Module Information

Module Identifier
PGM2010
Module Title
Research Skills in Mathematics, Physics and Computer Science
Academic Year
2014/2015
Co-ordinator
Semester
Available semesters 1 and 2 (Taught over 2 semesters)
Other Staff

Course Delivery

 

Assessment

Assessment Type Assessment length / details Proportion
Semester Assessment Various  - depending on choice of programme  100%
Supplementary Assessment Various  - resubmission of failed components  100%

Learning Outcomes

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

1 Demonstrate skills relevant to their specific research topic, including writing summaries of research-led courses and talks, training events, LatTeX Beamer talks and mechanical workshop skills
2. Have a better understanding of the appropriate subject specific research training aspects.

Brief description

Each of the constituent departments of IMPaCS will encourage, provide, and monitor discipline-specific training to research students in the Institute. Due to the diverse nature of the research being undertaken within the institute, for example experimental, numerical and theoretical, a range of activities are planned and students should choose those most relevant to their work.

Aims

This module aims to give PhD students a broad knowledge of a range of subject specific skills that they can apply in a variety of research interests. In particular, it will develop the ability of students to undertake independent research projects.

Content

Students should choose either ONE option from section A or TWO options from section B:

Section A
1. Take one of the MSc modules currently offered by the Institute and not previously attended. Assessment is by a written summary of the module material (~5000 words), which is expected to be in the context of the student’s research topic and reflective. This should be marked by one of the research supervisors or the module coordinator. The IDPGS must give approval for the choice of module in advance.

Section B
1. Attendance at an international conference; assessment is by a written report on (i) the conference itself (~1000 words); and (ii) an in-depth review of two of the presentations attended (~2000 words each), following up on references cited and giving a critical evaluation of the research presented. This should be marked by one of the research supervisors or a nominated alternative. The IDPGS must give approval for the choice of conference and marker in advance. No additional funding for conference attendance is available.
2. Attendance at a graduate-level course of lectures, typically delivered by a visitor to AU, through video-conferencing over 6-8 hours, or at a nominated "Graduate School" elsewhere. If exercises are set, then these constitute the assessment; otherwise a written summary of the course/school (~5000 words), which could be in the context of the student's research topic, should be submitted for marking by one of the research supervisors or a nominated alternative. The IDPGS must give approval for the choice of course/school and marker in advance. No additional funding for attendance at a "School" is available.
3. Mechanical Workshop skills training sessions (four 2-hour sessions) in the Workshop in the Physical Sciences Building. Assessment is by observation and questioning by a trained instructor on equipment use and health and safety issues.
4. LaTeX tuition: four 2-hour sessions on the document preparation system, covering (i) basics, (ii) articles, reports and theses, (iii) figures and references, and (iv) presentations. Assessment is by a presentation to a research group on the student’s research project, delivered using the beamer style.
NB All parts of this module may be assessed in Welsh if requested.

Notes

This module is at CQFW Level 7