MODULE TITLE

Independent Study

 

CREDIT VALUE

15

MODULE CODE

PHYM005

MODULE CONVENER

Prof. T. Naylor

 

 

DURATION

TERM

1

2

3

Number Students Taking Module (anticipated)

1

WEEKS

T1:01-11

T2:01-11

 

DESCRIPTION – summary of the module content (100 words)

The independent study module may be taken in either Term 1 or Term 2 and is an unconventional option available to Stage 4 students. The student must take responsibility for identifying the topic to be studied, planning a programme of study and the method and criteria by which and end product (normally a report) will be judged.

MODULE AIMS – intentions of the module

The module aims is to enable the student to broaden their education and develop his/her skills in goal-setting and time-management by pursuing a completely self-defined programme of study

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:

    Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

    1. identify a piece of work which can be satisfactorily completed in a given amount of time;
    2. define a critical path to accomplish the task;
    3. communicate progress via short reports to a staff member acting as a mentor;
    4. present results effectively in an oral, written or visual form (the final assessment can take one of a number of forms);
    5. show evidence of critical self-appraisal through the submission of a 'self-assessment' of the accomplished work;

    Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:

    1. gain familiarity with new subject material entirely through independent study.

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

    Students following this module will exercise their goal-setting and time-management skills extensively. They will learn how to define a critical path to deliver a stated result within a given time and develop skills in resourcing, selecting and organising relevant information. They will acquire the discipline to complete their self-defined goal within a time constraint. Equally importantly they will learn not to spend too much time on a project which constitutes only a fraction of their Stage 4 credit. Depending on their chosen form of assessment, they will exercise oral, written or poster presentation skills. They will learn to defend themselves in a viva and apply constructive self-criticism to their final work.

    To satisfy the module requirement, the student must:

    1. Identify a suitable piece of work to accomplish
    2. Define and meet a series of intermediate goals
    3. Produce a final result.
    The entire exercise should take the equivalent of 10 hours per credit. The word length of written essays reports, etc. should be commensurate with Physics norm, i.e. 500 words per credit.

     

    LEARNING AND TEACHING

     

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

    Scheduled Learning & Teaching activities  

    0 hours

    Guided independent study  

    150 hours

    Placement/study abroad

    0 hours

     

    DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS

     Category 

     Hours of study time 

     Description 

    Guided independent study

    150 hours

    Independent study

     

    ASSESSMENT

     

     FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade

    Form of Assessment

    Size of the assessment e.g. duration/length

    ILOs assessed

    Feedback method

    Initial project plan

    500 words

    1-2

    Written and/or verbal

    Progress reports

    250 words

    3

    Written and/or verbal

    SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)

    Coursework

    100%

    Written exams

    0%

    Practical exams

    0%

     

    DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

    Form of Assessment

     

    % of credit

    Size of the assessment e.g. duration/length

     ILOs assessed 

    Feedback method

    Report and viva

    100%

    7500 words

    4-6

    Written and verbal

    ASSESSMENT NOTES  

    The report and/or other end products will be assessed by two members of staff, and the student will normally required to attend an viva voce examination. This will be decided when the form of the end product of the independent study is agreed at the start of the module. In addition, students will be asked to make an evaluation of their own work, and this will be included in the assessment process. N.B. Students are not permitted to register for this module until the convener is satisfied that the project plan involves an appropriate amount and level of learning and will lead to a satisfactory end product.

     DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)

    Original form of assessment

     Form of re-assessment 

    ILOs re-assessed

    Time scale for re-assessment

    N/A

    N/A

    N/A

    N/A

    RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES  

    Re-assessment is not available for this module.

     

    RESOURCES

     

     INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES -  The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener.

    Core text:

    • Not applicable

    Supplementary texts:

    • Not applicable

    ELE:

    CREDIT VALUE

    15

    ECTS VALUE

    7.5

    PRE-REQUISITE MODULES

    N/A

    CO-REQUISITE MODULES

    N/A

    NQF LEVEL (FHEQ)

    7

    AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING

    NO

    ORIGIN DATE

    01-Oct-11

    LAST REVISION DATE

    N/A

    KEY WORDS SEARCH

    Physics; Time; Goal setting; Word; Management; Result; Work; Self criticism; Suitable piece; Form; Much time.

    Module Descriptor Template Revised October 2011