Module Information

Module Identifier
PHM4410
Module Title
Advanced Topics in Modern Physics
Academic Year
2013/2014
Co-ordinator
Semester
Semester 1
Pre-Requisite
Successful completion of level 3
Other Staff

Course Delivery

Delivery Type Delivery length / details
Seminars / Tutorials
 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Oral presentation on mini-project  20%
Semester Assessment Oral presentation on current topic in science  20%
Semester Assessment Science article, in popular science format (e.g. New scientist, Astromony today etc.)  30%
Semester Assessment Formal report on mini-project  30%
Supplementary Assessment 100%

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this module students should be able to:

1. Demonstrate independent learning by undertaking a review of a topical paper, a review of supporting literature and provide a commentary on the paper.

2. Demonstrate skills in the communication of current physics topics through a popular science article describing the background and contribution of modern physics in an accessible way.

3. Demonstrate the ability to present a current science topic to a non-specialist audience and manage questions from that audience

4. Undertake a short research project in modern physics, (materials, solar, space weather or astrophysics). Demonstrating an understanding of the research topic and its impact.

5. Present the results of the research project in a formal report

6. Present the results of the research project in a conference-type forum and answer questions from a general physics audience on that research.

Aims

It is important for undergraduate students to be able to be familiar with and be able to communicate ideas in modern physics. Not only will this be an essential skill for any research-based career but will also develop presentation and communication skills that will be essential for any career path.
This module will be a restructured form of the existing communication physics module by introducing some of the components of the advanced technique modules in materials and solar system physics.
Students will make presentations on a current topic in modern physics and on a short project that students will carry out. Both presentations will be made before an audience of their peers and the overall aim is to develop and enhance presentation skills, providing experience of and feedback from a conference environment.

Brief description

It is important for undergraduate students to be able to be familiar with and be able to communicate ideas in modern physics. Not only will this be an essential skill for any research-based career but will also develop presentation and communication skills that will be essential for any career path.
This module will be a restructured form of the existing communication physics module by introducing some of the components of the advanced technique modules in materials and solar system physics.
Students will make presentations on a current topic in modern physics and on a short project that students will carry out. Both presentations will be made before an audience of their peers and the overall aim is to develop and enhance presentation skills, providing experience of and feedback from a conference environment.

Content

It is important for undergraduate students to be able to be familiar with and be able to communicate ideas in modern physics. Not only will this be an essential skill for any research-based career but will also develop presentation and communication skills that will be essential for any career path.
This module will be a restructured form of the existing communication physics module by introducing some of the components of the advanced technique modules in materials and solar system physics.
Students will make presentations on a current topic in modern physics and on a short project that students will carry out. Both presentations will be made before an audience of their peers and the overall aim is to develop and enhance presentation skills, providing experience of and feedback from a conference environment.

Module Skills

Skills Type Skills details
Application of Number Mathematical prowess will be required and evaluated throughout this module.
Communication Oral and written communication skills are developed and improved by feedback throughout this module
Improving own Learning and Performance Students will receive feedback on communication and quality of their presentations to improve research and presentation performance required for final year projects.
Information Technology Students will be required to use electronic resources for research as well as instrumentation, computational processing of images, use of online data bases and archives and use of software for data and image processing.
Personal Development and Career planning This module is designed to prepare students for communication of physics in written and conference environment. These skills form an integral part of any career and are transferable to any discipline or career path.
Problem solving A research level project in modern physics is undertaken
Research skills Literature searches and scientific enquiry are an integral part of this module.
Subject Specific Skills
Team work n/a

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7