayed on the first-floor corridor wall.

Details of the various exercises and the assessment criteria are given in the BSc Final Year Projects section of the School handbook.

Core Text

Not applicable

Supplementary Text(s)

Not applicable

Formative Mechanisms

Supervision and assistance is available from project supervisors and/or laboratory demonstrators during the project periods. In-session assessments are returned marked to students with a report sheet of brief comments which are amplified and explained in discussion with the students.

Evaluation Mechanisms

Feedback from students is gathered by direct student-staff interaction and also via the usual student representation mechanisms.