PHYM419 Dissertation and Project

2007-2008

Code: PHYM419
Title: Dissertation and Project
Instructors: Dr P.G. Petrov and Research Group Staff
CATS credits: 50
ECTS credits: 25
Availability: programmes F302, F304 and F322 only
Level: M
Pre-requisites: N/A
Co-requisites: N/A
Background Assumed: -
Duration: Semesters I and II
Directed Study Time: 33 hours nominal (supervision)
Private Study Time: 467 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.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Perform a literature search; give a scientific presentation, work in the context of a research group, keep a professional log book, present and defend a scientific poster, write a scientific report.

Transferable Skills

Time-management; working in groups; report writing; keeping a professional journal (log book); oral and written presentation, communication.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Supervision sessions, self-study, on-the-job training.

Assignments

Background review, oral presentation, poster, final report, weekly reports as detailed below.

Assessment

Introductory report and viva voce (20%), oral presentation (4%), laboratory work and viva voce (26%), poster presentation (10%), dissertion and viva voce (40%).

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 the group the students will work in pairs.

Note: All students should refer to the detailed description of the MPhys projects and assessment criteria (Study Abroad Programmes) in the School Handbook.

1. Background and Project Proposal
   On their return to Exeter in June of year 3, students will work on identifying relevant material and assimilating and organising it into an introductory report (3000-3500 words) covering the background physics and likely scope of the project. The report is to be submitted in week 2 of the Michaelmas term.

   In week 3 of the Michaelmas Term each student's introductory report will be discussed by the student and the project supervisors, and will be assessed.

   In week 6 of the Michaelmas Term each student will give an assessed presentation on their background report.

2. Project Work
   In weeks 1-10 of the Michaelmas Term the students will spend an average of three days per week working on their project.

   Throughout the work each student will be responsible for keeping a record of their work in a log book (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 on the Monday of week 8.

3. Poster Presentation
   In weeks 9-10 of the Michaelmas Term the students will spend 4 days jointly preparing a poster display on their work. The assessment will take the form of a discussion of the display with each student in turn, on the afternoon of Friday of week 11 in Lent term.
4. Project Work
   In weeks 14-19 in the Lent Term students will spend an average of two days per week working on their project.
5. Final Dissertation
   In week 20 in the Lent Term and weeks 21-22 in the Trinity term students will spend two days per week on analysis and preparation of an individual (not joint) final dissertation. This dissertation must be complete and submitted by the Monday of week 23 in the Trinity Term.

   The dissertation should be no more than 10,000 words long and will be assessed by the same two examiners who assessed the project notebooks. There will be a 20-minute viva on the dissertation, and this will be held in week 24 in the Trinity term.

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.