PH5103 Project in Theoretical Physics (60)

2025 to 2026 Full Year

Curricular information may be subject to change

Further information on which modules are specific to your programme.

Key module information

SCOTCAT credits

The Scottish Credit Accumulation and Transfer (SCOTCAT) system allows credits gained in Scotland to be transferred between institutions. The number of credits associated with a module gives an indication of the amount of learning effort required by the learner. European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits are half the value of SCOTCAT credits.

SCQF level

SCQF level 11

The Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework (SCQF) provides an indication of the complexity of award qualifications and associated learning and operates on an ascending numeric scale from Levels 1-12 with SCQF Level 10 equating to a Scottish undergraduate Honours degree.

Availability restrictions

Available only to those in the final year of an MPhys programme in Theoretical Physics

Module description

The project aims to develop students' skills in searching the physics literature and in research, the evaluation and interpretation of data, and in the presentation of results. There is no specific syllabus for this module. Students taking the MPhys degree select a project from a list offered, and are supervised by a member of staff. Project choice and some preparatory work is undertaken in semester one, but normally most of the 60 credits' worth of work is undertaken in semester two. The aim is that students provide the intellectual drive for the project work, and should take on a role similar to that of a research student in the School. Support will be offered by the academic staff member(s) supervising the project and often also by other members of a research team. A pre-project review precedes the research component of the project.

Relationship to other modules

Pre-requisites

BEFORE TAKING THIS MODULE YOU MUST PASS PH3061

Anti-requisites

YOU CANNOT TAKE THIS MODULE IF YOU TAKE PH5102 OR TAKE PH5101 OR TAKE PH4111 OR TAKE AS4103 OR TAKE AS5101 OR TAKE PH4796

Assessment pattern

Coursework (review essay, report, oral examination) = 100%

Re-assessment

No Re-assessment available - Final year project

Learning and teaching methods and delivery

Weekly contact

Project students work "full-time" on their project through semester 2. It is expected that this component of the project work will correspond to ca. 40 hours per week. All students must meet weekly with their project supervisor and attend fortnightly meetings with their peer-support group. Most projects are based in research groups in the School, where members of research teams will provide additional supervision which could range from safety cover to assistance with equipment, computation or analysis, and discussion and interpretation of results.

Scheduled learning hours

The number of compulsory student:staff contact hours over the period of the module.

Guided independent study hours

577

The number of hours that students are expected to invest in independent study over the period of the module.