PH32017: MPhys / MSci project preparation
[Page last updated: 23 April 2025]
| Academic Year: | 2025/26 |
| Owning Department/School: | Department of Physics |
| Credits: | 5 [equivalent to 10 CATS credits] |
| Notional Study Hours: | 100 |
| Level: | Honours (FHEQ level 6) |
| Period: |
- Semester 2
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| Assessment Summary: | CWRI 100% |
| Assessment Detail: |
- Physics 芒锟斤拷hot topic芒锟斤拷 research report (CWRI 40%)
- MPhys research project proposal (CWRI 60%)
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| Supplementary Assessment: |
- Like-for-like reassessment (where allowed by programme regulations)
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| Requisites: |
Before or while taking this module you must take PH22007 OR take PH22010 OR take PH20105 OR take PH20123 OR take PH32018 OR take PH20107
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| Learning Outcomes: |
After taking this unit the student should be able to:
use bibliographic tools to research and analyse the development of a current hot topic in Physics;
write a report on this topic in the style and format of a journal paper;
research the scientific background to their research project or placement, and understand the academic or business context in which it will take place;
write a proposal for their research project or placement.
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| Synopsis: | You will gain an insight into the practice of research, enabling you to prepare for your final year MPhys/MSci research project or placement. This unit enables you to develop the skills and knowledge needed to make the most of your time during your project or placement. As well as further developing your transferable skills, you will also begin to learn the physics relevant to your final year MPhys/MSci research project or placement.
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| Content: | Scientific literature: Types of scientific papers (primary, review, conference) and their purpose. Scientific journals: pecking order, citations, impact factors. Searching the scientific literature, analysis and management of bibliographic information. The process of publication: editors, referees, the peer review process. Other forms of dissemination. Scientific writing. Case study of the development of a recent hot topic in physics.
Research in practice: Defining a research problem: aims, objectives, milestones, incremental vs adventurous. Project management: estimation of resources, estimation of timescales, critical path analysis, risk management, representation of project plans (Gantt charts). Ethical issues in research: nature of research, uses of research, acknowledgement of assistance, shared authorship, plagiarism, scientific fraud. Data management: record keeping, transparency, reproducibility, sharing of research data. Research funding: major funders of Physics research, research proposals, the peer review process.
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| Course availability: |
PH32017 is Compulsory on the following courses:
Department of Chemistry
- USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Biology) (Year 3)
- USSC-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Biology stream) with Study year abroad (Year 4)
- USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Biology stream) with Professional Placement (Year 4)
- USSC-AFM10 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Chemistry) (Year 3)
- USSC-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Chemistry stream) with Study year abroad (Year 4)
- USSC-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Natural Sciences (Physics with Chemistry stream) with Professional Placement (Year 4)
Department of Physics
- USPH-AFM20 : MPhys(Hons) Physics (Year 3)
- USPH-AAM12 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
- USPH-AKM03 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Professional Placement (Year 4)
- USPH-AKM04 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Professional and Research Placements (Year 4)
- USPH-AFM22 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics (Year 3)
- USPH-AAM14 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
- USPH-AKM10 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with Professional Placement (Year 4)
- USPH-AKM11 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with Professional and Research Placements (Year 4)
- USPH-AFM23 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with research placement (Year 3)
- USPH-AAM15 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Astrophysics with Study year abroad and Research Placement (Year 4)
- USPH-AFM21 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with research placement (Year 3)
- USPH-AAM13 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Study year abroad and Research Placement (Year 4)
- USPH-AFM24 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics (Year 3)
- USPH-AAM16 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
- USPH-AKM16 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with Professional Placement (Year 4)
- USPH-AKM17 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with Professional and Research Placements (Year 4)
- USPH-AFM25 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with research placement (Year 3)
- USPH-AAM17 : MPhys(Hons) Physics with Theoretical Physics with Study year abroad and Research Placement (Year 4)
- USPH-AFM26 : MSci(Hons) Mathematics and Physics (Year 3)
- USXX-AAM01 : MSci(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Study year abroad (Year 4)
- USXX-AKM01 : MSci(Hons) Mathematics and Physics with Year long work placement (Year 4)
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Notes: - This unit catalogue is applicable for the 2025/26 academic year only. Students continuing their studies into 2026/27 and beyond should not assume that this unit will be available in future years in the format displayed here for 2025/26.
- 好色tv and units are subject to change in accordance with normal University procedures.
- Availability of units will be subject to constraints such as staff availability, minimum and maximum group sizes, and timetabling factors as well as a student's ability to meet any pre-requisite rules.
- Find out more about these and other important University terms and conditions here.
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