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School of Physical and Geographical Sciences  
 
 
PHY-30006 Astrophysics Group Project and Science Communication - ISP  
Co-ordinator: Dr Pierre Maxted    Room: LJ2.06, Tel:33457  
Teaching Team: Prof Rob  Jeffries, Mrs Patricia  Pointon  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 3 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office:
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Prerequisites

To have successfully passed second year Astrophysics modules. Students progressing from the second year into the third year of the courses listed will have completed the Astrophysical Skills and techniques in level 1, and PHY-20002 Stellar Astrophysics as well as the 2nd year programme of practical work in Astrophysics, on which this module will build.

Barred Combinations

None

Description

Students carry out a major project as part of a team activity. Projects are attached to research group and involve development of data analysis and reporting skills. 6 hours laboratory

Aims

A: To give the students experience of project work in a realistic framework using research-quality astrophysical data. B: To give the students experience of organising and working in a team and to guide them in the development of the necessary skills. C: To develop further students' skills in communicating science to a range of audiences.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Successful students will demonstrate the ability to plan, manage and execute a research project [1].
Successful students will demonstrate the ability to work with and analyse astrophysical data and interpret the results [1].
Successful students will demonstrate the ability to design and present a poster paper suitable for a scientific conference [2].
Successful students will demonstrate the ability to communicate orally scientific findings and results to an audience of scientific peers [4].
Successful students will demonstrate the ability to communicate scientific findings and results in writing for a non-expert readership [3].

Study hours

Computer laboratory sessions: 60
Project meetings: 17
Attending presentations: 3
Project work, research, preparation: 40
Writing reports, articles, talks and posters: 30


Description of Module Assessment

001: Report weighted 70%
Project Reports


002: Poster Presentation weighted 10%
Poster presentation


003: Report weighted 10%
New Scientist style article


004: Presentation weighted 10%
Oral presentation to peer group



Version: (1.06B) Updated: 02/Oct/2013

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