Placement Projects - Assignments and Marking Criteria

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

Placement Projects - Assignments and Marking Criteria

The Professional Experience module descriptors:

PHY3306 Professional Experience (75 credits)
PHY3308 Professional Placement (120 credits)

specify the assignments and their deadlines. The applicable descriptor should be read in conjunction with the notes below, which describe the assignments in greater detail, along with the criteria that will be used to assess them. The relative weighting of these assignments is given in the module descriptor.

In accordance with the Department's Marking Strategy, each task should be assessed independently by two assessors. Each should complete an individual report, recording their comments and proposed marks. These, along with a further report of 'agreed marks' are to be returned to the Professional Experience Co-ordinator. All marks are subject to moderation at a meeting of assessors/supervisors which will be convened by the Professional Experience Co-ordinator as soon as possible after the assessment. The marks for this assessment contribute to the overall module mark in proportion to the weighting indicated in the module description.

The Professional Experience Co-ordinator will give each student qualitiative feedback about their performance.

Stage 3 Preliminary Report (PHY3306)

The word length for the preliminary report is specified on the module descriptor for PHY3306. It should normally contain:

an introduction explaining the purpose and scope of the proposed project, and why it is of interest to the placement organisation;
an outline of the relevant scientific background;
an outline plan of work referring to the required resources, personnel, and identifying some milestones/objectives;
a brief discussion of relevant legal/safety/ethical aspects, and the business risks/benefits of the work;
a statement of the criteria that will be used to judge the success of the project from a business point of view.

Marks are given for to the following three areas:

coverage (maximum 33)
(completeness in terms of expected components; a brief abstract; introduction explaining the purpose and scope of the proposed project, and why it is of interest to the placement organization; outline of the relevant scientific background; outline plan of work referring to the required resources, personnel, and identifying some milestones/objectives; brief discussion of relevant legal/safety/ethical aspects, and the business risks/benefits of the work; a statement of the criteria that will be used to judge the success of the project from a business point of view),
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 - 34	A report that is difficult to fault, with the possible exception of one or two minor errors.
23 - 27	Outcome at excellent level. 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.
20 - 22	Outcome at 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.
13 - 16	Outcome at threshold level. Only one or two major flaws. Expected components present in a recognisable form.
7 - 12	A number of major flaws. Lacking in overall structure. Evidence of a lack of basic knowledge and critical ability.
0 - 6	Nothing approaching an acceptable report.

Project Work and Notebooks

Project Work and Notebook assessments apply the standard criteria for Assessment of Physics Project Work and Notebooks used for other MPhys programmes. In this case, the second assessor will normally be an appropriately qualified member of the placement organisation agreed with the Professional Experience Co-ordinator.

Stage 3 Oral Presentation (PHY3306)

The presentation lasts 30 minutes for questions. The audience will comprise two academic staff acting as assessors plus those Stage 2 students who are hoping to undertake Physics with Professional Experience studies in their Stage 3 year. It will be scheduled at a suitable time during weeks T3:03-05 bearing in mind the examination timetables.

The presentation will be in the form of a 25 minute talk illustrated with good-quality slides prepared using appropriate software (e.g. PowerPoint, etc.) mormally divided approximately as follows:

20% on the environment at the establishment and how the project fits in with the goals of the establishment;
60% on the scientific or technical problem tackled and how this has progressed, making clear what the student's personal contribution has been;
20% on the consequences to the establishment of the outcome from this study and where this work will lead in the future.

Following the talk there will be a period of approximately 5 minutes for questions.

The overall mark for this assessment (out of maximum 100) relates to the following four areas each of which is marked out of 25 using the scale below:

key aspects
(exposition of topic and aims of project; conclusions; audibility and legibility of presentation; keeping to time)
interaction with audience
(tactics for involving audience, making the presentation interesting; appropriateness of level for audience)
technique
(logical structure of the presentation; display of data, etc., to emphasise important points)
handling questions
(understanding questions and responding appropriately)

21 - 25	At the standard expected for a polished, high quality conference review talk, perhaps with one or two minor deficiencies.
18 - 20	Outcome at excellent level. Could reach the standard above if several minor deficiencies were attended to.
15 - 17	Outcome at focal level. Generally good level of knowledge or ability, with only one or two significant deficiencies.
13 - 14	No major flaws, but a number of significant deficiencies. Showing acceptable levels of basic knowledge or ability.
10 - 12	Outcome at threshold level. Only one or two major flaws. Lacking effectiveness in some aspects.
5 - 9	A number of major flaws. Evidence of a lack of basic knowledge or ability.
0 - 4	Nothing approaching an acceptable performance.

Stage 3 Final Report

The overall mark for this assessment (out of maximum 100) is the sum of five elements each of which is marked out of 25 using the criteria tabulated below:

Business and Scientific Context
The problem(s) that were the subject of the investigation are described and put in context. Both the business aspects (i.e. the aims and constraints of the unit hosting the placement) and scientific aspects (established knowledge) should be discussed. The ethical and legal constraints, and IPR issues relevant to the project are identified and discussed. The rationale for the project management and business planning methods used for the project. How was work prioritised and scheduled, what contingencies were planned for? An evaluation the effectiveness of the methods used and their contribution to the success of the project.
Performance and Problem Solving
Selection of appropriate physics-related techniques of and application to the solution of the problem. Student has gathered, evaluated and analysed information in order to devise and apply a creative and practical method to solve the problem making effective use of the time and resources available. The investigation has been conducted in a systematic way consistent with the project plan.
Reporting and Communication
A list describing all reports and presentations made during the course of the project should be included as an appendix. The employer's evaluation of these will form the basis of the mark for this element. The employer's evaluation should also take into account performance as a team member in project meetings, demonstrations, etc..
viva
Understanding and responding appropriately to questions about any aspect of the professional experience module.

Mark Range	Professionalism (a-c) (Marks are given to reflect performance for each aspect listed above)
21 - 25	At the standard expected for a polished professional, perhaps with one or two minor deficiencies.
18 - 20	Outcome at excellent level. Could reach the standard above if several minor deficiencies were attended to.
15 - 17	Outcome at focal level. Generally good level of knowledge or ability, with only one or two significant deficiencies.
13 - 14	No major flaws, but a number of significant deficiencies. Showing acceptable levels of basic knowledge or ability.
10 - 12	Outcome at threshold level. Only one or two major flaws. Lacking effectiveness in some aspects.
5 - 9	A number of major flaws. Evidence of a lack of basic knowledge or ability.
0 - 4	Nothing approaching an acceptable performance.

Mark Range	Oral performance (Marks are given to reflect the student's understanding.)
21 - 25	A thorough understanding of all aspects which allows questions to be answered accurately and fluently and the discussion to be extended with confidence into difficult or unfamiliar areas.
18 - 20	Outcome at excellent level. A thorough understanding of most aspects, with some ability to extend the discussion into difficult or unfamiliar areas
15 - 17	Outcome at focal level. An understanding of most aspects in some depth, with the ability to extend the discussion so as to make relevant links (e.g., between project and market).
13 - 14	An adequate understanding of most aspects, with some ability extend the discussion so as to make relevant links.
10 - 12	Outcome at threshold level. A relatively superficial understanding of most aspects, with the ability to make relatively simple links.
5 - 9	Little understanding shown. Unable to make relevant links.
0 - 4	No understanding demonstrated.

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