The communication skills component brings together all the skills that you have gained in the previous two years: finding and evaluating information; written, oral and poster presentations. You prepare individual contributions for a conference that will be attended by all students taking this module, namely a poster and a talk. You will also prepare a project plan, and timetable for your project.
BSc Project
The BSc project is an open-ended investigation which is conducted in small groups or individually. Each project has a specific academic supervisor who will give guidance and assistance as needed at regular supervisory meetings.
A list of the projects on offer for each academic year is made available towards the end of Term 3 of the preceding academic year. Projects will be offered in areas specific to your degree programme.
Project work builds on the expertise that you have already acquired in Years 1 and 2. The aim is to develop your ability to design, carry out and report on an extended investigation. The project will provide an opportunity for creativity and original thought on your part.
For further details, see the BSc Projects Student Handbook and assessment pro forma, which will be available on the VLE
Further details will be given by the Project Module Co-ordinator at the beginning of term 1 in the form of an induction session.
Module learning outcomes
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Professional Skills
Research current trends on the project topic
Communicate physics ideas from the project to peers
Communicate physics ideas from the project to a general audience in the form of a media release
Prepare and deliver individual oral and poster conference-style presentations
Participate in a conference
Prepare a project plan and timetable
Prepare a health and safety risk assessment under supervisor's guidance
Learn scientific writing skills and receive a training workshop on this topic
BSc Project
To plan, design, carry out and report on an extended research project investigation
Whilst doing this you will develop the following skills:
the ability to investigate an area of physics relevant to your specialist area [Experimental, Astrophysics, Physics with Philosophy, Maths and Physics, or Theoretical Physics] in a systematic way using appropriate critical assessment of literature sources, experimental, observational, computational, theoretical, and/or mathematical techniques
the ability to work independently and plan and organise effectively to achieve the project goals
to collaborate with project partners (internal and external), and, where applicable, interact with other group members
to acquire from databases and libraries original source references [published scientific papers, books, etc.], and to critically assess these
to systematically and contemporaneously record the project work carried out in a paper-based hard-bound or electronic notebook
to research and write background material
to assess the significance of your project outcomes against what is already known in the area of your project topic via the critical assessment of the literature
to communicate the project outcome in a final written form [formal project report] and in an oral examination [project viva]
For further details see the BSc Projects Student Handbook and assessment pro forma, which will be available on the VLE.
Module content
Students taking this module should have taken one of the stage 2 laboratory modules - either PHY00009I, PHY00020I, PHY00010I or PHY00011I. Where students have not taken PHY00030I (Mathematics II), they should have taken an appropriate maths module before selecting this module.
Indicative assessment
Task
% of module mark
Essay/coursework
35
Essay/coursework
50
Essay/coursework
10
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
5
Special assessment rules
Non-compensatable
Additional assessment information
For further details see the BSc Projects Student Handbook and assessment pro forma, which will be available on the VLE.
Indicative reassessment
Task
% of module mark
Essay/coursework
35
Essay/coursework
50
Essay/coursework
10
Oral presentation/seminar/exam
5
Module feedback
Our policy on how you receive feedback for formative and summative purposes is contained in our Department Handbook.
Indicative reading
Reading recommendations - will be advised by the project supervisor as appropriate.