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PHYS6016 Particle Physics Research Project

Module Overview

This unit aims to give Southampton fourth year students a taste of real research, and aims to give RAL supervisors the chance to work with first class students wanting to do a research project. 

Upon successful completion of the project the student will have completed the final year of their Physics with Particle Physics Year Abroad MPhys degree.  The RAL supervisor will have directed completion of a significant research ideally of publishable quality.

Aims & Objectives

Aims

 At the end of this module you should:

1. Understand the use of accelerators in the study of elementary particles and their interactions.

2. Be able to work in large teams of experimental particle physicists.

3. Understand various methods in the acquisition and analysis of particle physics data.

Syllabus

This unit entirely consists of a research-level project. The project titles and brief abstracts are made available to students at the end of their third year, in the period between the end of the examinations (early June) and the results being released (late June). Students submit their preferences after studying these and consulting with local Southampton staff, which will then direct students to contact potential RAL hosts. A final allocation is made by 15 July. Students are advised to have a preliminary discussion with their RAL hosts before the summer vacation to discuss any background reading or other preparation that could be carried out during the vacation.

Learning & Teaching

Learning & teaching methods

ActivityDescriptionHours
Fieldwork

Assessment

Assessment methods

For AY2016/17 onwards: The stay at CERN will typically be for 8 months. Payable home accommodation will be provided by RAL staff, and tuition fees will be charged at 15% of the standard level. A £500 Southampton Opportunity scholarship will be awarded to help cover for the difference in living costs between Southampton and Geneva and the purchase of at least one return flight.

MethodHoursPercentage contribution
First Semester Report-10%
Final Report-50%
Oral Examination-20%
Seminar Presentation-20%

Referral Method: By re-write of the project report and re-viva (the original progress report mark will be carried forward)

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PHYS6006 MPhys Project

Module Overview

In this course students undertake a major research project which extends over both semesters. Students normally work in pairs, in close collaboration with a member of staff. The aim of the project is to further develop the skills necessary for research, along with written and verbal communication skills

Aims & Objectives

Aims

After studying this course students should:

•  have developed their initiative and originality.

•  have developed their organisational skills in the allocation of areas of responsibility and the preparation of a schedule allowing completion of the project on time.

•  have developed skills in decision making and the determination of priorities.

•  have further developed their literature searching and comprehension skills.

•  have developed team working skills through the interaction of the two students and the project supervisor.

•  have extended skills in laboratory or theoretical work such as the application of scientific method, the keeping of systematic records and the critical analysis of results.

•  have developed the ability to discuss the results in a broader context.

•  have developed communication skills through the presentation of written accounts of their work.

•  have developed IT skills through the preparation of word processed reports including equations, figures and tables.

•  have developed personal confidence and verbal communication skills through the defence of their work in an oral examination.

Syllabus

Projects may be experimental, computational or theoretical. Students registered for `MPhys with...' degrees are normally required to choose a project involving their subsidiary subject. Proposals for projects are normally put forward by members of staff; students may suggest their own projects, but their viability in terms of time, space and cost must be verified by the proposed supervisor and the program coordinator.

Learning & Teaching

Learning & teaching methods

ActivityDescriptionHours
Specialist Lab24

Assessment

Assessment methods

MethodHoursPercentage contribution
Supervisor mark - Overall performance during the year 15%, Progress report 5%, Final report 20%-40%
Examiner 1 mark - Final report 18%, viva 9%, lay report 3%-30%
Examiner 2 mark - Final report 18%, viva 9%, lay report 3%-30%

Referral Method: There is no referral opportunity for this syllabus in same academic year

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PHYS3018 Bachelor of Science Project

Module Overview

The aim of the Physics Project is to give students training in undertaking a major research-type project which can be in any area of physics, either theoretical or experimental. The project should normally be completed in the first semester, although in unusual circumstances, it may be finished in the second semester. Students normally work in pairs, in close collaboration with a member of staff. By undertaking a project students should develop skills which are necessary for experimental or theoretical research (such as initiative, decision making, determining priorities, searching and learning relevant material from literature, ability to collaborate and to report results).

Aims & Objectives

Aims

•  After studying this course students should:

•  be able to present their work in a written report in the style of a research thesis,

•  be able to give a short account of their work intelligible to the general reader,

•  be able to use the appropriate scientific literature databases for the field of their project (ISI Web of Science, HEP-SPIRES or NASA ADSABS)

•  have further developed their general skills such as planning, observation, record keeping, processing and interpreting results, as well as working on open-ended problems

•  have learned the benefits of good time management or conversely the folly of leaving everything to the last minute,

•  have experienced some of the challenges and frustrations of scientific research.

Syllabus

Projects may run in any area of physics and may be experimental, computational or theoretical.

Learning & Teaching

Learning & teaching methods

ActivityDescriptionHours
Specialist Lab24

Assessment

Assessment methods

MethodHoursPercentage contribution
Supervisor - Performance during the semester 20%, Final report 27%, viva 10%, Lay report 3%-60%
Examiner- Final report 27%, viva 10%, Lay report 3%-40%

Referral Method: There is no referral opportunity for this syllabus in same academic year

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