School of Physical and Geographical Sciences  
 
 
PHY-30017 Dissertation  
Co-ordinator: Dr Jacco Van Loon    Room: LJ2.07, Tel:33331  
Teaching Team:  
Level: 3 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office:
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Prerequisites

Registration on level 3 of Physics with Astrophysics

Barred Combinations

None

Description

A core module for Astrophysics majors. Appreciation of the primary astrophysics literature, the relevance of presentation skills to science and an appreciation of the open-endedness of research. The assessment is based on a written dissertation, a poster and verbal presentation.



Aims

This module aims to develop an appreciation of the primary astrophysical literature, to develop self-study skills needed to assimilate the literature, to convey the relevance of presentation skills to science, and develop an appreciation of the open-ended nature of research

Intended Learning Outcomes

1. Students will have the ability to read and evaluate primary literature.
2. Students will have the ability to understand in overview an area of current research in astrophysics, and convey that understanding through a written dissertation, and by a verbal presentation.
3. Students will have an appreciation of the impact of current astronomical data on the area of research chosen for their dissertation
4. Students will have developed their self-study skills and their written and verbal presentation skills.

Study hours

8 hours tutorial attendance
8 hour talk and poster session
70 hours research and private study
32 hours writing the dissertation
16 hours talk preparation
16 hours poster preparation

Description of Module Assessment

001: Dissertation weighted 60%
Dissertation of +/- 4000 words


002: Poster Presentation weighted 20%
Poster presentation


003: Oral Presentation weighted 20%
10 minute oral presentation



Version: (1.04S) Created: 04/Jun/2010

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.