Description

Students will work on a project linked to one of the main research groups in the Department. Over the period of the project, they will learn what it means to work in an active research group. The students will not only develop research skills and communication skills but also gain valuable experience in team work. Normally, between two and four students will work on a particular research topic, and within the group the students will 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 of this module is to foster the open-ended problem solving skills that are characteristic of the practising physicist.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

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

• Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:
  1. keep a professional research notebook which is neat, accurate and objective;
  2. write a substantive scientific report, containing original results and analysis, and defend it orally;
  3. prepare a scientific-poster of the type used to present work at scientific conferences;
  4. use a poster to present and defend the results of their work in a fluent and coherent form;
  5. demonstrate an awareness of the general requirements of safety regulations;
  6. 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;
  7. appropriately complete risk assessment forms (such as those published by the College or the University Safety Office) as applicable to their particular project;
  8. give a scientific talk which conforms to conventional standards for a presentation;
• Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:
  9. demonstrate skill in oral and written presentations;
  10. use a range of approaches to solve technical problems;
  11. undertake independent research, make effective use of computers;
• Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:
  12. work co-operatively within a research environment;
  13. communicate clearly using a variety of methods;
  14. meet deadlines for completion of work and apply appropriate time-management strategies.

Syllabus Plan

1. Background and Project Proposal
   Each student will give an assessed presentation on the background report they prepared in PHY3205. (See table below.)
2. Project Work
   In weeks T1:01-11 the students will spend an average of three days per week working on their project. Throughout the work each student will be responsible for keeping a record of their work in a research notebook (in the form of a detailed diary). The student will also produce (in the notebook) 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 (see table below).
3. Project Work
   In weeks T2:01-07 in Term 2 students will spend an average of three days per week working on their project, assessed by examination of the student's lab books, and an oral examination.
4. Poster Presentation
   In weeks T2:08-09 the students will spend four days jointly preparing a poster display on their work. The assessment will take the form of a discussion of the display with each student in turn (see table below).
5. Final Dissertation
   In weeks T2:10-11 students will spend an average of three days per week (6 days) finalising 'practical' work on their project and undertaking the detailed analysis and preparation needed for an individual (not joint) final dissertation. The dissertation is expected to follow the guidelines in the Physics Handbook. The dissertation must not exceed the word-limit specified below. There will be also be a viva voce examination of project and dissertation, and this will be held during the Summer assessment period (see table below).

Learning and Teaching

Learning Activities and Teaching Methods

Assessment

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:

• Not applicable

Supplementary texts:

• Not applicable

ELE:

• http://newton.ex.ac.uk/redirects/ELE/phym010

Further Information

Prior Knowledge Requirements

Re-assessment

Re-assessment is not available except when required by referral or deferral.

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

KIS Data Summary

Miscellaneous