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PHY-40043 - Module Specification
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Faculty of Natural Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 17 March 2026

PHY-40043 - MSci Literature Review and Scientific Communication
Coordinator: John Taylor Tel: +44 1782 7 33494
Lecture Time: See Timetable...
Level: Level 7
Credits: 30
Study Hours: 300
School Office: 01782 734921

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27


Aims
This module aims to develop an understanding and knowledge of the primary astrophysical literature, the skills needed to assimilate and synthesise concepts from the literature, the skills needed to present scientific concepts to students at Masters and lower levels, and the independent thought processes required to describe and respond to questions on a specific topic.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Research a chosen topic at the forefront of modern astrophysics research, assemble information from a variety of sources, and combine information from multiple sources into a coherent description of the topic.: 1,2,3
Construct a literature review on a chosen topic at the forefront of modern astrophysics research including suitable content, structure, referencing and wording.: 1
Describe the chosen topic in a format suitable for consumption by the general public.: 2
Produce a description of a chosen topic at the forefront of modern astrophysics research in a format chosen by the student.: 3

Study hours

Active learning hours:
20 hours tutorial attendance and discussions
Independent study hours:
130 hours researching the chosen topic
50 hours writing the literature review
50 hours writing the press release and preparing for the Q&A session
50 hours producing the assessment type of choice

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Literature Review weighted 40%
Literature review 4000 words
Literature review, equivalent to approximately 4000 words, on a suitable topic in astrophysics chosen by the student and distinct from their MSci project topic. It will be a formal document including coherent arguments, tables or figures, and appropriate references to the primary astrophysics literature.

2: Assignment weighted 30%
Press release with question-and-answer session
Press release including question-and-answer session on the chosen astrophysical topic, suitable for a general audience. The press release is of length approximately 1000 words, and the question-and-answer session is 20 minutes (equivalent to approximately 2000 words).

3: Options weighted 30%
Assessment type chosen by student.
Assessment on the chosen astrophysical topic. Assessment type chosen by the student from a set of options. Options may include writing a webpage, an article for a suitable publication, or undertaking outreach. The assessment effort will be equivalent to approximately 3000 words and should involve an element of science communication.

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: 17 March 2026