Unit information: Physics Research Project 432 in 2020/21

Unit name	Physics Research Project 432
Unit code	PHYSM3200
Credit points	30
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Gersen
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	Normally 120 credit points at Level H/6 of the relevant programme.
Co-requisites	None.
School/department	School of Physics
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

This unit consists of a supervised, physics-related research project carried out for two days each week either in pairs (experimental projects) or singly (theoretical projects), culminating in an individually written final report, an oral and/or poster presentation, and an oral examination. Available for students on MSci (Hons) Chemical Physics with Industrial Experience, MSci (Hons) Physics with Industrial Experience or MSci (Hons) Mathematics and Physics.

Aims:

This unit consists of a supervised, physics-related research project carried out in a pair (experimental projects) or singly (theoretical projects), culminating in an individually written final report, an oral and or poster presentation, and an interview. Available for students on MSci (Hons) Chemical Physics with Industrial Experience, MSci (Hons) Physics with Industrial Experience or MSci (Hons) Mathematics and Physics.

All students on Physics programmes are required to do an experimental or theoretical project, which runs for the whole of the teaching year, except those on the Physics with Industrial Experience programme, for whom it is optional as they will have done an industrial research project in the third year.

Outline syllabus:

Students normally work in pairs on experimental projects and singly on theoretical projects, but each student is assessed individually and independently of any partner. Experimental projects are mostly associated with departmental research groups and may be located either within the group or in the project laboratory, according to the needs of the project. Students taking this unit work one and a half days per week, weeks 1 - 20. Thursday and Friday are the usual project days, although access to the laboratory is normally available at when the building is open and the laboratory technician is available.

All students are required to present a poster describing the results of the project, which may be prepared jointly if the project was done with a partner. The posters will be seen by the external examiners. A prize generally awaits the presenter of the best poster presentation as judged by the year co-ordinator.

Intended Learning Outcomes

The student will be able to:

• to bring a diversity of knowledge and skills to bear on a specific problem,

• identify the skills and knowledge needed to carry a project forward and how to acquire them,

• present material clearly and concisely both verbally, in a poster and in a written report,

• produce a clear and coherent report representing a significant academic document about the topic.

Teaching Information

Experimental projects are laboratory-based while theoretical projects will be library-based. Both involve a supervisor and an assessor, both of whom will be involved during the duration of the project. Generally the student and supervisor will meet weekly.

Assessment Information

Formative Assessment:

Interim project report and interview.

Summative Assessment:

Final project report, oral and poster, presentation, oral examination.

Reading and References

This will depend on the specific project but may include textbooks, research journals, previous project reports and web-based material.