Unit information: Student Seminar 431 in 2020/21

Unit name	Student Seminar 431
Unit code	PHYSM3100
Credit points	10
Level of study	M/7
Teaching block(s)	Teaching Block 4 (weeks 1-24)
Unit director	Dr. Gradhand
Open unit status	Not open
Pre-requisites	Normally 120 credit points at Level 6/H in Physics single or joint honours programmes.
Co-requisites	None
School/department	School of Physics
Faculty	Faculty of Science

Description including Unit Aims

The class will be divided into groups of approximately ten students each. Each group will meet weekly. A staff organiser and a staff 'expert' is at each meeting. The staff organiser for each group will chair each meeting, at which one of the group will give a 30 to 40 minute prepared talk on a chosen topic, to be followed by a structured discussion.

To lead this discussion, some other members of the group will have prepared suitable questions for discussion. The rest of the group will, of course, actively participate in the discussion. Topics will be chosen by a small staff panel, with a named staff expert for each topic. Each member of the group will give one talk, and will participate in leading a discussion.

Attendance at each talk in the group is compulsory.

Aims:

• To develop the student's ability to research and deliver a talk on a subject, and also to listen, comprehend and question other talks on related subjects.

Outline syllabus:

• The class will be divided into groups of approximately ten students each. Each group will meet weekly. There will be a staff organiser and a staff 'expert' at each meeting.
• The staff organiser for each group will chair each meeting, at which one of the group will give a 30 to 40 minute prepared talk on a chosen topic, to be followed by a structured discussion. To lead this discussion, some other members of the group will have prepared suitable questions for discussion. The rest of the group will, of course, actively participate in the discussion. Topics are suggested by all members of teaching staff, so that there is an 'expert' for each topic.
• Each member of the group will give one talk, and will participate in leading a discussion.
• Attendance at each talk in the group is compulsory.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students will be able to:

• Research a given topic in the literature
• Give a presentation of the topic to their peers and answer questions.

Teaching Information

Each group of 10 students will meet for six weekly sessions of two hours duration. There will be a staff organiser and a staff ‘expert’ at each meeting.

The staff organiser for each group will chair each meeting, at which one of the group will give a 30 – 40 minute prepared talk on a chosen topic, to be followed by a structured discussion.

Assessment Information

Formative Assessment:

The staff organiser and staff expert will assess the talk and provide feedback.

Summative Assessment:

The assessment weighting is 40% on the scientific knowledge conveyed in the presentation (reflecting the quality and depth of research done in the preparation stages, and also the ability to put it in context for the audience, as well as the ability of answer questions) and 60% on the presentation skills (clarity of presentation media, audibility, pace, scope and ability to communicate difficult ideas to audience).

The staff organiser and staff expert will assess the talk and provide mark and feedback.

Reading and References

Students will be directed to relevant resources (books and journal papers).