PHY3308 - Module Description

MODULE TITLE	Professional Placement					CREDIT VALUE	120
MODULE CODE	PHY3308		MODULE CONVENER			Dr S. Hepplestone and Prof. T. Naylor

DURATION	TERM	1	2	3	Number Students Taking Module (anticipated)		4
	WEEKS	Sep-Dec	Jan-May	Jun-Sep

DESCRIPTION – summary of the module content (100 words)

This module gives the student direct experience of undertaking a research project in a in a non-university professional environment, normally an industrial or government laboratory. The project topic will usually be physics-based but in some cases may involve the application of physics-related skills (e.g., mathematical modelling) to another field.

MODULE AIMS – intentions of the module

This module aims to give students first-hand experience of the commercial/industrial scientific working environment and its various pressures, including financial and managerial, and practices of the commercial environment. This will enhance the employability of the students, and motivate them to seek employment in roles where they are able apply physics and physics-related skills to economically important practical problems.

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:

apply physics-related techniques in a non-university professional environment;
investigate in a systematic way using appropriate experimental and/or theoretical techniques;
apply physics-related techniques and knowledge to the solution of problems:
- gather, evaluate and analyse information in order to devise and apply a creative and practical method to solve the problem;
- make effective use of the time and resources available;
- record the process by which a problem is solved in a manner that facilitates independent verification;
- detect errors by making effective use of numerical or statistical information;

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

manage information:
- locate, collect, collate, categorise and summarise ideas and information in a systematic way;
- recognise the value of intellectual property;
- understand what is meant by 'confidentiality';
keep a professional chronological notebook;
give a presentation to appropriate scientific standards;
write a report containing original material and analysis;

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:

communicate:
- give a presentation in a clear and ordered manner, making appropriate use of visual aids;
- write text and reports concisely and convey meaning in a manner appropriate to readers;
work with others:
- establish working relationships;
- listen to other team members;
manage a project:
- prioritise, plan action and schedule sequence of work to achieve objectives;
- keep appropriate records;
engage with a commercial environment:
- work under pressure to meet deadlines;
- understand some of the economic considerations in business;
- recognise the influence of legal and ethical restraints on a business.

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

Note: All students should refer to the detailed description of the Professional Placement - Assignments and Marking Criteria in the Physics Handbook.

The student will be working as an employee in a professional environment. They will receive training appropriate to the environment, and will supplement this with their own observations and participation.

They will undertake a research project with supervision provided by the placement establishment. The research topic and provisional work-plan will be agreed in advance between the Department of Physics and the placement establishment. Progress will be monitored by two visits from the student's tutor during the year, plus regular contact by e-mail and/or telephone.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

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

Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities

0 hours

Guided independent study

0 hours

Placement/study abroad

1200 hours

DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS