PHY3150 - Module Description

MODULE TITLE	Applying Physics (Group Project)					CREDIT VALUE	15
MODULE CODE	PHY3150		MODULE CONVENER			Dr C.M. Brunt and Prof. R.J. Hicken

DURATION	TERM	1	2	3	Number Students Taking Module (anticipated)		8
	WEEKS		T2:01-11

DESCRIPTION – summary of the module content (100 words)

Each student will work as part a self-managing team of 4-8 investigate and solve real problems proposed by 'clients' (normally local industrial companies). At the conclusion of the module the group will collectively produce a report and make a presentation to the client. Each project will be allocated an academic staff 'consultant' whose role is to monitor the project and to give the team feedback about their performance and strategic advice when necessary. Feedback from the client company will contribute to the final assessment.

MODULE AIMS – intentions of the module

The dual aims of this module are to promote stronger links between universities and employers and to match graduates' skills with employers' needs. This will help students gain valuable skills and experience. As well as gaining an insight into how they could be employed once they have graduated, they learn about working in a team, adhering to a budget and timeline, and how to report to an industrial contact.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

On successful completion of this module you should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

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 College or the University Safety Office) a required by their particular project;
include consideration of safety aspects in the design of experiments;

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

research and write background material;
contribute results and conclusions to a formal written report;
retrieve information from data-bases and libraries;
contribute to the preparation and/or delivery of an oral presentation;

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:

organise a programme of work;
interact productively with other group members;
write reports containing original material or analysis;
use computers appropriately;
evaluate the contribution of other group members.

SYLLABUS PLAN – summary of the structure and academic content of the module

Term 1 Variant	Term 2 Variant	Activity
Week T1:00	Week T2:00	Projects allocated
Week T1:01	Week T2:01	Initial team meeting (Monday)
Week T1:01/02	Week T2:01/02	Meeting with client
Week T1:03	Week T2:03	Individual notebook assessment 1
Week T1:05	Week T2:05	Half-way review meeting with client
Week T1:07	Week T2:07	Individual notebook assessment 2
Week T1:09	Week T2:09	Discussion of plan for report
Week T1:11	Week T2:11	Formal Report deadline (Monday)
Week T1:11	Week T2:11	Presentation to client (Friday)

The module leader has discretion to make minor variations to the schedule in order to match the availability of the client company's staff, etc..

Further information is given in the BSc Final Year Group Projects section of the Physics handbook.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities

99 hours

Guided independent study

51 hours

Placement/study abroad

0 hours

DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS