PHY3306 Professional Experience 2023-24
Dr S. Hepplestone and Prof. T. Naylor
 
Delivery Weeks: Sep-Dec, Jan-May,Jun-Sep
Level: 6 (NQF)
Credits: 75 NICATS / 37.5 ECTS
Enrolment: 4 students (approx)

Description

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

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)

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

Syllabus Plan

Note: All students should refer to the detailed description of the Professional Experience - Assignments and Assessment 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

Description Study time KIS type
1-year placement 750 hours PLS

Assessment

Weight Form Size When ILOS assessed Feedback
10% Preliminary report 2,500 words Week T1:09 (Monday) 2-4,7-10 Written
20% Assessment of project work: notebook assessment plus viva voce (with written input from industrial supervisor) 30 minute viva Week T2:01/T2:02 1-5,9-11 Written and verbal
10% Oral presentation at Exeter 30 minutes T3:03/4/5 6,8 Written and verbal
20% Assessment of project work: notebook assessment plus viva voce (with written input from industrial supervisor) 30 minute viva Week T3:03/4/5 1-5,9-11 Written and verbal
40% Final report plus viva voce 10,000 words, 30-minute viva Deadline 1st of September 1-4,7-11 Written

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 Practical Physics II (PHY2026)
Co-requisite Modules none

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 0 hrs
GIS - guided independent study 0 hrs
PLS - placement/study abroad 750 hrs
Total 750 hrs
Summative assessment
Coursework 50%
Written exams 0%
Practical exams 50%
Total 100%

Miscellaneous

Availability Physics with Professional Experience only
Distance learning NO
Keywords Physics; Group work; Professional environment; Placement; Project; Work experience.
Created 01-Oct-10
Revised 06-Nov-17