Summary of Content:

The students will carry out a project drawn from one of several areas of physics. The project may be experimental or theoretical in nature. Many of the projects reflect the research interests of members of academic staff. Students work in pairs and are expected to produce a plan of work and to identify realistic goals for their project. Each pair has a project supervisor responsible for the scientific direction of the project.

Aims of Project part of Module:

To provide students with experience in formulating, and the skills to solve, a research or development problem; to produce a comprehensive final report of their work.

Learning Outcomes:

Knowledge and Understanding:

Knowledge and understanding of the scientific method and understanding of how basic principles are applied in a range of situations;

Knowledge of scientific programming methods (e.g. for controlling experiments in practical projects).

Intellectual Skills:

The ability to analyse data and draw

sensible conclusions from that data.

Professional/Practical Skills:

The ability to apply principles of experimental design, methodology, safety and analysis (practical projects);

The ability to use mathematical and/or computational techniques to solve a physical problem (theoretical project).

Transferable Skills:

The ability to record actions and observations in a clear manner; The

ability to communicate work done to other scientists.