PH5103 Project in Theoretical Physics (60)

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Module description

The project aims to develop students' skills in searching the physics literature and in research, the evaluation and interpretation of data, and in the presentation of results. There is no specific syllabus for this module. Students taking the MPhys degree select a project from a list offered, and are supervised by a member of staff. Project choice and some preparatory work is undertaken in semester one, but normally most of the 60 credits' worth of work is undertaken in semester two. The aim is that students provide the intellectual drive for the project work, and should take on a role similar to that of a research student in the School. Support will be offered by the academic staff member(s) supervising the project and often also by other members of a research team. A pre-project review precedes the research component of the project.

Additional information from school

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.

Please note that the definitive comments on continuous assessment will be communicated within the module.  This section is intended to give an indication of the likely breakdown and timing of the continuous assessment.

The topic of the project is normally chosen from a list provided by academic staff in semester one.  The project usually involves working on a topic that is relevant to one of our research groups, exploring or developing new materials for our teaching or investigating pedagogical questions, or developing and trialling new outreach activities.  Project allocations are assigned in semester one, and some work is required before the start of semester two, in reading relevant literature (in discussion with your supervisor), leading to a short pre-project review that is intended to help prepare for the main project work.  This document will focus on questions such as “Why am I going to do this project?”, “What am I going to do”, and “What evidence/science is there that will help get me there?”.  Thus whilst a review of the relevant literature is required, there is also a strong forward-look towards the main part of the project.  This pre-project review will have a deadline for submission near to the start of semester two.

The main part of the project module is intended to allow the student to use their knowledge and skills to explore some aspect of physics, theoretical physics or astrophysics, as appropriate to the degree programme.  The work may include elements which are experimental, computational, observational, or theoretical.  For a theory project (PH5103), the majority of the project should involve theoretical/computational work. For an astronomy project (AS5101), the majority of the project should be based in the area of astronomy, which may include aspects of pedagogy in astronomy or astronomy-based public engagement. The supervision, experience, and personal reflection should allow research and related skills to be developed further.  The student will meet with their supervisor, and possibly other members of the research group, regularly throughout the semester.  In order to provide some additional support students will meet with their peer-support group every two weeks.

A project report is submitted towards the end of semester 2.  Following this, each student will give a presentation on their project work to an assessment panel.  This is followed by the student being asked a number of questions about the science and methods etc. associated with their project work.

Accreditation Matters

This module contains students developing skills and experience in project work that is required for IOP accreditation of the degree.

General Information

Please also read the general information in the School's Honours handbook that is available via https://www.st-andrews.ac.uk/physics-astronomy/students/ug/timetables-handbooks/.