PHY3138 Projects and Dissertations

2011-2012

Code: PHY3138
Level: 3
Title: Projects and Dissertations
Instructors: Dr P. Vukusic
CATS Credit Value: 30
ECTS Credit Value: 15
Pre-requisites: N/A
Co-requisites: N/A
Duration: T1:01-11, T2:01-11
Availability: unrestricted
Background Assumed: For experimental projects: Practical Physics II (PHY2017)
Directed Study Time: 180 hours
Private Study Time: 120 hours
Assessment Tasks Time: -

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 / Teaching Methods

Self-study, supervised project work

Assignments

One formal report (deadline week T1:11), one poster presentation, two oral presentations.

Assessment

Laboratory work (40%), oral presentations (20%) 2500-word formal report (20%) poster presentation (20%).

Syllabus Plan and Content

Project 1	Project 2	Activity
Week T1:01	Week T2:01	Project allocated (Monday)
Week T1:03	Week T2:03	Assessment of laboratory work
Week T1:05	Week T2:05	Oral presentations (Friday)
Week T1:07	Week T2:07	Assessment of laboratory work
Week T1:09/T1:10		Discussion of plan for report
	Week T2:09/10	Discussion of plan for poster
Week T1:11		Formal Report deadline (Friday 1600)
	Week T2:11	Poster deadline (Friday 1600)

In the first term, students work on the first project and must write-up the project in a formal report which must be handed in before the Christmas vacation. This will be a word-processed report (for word-limit see 'Assessment Methods' above). It will review the background to the project, outline the work done and the results obtained in the project.

The second term 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.