PHY3205 Background Report for Project

2007-2008

Code: PHY3205
Title: Background Report for Project
Instructors: Research Group Staff
CATS credits: 15
ECTS credits: 7.5
Availability: Physics programmes with study abroad only
Level: 3
Pre-requisites: N/A
Co-requisites: N/A
Background Assumed: -
Duration: As agreed
Directed Study Time: Not applicable
Private Study Time: 150 hours
Assessment Tasks Time: -
Observation report: not applicable

Aims

This module constitutes the preparation for a 60 course-credit project to be carried out in the final stage of the MPhys programme.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students should be able to:

Module Specific Skills

• demonstrate familiarity with the relevant literature and background physics of the area in which they will work;
• locate and filter literature to identify material important and relevant to future work.

Discipline Specific Skills

• read and respond to written technical material;
• write and produce a coherent report;
• study successfully within the system of an overseas university.

Personal and Key Skills

• manage their own learning;
• use images and diagrams to illustrate trechnical material.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Directed self-study.

Assignments

Fortnightly progress reports, a plan (1200 words) and a final report (4500-5000 words). These will be assessed according to the assessment criteria for the plan and report as given in the School of Physics handbook.

Assessment

Written plan (20%) and written report (80%).

Syllabus Plan and Content

During one semester abroad (normally the first) students will spend about six hours per week working on identifying relevant material, assimilating and organising it firstly into a report plan and then into an introductory report covering the background physics and likely scope of the project. They will have access to their project supervisor through e-mail and will be expected to provide fortnightly reports identifying progress and future goals, and highlighting any particular problems. The completed report plan must be received at Exeter for assessment by week 12 in the Spring term at the latest, but can be submitted at anytime up to week 12. Formative feedback on the report plan will be sent by e-mail to the student within 2 weeks of receiving the report plan at Exeter. The completed report must be received at Exeter for assessment by week 24 in the Summer term. Note: although electronic submission of these documents is acceptable, students are strongly advised to submit a paper copy by regular mail. This is to avoid formatting problems etc that may occur when printing the document on a system other than that on which it was prepared. The student will have to accept responsibility for any problems of this type that do occur as a result of electronic submission.

Core Text

Not applicable

Supplementary Text(s)

Not applicable

Formative Mechanisms

Interaction with supervisor through e-mail. The report plan is assessed by 2 assessors and receives specific feedback from the project supervisor.

Evaluation Mechanisms

In addition to interacting with the supervisor through e-mail, students can raise any matters of concern with the Stage 3 Study Abroad Co-ordinator.