PHY8033 : Extended Project (Astrophysics) - Undergraduate Study

Offered for Year: 2020/21

Module Leader(s): Dr Graeme Sarson

Owning School: Mathematics, Statistics and Physics
Teaching Location: Newcastle City Campus

Semesters

Semester 2 Credit Value:	45
ECTS Credits:	23.0

Aims

To enhance the understanding of physics through the experience of a research project
Students undertake a research project that is training for a future career as a professional physicist. The project is normally carried out in a research environment and is conducted by a member of staff with an expertise in the relevant academic field. Through working alongside a member of the research staff the student is introduced to research methodology.

Outline Of Syllabus

The list of research topics available is issued in the summer term of the preceding academic year. Students should discuss the topic they are interested in with staff member supervising the topic.

Teaching Methods

Please note that module leaders are reviewing the module teaching and assessment methods for Semester 2 modules, in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. There may also be a few further changes to Semester 1 modules. Final information will be available by the end of August 2020 in for Semester 1 modules and the end of October 2020 for Semester 2 modules.

Teaching Activities

Category	Activity	Number	Length	Student Hours	Comment
Guided Independent Study	Assessment preparation and completion	1	0:30	0:30	Presentation of key findings in a research symposium
Guided Independent Study	Assessment preparation and completion	1	90:00	90:00	Literature Review
Guided Independent Study	Assessment preparation and completion	1	15:30	15:30	Writing of presentation
Guided Independent Study	Project work	1	320:00	320:00	N/A
Scheduled Learning And Teaching Activities	Dissertation/project related supervision	12	2:00	24:00	Approximate student - project supervisor contact time.
Total				450:00

Teaching Rationale And Relationship

Students are allocated an academic supervisor to discuss the aims and objectives of the project to be undertaken. At the MPhys level students are expected to undertake the majority of the work independently and show a high degree of self-reliance.

The writing of the reports increases the depth of knowledge and understanding and helps to establish a systematic approach to the research in the module. The information retrieval necessary for the report provides an insight into the methods adopted by practising physicists and paves the way for future self-directed research.

Assessment Methods

The format of resits will be determined by the Board of Examiners

Exams

Description	Length	Semester	When Set	Percentage	Comment
Oral Presentation	30	2	M	20	30 minute presentation in a symposium style

Other Assessment

Description	Semester	When Set	Percentage	Comment
Dissertation	2	M	60	40 pages (excluding references and appendices)
Report	2	M	20	Literature review. 12 pages (excluding references and appendices)

Assessment Rationale And Relationship

From the various presentations plus report the ability of the student will be assessed regarding;
• subject-specific, core and cognitive skills
• self-reliance – assessed from general observations of the supervisor.
• self-motivation– assessed from general observations of the supervisor.
• innovation and initiative taking
• critical evaluation of results
established from a technical assessment of the initial study, implementation issues and evaluation of end project plus dissertation and the general observations of the supervisor

Reading Lists

PHY8033's Reading List

Timetable

Timetable Website: www.ncl.ac.uk/timetable/
PHY8033's Timetable

Module