The MPhys project module descriptions:
It is the nature of MPhys projects that they are all different, and therefore some projects will suit some students better than others. MPhys projects take place within a research framework and often make intensive use the staff and facilities so these demands need to be balanced across the available resources. To ensure equality of opprtunity, it important that all students should be given the same information about which projects are proposed, and that allocations are made impartially. The process for allocating projects is as follows:
At the end of Week T3:05 the MPhys Projects Co-ordinator will publish a list of potential MPhys projects titles and abstracts provided by the supervisors describing the project. During Weeks T3:06-07 Stage 2 MPhys students will review the:
then complete the:
and return it to the Student Services Office (Floor 6, Physics Building) by the last Friday of term (week T3:07).
The method used to allocate projects applies the following rules, descending in priority:
Each exercise will be assessed by the project supervisor (S) and other independent examiners (X, Y and Z). Examiners Y and Z should be from outside the research group responsible for the project. Examiners are assigned by the MPhys Projects Co-ordinator, normally according to the following pattern:
| Exercise | Examiners | |
|---|---|---|
| Student A | Student B | |
| Introductory Presentation | X+Y | X+Z |
| Introductory Report | S+Z | S+Y |
| 1st Notebook Review | S+Y | S+Z |
| Poster Presentation | Y+Z | |
| 2nd Notebook Review | S+Y | S+Z |
| Final Report | S+Z | S+Y |
Each pair of assessors will be sent three pro-forma marksheets - one each on which to enter their own marks and the third 'Agreed Marks' pro-forma. It is important that, in the first instance, each assessor forms an independent judgement of the work and records this on their own pro-forma. However, they may then, if they wish, compare notes with the other assessor (as shown on the pro-forma) and enter agreed marks on the third pro-forma which will be the starting point of the discussion at the moderation meeting. If the assessors cannot agree about the marks, they should clearly indicate this on the Agreed Marks pro-forma (e.g. by striking it through) in which case their individual marks will be discussed at the meeting, and a final mark decided there.
Students are expected to discuss their plans for reports, posters and presentations with their supervisors to the extent of having the outlines (i.e. at a table-of contents-level of detail) reviewed/checked. However, supervisors should not make detailed comments on drafts. The work that is assessed must represent the skills and judgement of the student, not the supervisor.
The first stage of the project is for the student to understand the background. The order of exercises differs between the 'standard' projects (PHY3122 / PHYM415) taken by students who study in Exeter during Stage 3, and the variants (PHY3205 / PHYM416, and PHYM419) taken taken by students who study away from Exeter.
To monitor progress, each student gives an assessed Introductory Presentation to a group of other MPhys students and staff on their individual progress.
The presentations take place as specified in the module descriptions, i.e. roughly half-way through the Autumn. Presentations must be self-contained and not rely on other talks to provide necessary background material.
After the presentation, each student will prepare an individual Introductory Report (see also Write with Clarity) on the whole project, to be completed and two copies handed in to the Department Student Services office by the deadline specifed (see PHY3122). Marks will be deducted for late submission.
Each student's report will be assessed, and discussed with the student. The report must be no longer than the word-limit specified (see PHY3122).
Students studying in Australia / New Zealand / North America take PHY3205 while they are away, which requires them to submit a plan, and then a background report.
Students taking programmes with 'Professional Experience' or 'European Study' also write an Introductory Report as specified in the PHYM419 module description. This is assessed using the standard MPhys criteria:
Stage-3-Away students give a presentation based on their background report in the middle of the Autumn term of their Stage 4 year:
Students next spend an extended period, working on their project. Throughout the period each student will be responsible for keeping a record of his or her work in a notebook. This must be in the form of a detailed diary in a bound notebook; scraps of paper or loose-leaf files are not acceptable. It should contain: a proper record, in chronological format, of all revelant information recorded in appropriate detail and clarity, including evidence of calculations and reasons for taking particular courses of action.
The student will also produce (in the notebook) 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 and will form the basis of discussion at the weekly supervision meeting.)
A significant proportion of the project is assessed, on two occasions specified in the module descriptions, by examination of the student's notebooks, and an oral examination.
For students studying at Exeter in Stage 3, the project work continues in the Summer term after the exams. The first part of this completes the credit requirements for PHY3122, the remainder contributes nine credits to be carried forward to the Stage 4 module PHYM415.
To ensure that all students are assessed on an equitable basis, any work students wish to undertake on their project between the end of the vacation and the start of Stage 4 must be done without the assistance of supervisors, and without the use of special equipment or facilities (e.g. equipment within research groups.). In cases where MPhys students undertake vacation research projects (e.g. internships, Nuffield Studentships, etc.), there must be a clear boundary between the vacation work and the MPhys project.
Towards the end of the project, students jointly prepare a poster display of their work. This will be assessed with the aid of an oral examination to confirm the individual student's contribution.
The poster display should include the aims of the project, a background review, a summary of progress, results and their interpretation. Posters must be displayed in the position assigned by the MPhys Projects Co-ordinator (e.g. in the Staff Common Room) by the deadline specified in the module description and must use no more than one board for a group of three or four students, and no more than half a board for a student or pair of students. Although supervisors may give their students general advice, it is not their role to correct or edit a display before the assessment.
Assessment of the poster display will take the form of a discussion of the display with each student in turn. Although marks will be agreed on the basis of uncorrected displays, these marks will be ratified for inclusion in the degree assessment only after the posters have been brought to a state suitable for subsequent continued display.
Students should pay particular attention to the feedback given about their poster when writing their final report, and study the Guidelines for MPhys Final Reports [pdf]. Final reports are individual (not joint) efforts and must comply with the word limit and submission deadline specified (see PHYM415). The rules for submission of dissertations are strict, and two copies are required. The the final report will be assessed during the Summer term assessment period
with the aid of an oral examination.