PHY3122 Project and Dissertation 2024-25
Prof. M.R. Bate and Research Group Staff
 
Delivery Weeks: T2:01-11, T3:05-07
Level: 6 (NQF)
Credits: 30 NICATS / 15 ECTS
Enrolment: 40 students (approx)

Description

Students will work on a project linked to one of the existing main research groups in the Department. Over the period of the project, they will learn how to work as part of a research group. The students will not only develop research skills and communication skills but also gain valuable experience in team work. Typically, between two and four students will work on a particular research topic, and within a group the students will normally work in pairs.

Module Aims

A major distinguishing feature of the MPhys degree is its substantial project which requires students to apply the knowledge they have acquired to a real problem in a research environment. The aim is to foster the skills in open-ended problem solving necessary for the practising physicist. PHY3122 constitutes the first part of a two-part 75-credit project extending over Stages 3 and 4 of MPhys programmes. PHYM009 forms the second part.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

A student who has passed this module should be able to:

Syllabus Plan

Note: All students should refer to the detailed description of the MPhys projects and assessment criteria in the Physics Handbook. The hours of work specified below are the core hours for groups to work together; the additional hours needed to correspond to 30 credits are spent individually analysing results, writing reports, etc..
  1. Background Report and Project Planning
    In weeks T2:01-05 of Term 2 students will spend 1.5 days per week in background reading, team discussions
  2. Project Proposal
    In weeks T2:06-09 each student will be engaging in team discussions of the project work. Again, 1.5 days per week will be assigned to this work. Each student will prepare an individual introductory report on the project, to be submitted by the deadline in the table of assessments.
  3. Project Work 1
    During weeks T2:10 and T2:11 students spend 1.5 days per week preparing for project work, e.g. by completing any training needed to use equipment/software.
  4. Project Work 2
    In Term 3 of Stage  3 the students will work full-time on their project during the the final three weeks of term T3:05-07, i.e. a further 14 days.
Throughout the work each student will be responsible for keeping a record of his or her work in a research notebook (in the form of a detailed diary). The student will also produce (in the log book) 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.) This part of the project will be assessed by examination of the student's lab books, and an oral examination.

Learning and Teaching

Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

Description Study time KIS type
Supervision Meetings 26 hours SLT
30.5 days of project work 214 hours SLT
Reading and private study 60 hours GIS

Assessment

Weight Form Size When ILOS assessed Feedback
0% Reports for supervisor Weekly Throughout project work 3-7,9,11-14 Verbal
15% Oral presentation 15 minutes Weeks T2:06/07 1,2,7,10,11,14 Written and verbal
40% Background report 3000 words Report deadline week T2:10 1,7,8,10,11,14 Written and verbal
45% Laboratory work and viva voce 20-minute notebook discussion Week T3:06 1,3-7,9,11-14 Written and verbal

Notes:  Refer to the detailed description of the MPhys assessment criteria in the Physics Handbook.

Resources

The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of information that students are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Instructor(s).

Core text:

Supplementary texts:

ELE:

Further Information

Prior Knowledge Requirements

Pre-requisite Modules N/A
Co-requisite Modules N/A

Re-assessment

Re-assessment is not available except when 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

Notes: Re-assessment is not available for this module.

KIS Data Summary

Learning activities and teaching methods
SLT - scheduled learning & teaching activities 240 hrs
GIS - guided independent study 60 hrs
PLS - placement/study abroad 0 hrs
Total 300 hrs
Summative assessment
Coursework 40%
Written exams 0%
Practical exams 60%
Total 100%

Miscellaneous

Availability MPhys programmes only
Distance learning NO
Keywords Physics; MPhys Project; Research; Safety; MPhys; Reports; Notebook.
Created 01-Oct-00
Revised 16-Nov-16