AS5599 Astrophysics Research Project (MSc)

Academic year

2024 to 2025 Full Year

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

60

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Available only to students on MSc Astrophysics.

Module Staff

TBC

This information is given as indicative. Staff involved in a module may change at short notice depending on availability and circumstances.

Module description

The project aims to develop students' skills in searching the appropriate literature, in astrophysical theory or experimental and observational design, the evaluation and interpretation of data, and the presentation of a report. There is no specific syllabus for this module. Students taking the MSc Astrophysics degree select a project from a list of those available and are supervised by a member of the academic staff.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

REGISTRATION ON MSC ASTROPHYSICS. SOME PROJECTS WILL NEED LEARNING FROM SPECIFIC MODULES - PLEASE CONTACT POTENTIAL SUPERVISORS.

Co-requisites

YOU MUST ALSO TAKE AS5500

Assessment pattern

Coursework = 100%

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

1hr peer group session x 11 weeks, 1hr supervisory meeting x 11 weeks, 1hr research seminar x 12 weeks

Scheduled learning hours

34

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

566

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.

Additional information from school

Overview

 

Aims & Objectives

This module aims to present students with the opportunity to enhance and develop their research skills through extended scientific investigation. The aim is to prepare the student for research in a professional environment where reviewing literature effectively, planning, critical thinking and the final presentation of data are key elements.

 

Learning Outcomes

At the end of this module the student should have:

  • Developed a level of confidence to plan and work independently in a research environment.
  • Developed their literature review skills to effectively emphasise the relevance and context of a research topic.
  • Acquired technical skills to record and/or analyse data appropriately or perform appropriate calculations or simulations.
  • Developed critical thinking skills in order to progress their own work through reasoned evaluation.
  • Gained experience of the collaborative exchange of ideas in an active research environment.
  • Have further enhanced their communication and presentation skills to enable them to emphasise the key outcomes of their work effectively and to support their conclusions when questioned.

 

Synopsis

The module is project-based and the scheme of work will be dictated by the nature of the project itself.

 

Additional information on continuous assessment etc

The marking guidelines for both the dissertation (including supervisory report) and viva are available on the moodle page of this module.

 

Accreditation Matters

n/a

 

Recommended Books

n/a