2020/21 Undergraduate Module Catalogue
PHYS3152 Project
40 creditsClass Size: 114
Module manager: Dr Peter Adams
Email: P.G.Adams@leeds.ac.uk
Taught: Semesters 1 & 2 (Sep to Jun) View Timetable
Year running 2020/21
Pre-requisite qualifications
Level 2 Physics or equivalentThis module is mutually exclusive with
| PHYS3160 | Physics Project (Jh) |
| PHYS3777 | Advanced Experimental Techniques and Analysis |
| PHYS3778 | Advanced Lab (MNatSci) |
| PHYS5014M | Research Project |
This module is not approved as a discovery module
Objectives
For all projects, the student should:- Carry out an independent research programme, under the supervision of one or more members of staff within one of the existing research groups of the department.
- Prepare and plan out a programme of research and analysis of literature (a dissertation) in Physics or a related discipline under the guidance of the supervisor.
- Carry out some analysis of data from the literature (e.g. experimental data) or generated during the project (e.g. computational/ theoretical/ educational work).
- Execute this programme of work independently.
Learning outcomes
Dissertation projects:
- Conduct an extensive search of the literature to find and catalogue the most important publications within a field (both ground-breaking early papers and the current state-of-the-art)
- Critically assess the current state of research in the topic under review, including the theoretical framework and conclusions of current research.
- Performed some qualitative analysis (e.g., critical comparison) or quantitative analysis (e.g., numerical calculations) which may use data from the literature or data generated by the student (computational/ theoretical/ educational). Laboratory based-experimental work is not possible on this module.
- Write a well-structured report (approx. 8000 words) that explains, summarizes and critically appraises this literature and suggests possible knowledge gaps which remain in the field. Report the analysis of data and/or provide new knowledge and/or novel findings from analysis of the literature. This report should use in precise scientific language, ideally in the style of a refereed review article for a journal in the field.
Skills outcomes
For all projects, the student should gain the following skills:
- Planning and executing literature-based/computational/theoretical projects.
- Confidence in report writing and ability to present work to a small group of peers through an audiovisual presentation.
Syllabus
Selection of dissertation topic; literature search; literature analysis; preparation of draft report; preparation of final report (approximately 8,000 words); oral presentation.
Note: Physics with Astrophysics students carry out projects in astrophysics.
Teaching methods
| Delivery type | Number | Length hours | Student hours |
| Supervision | 10 | 1.00 | 10.00 |
| Independent Learning | 80 | 2.00 | 160.00 |
| Private study hours | 230.00 | ||
| Total Contact hours | 170.00 | ||
| Total hours (100hr per 10 credits) | 400.00 | ||
Private study
Dissertations:- Literature analysis and dissertation development: 160 hours
- Report writing: 200 hours
- Talk preparation: 30 hours.
Opportunities for Formative Feedback
- Regular meetings (e.g. one every 2 weeks) with supervisor in Semester 1 and Semester 2 until Easter break- Feedback on draft reports/talks from supervisor in Semesters 1 and 2.
Methods of assessment
Coursework
| Assessment type | Notes | % of formal assessment |
| In-course Assessment | Continuous assessment in Semester 1 | 35.00 |
| Report | Final project report | 45.00 |
| Oral Presentation | Oral presentation | 20.00 |
| Total percentage (Assessment Coursework) | 100.00 | |
Regarding “resits” and “mitigating circumstances”: if students have undertaken project work then an extension may be granted for them to write up the final report and deliver oral presentations. If they have not undertaken any or enough work to write up, then ask them to undertake new project. In either case, students pay for this as a resit. Students are required to submit ALL elements of the coursework in order to pass the module including the “project notebook” (sometimes called a “weekly progress notebook”).
Reading list
The reading list is available from the Library websiteLast updated: 12/10/2020 15:48:24
Browse Other Catalogues
- Undergraduate module catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate module catalogue
- Undergraduate programme catalogue
- Taught Postgraduate programme catalogue
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