Module Information
Module Identifier
PHM5860
Module Title
EXTENDED PROJECT
Academic Year
2011/2012
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 2
Pre-Requisite
Successful completion of Year 3 MPhys scheme and PHM5010 or FGM5010
Other Staff
Course Delivery
| Delivery Type | Delivery length / details |
|---|---|
| Lecture | 40 Hours |
| Practical | Project work during normal working hours. Regular meetings with supervisor. |
Assessment
| Assessment Type | Assessment length / details | Proportion |
|---|---|---|
| Semester Assessment | Exercise on project preparation & review (Gregynog) | 15% |
| Semester Assessment | Oral Presentation | 15% |
| Semester Assessment | Formal Report including the literature review | 60% |
| Semester Assessment | Progression | 10% |
| Supplementary Assessment | Re-submission of failed components |
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this module students should be able to:
1. Show detailed understanding of the physics of their topic of study.
2. Review the recent developments in the research field of interest as documented in the refereed literature.
3. Plan and implement a major research project.
4. Interpret and discuss their results in terms of the current knowledge of the topic.
5. Present their work orally and in a formal written account.
6. Prepare, present and review research proposals.
Brief description
The student carries out a major project normally within one of the research groups active in the institute under the supervision of a project supervisor. A project is selected and assigned in the autumn term, and the student is required to write a short plan describing the project and outlining its objectives. This plan and a Project Planning form are submitted in the autumn in preparation for the project work.
Following the researching of the project topic in semester 1 as part of the Project Dissertation module PHM5010 and the writing of the literature review, the student is expected in semester 2 to plan and carry out the major project. This comprises the main experimental and analysis phase of the project and the interpretation and discussion of the results in terms of the current knowledge of the research topic. The work is presented both orally and in a formal written report.
An intensive residential course at Gregynog mansion near Newtown, before the start of semester 2, also forms part of the module. This is organised jointly by the physics staff of Aberystwyth and Cardiff Universities. The course includes sessions on planning a project, communication and self management skills and structured group work on presenting and assessing projects.
Further details of the module are provided in the Extended Project handbook.
Following the researching of the project topic in semester 1 as part of the Project Dissertation module PHM5010 and the writing of the literature review, the student is expected in semester 2 to plan and carry out the major project. This comprises the main experimental and analysis phase of the project and the interpretation and discussion of the results in terms of the current knowledge of the research topic. The work is presented both orally and in a formal written report.
An intensive residential course at Gregynog mansion near Newtown, before the start of semester 2, also forms part of the module. This is organised jointly by the physics staff of Aberystwyth and Cardiff Universities. The course includes sessions on planning a project, communication and self management skills and structured group work on presenting and assessing projects.
Further details of the module are provided in the Extended Project handbook.
Aims
This module is the final-year individual project of the MPhys physics degree scheme. It takes the form of a short research project with the student investigating a problem under the supervision of a member of the academic staff.
The nature of the problem may be experimental, theoretical, data analysis or computer modeling. The project will allow the student to apply the knowledge and techniques learnt in the course so far. Emphasis is placed on the understanding and application of fundamental physical principles.
The nature of the problem may be experimental, theoretical, data analysis or computer modeling. The project will allow the student to apply the knowledge and techniques learnt in the course so far. Emphasis is placed on the understanding and application of fundamental physical principles.
Content
The research topic will be different for each project.
Module Skills
| Skills Type | Skills details |
|---|---|
| Application of Number | Throughout the module. |
| Communication | Students will be expected to submit a written report and deliver an oral presentation on their project. |
| Improving own Learning and Performance | Feedback from staff on the Gregynog course and from supervisors will enable students to improve their own learning. |
| Information Technology | Extensive use of the internet for literature search of the project background is required. |
| Personal Development and Career planning | Organization and implementation of the final-year individual project of the MPhys degree scheme must be viewed as part of career planning and personal development. |
| Problem solving | All projects considered are problem-based. |
| Research skills | Students will be required to consult various books, electronic material and refereed journals. The project background will need to be researched. |
| Team work | The students will work in groups during the course at Gregynog. |
Notes
This module is at CQFW Level 7