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PHY-30007 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2025/26 Last Updated: 04 December 2025

PHY-30007 - Physics Project - ISP
Coordinator: Steven Wye Tel: +44 1782 7 33852
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 6
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office: 01782 734921

Programme/Approved Electives for 2025/26

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2025/26

Students carry out a major project. The projects may be experimental, computational or theoretical. Projects involve development of experimental, analytical and reporting skills. Students will be producing a project plan at the end of week 6 and a progress report at the end of week 12. These will be formatively assessed by staff and peer partners. Students will be producing a final report for summative assessment by end of week 23.

Aims
This module aims to extend your understanding of physics in the context of independent project work and thereby develop your physics-specific and transferable skills. This project, which may be experimental, computational or theoretical, will allow you to build on the skills base you have acquired during levels 1 and 2 of the course. By the end of the module you will demonstrate good comprehension, planning and execution of your project by applying previously learned skills and knowledge of physics or acquiring new expertise, as appropriate. You will learn how to manage an extensive research investigation and will acquire the ability to work independently demonstrating efficiency, effectiveness and diligence You will learn how to exercise considered discrimination in the pursuit of your specific research activities, both in searching for relevant contextual data and in the choice and presentation of results. Your work will be organised into a clearly argued and presented report of standardised format that makes effective use of relevant literature, theory and analysis and is written in a grammatically correct prose style with clear and appropriate illustrations.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/phy-30007/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate good comprehension, planning and execution of the project.: 1,2
Give a short presentation on the progress of the project.: 1
Produce a clear, accurate and informative project report.: 3
Demonstrate a good understanding of the literature associated with the project theme.: 3

Study hours

60 hours laboratory time.
50 hours independent research and study.
34 hours report writing.
6 hours preparation for oral presentation.

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Presentation weighted 20%
Presentation aim at potential employer
Presentation of approximately 10 minutes duration aimed at a potential employer followed by questions from peers and assessors. The presentation should briefly summarize the context and results from the project work for a non-expert audience, and describe the skills that the student has gained as a result of doing the project that are applicable to the role the student would be applying for with the employer.

2: Project weighted 30%
Assessment of project execution
The project’s performance will be evaluated based on aspects such as Planning, Organisation, Work Efficiency, Skill, Autonomy, Contribution, Skill Development, and the Quality and Relevance of the Project Plan and Progress Report. You will also be reviewing your peer partner’s Project Plan and Progress Report. The project’s execution is evaluated based on the work carried out in the laboratory during semesters 1 and 2. This assessment is informed by discussions during laboratory sessions, which cover all progress aspects of the project’s execution, and by active involvement in the peer review process.

3: Research Report weighted 50%
Research report
Report of about 4500 words (excluding the bibliography) on context, aims, background theory, methods, results and conclusions from the research conducted by the student aimed at final-year physics student who is unfamiliar with the project.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 04 December 2025