RESEARCH PROJECT AND DISSERTATION - 2023/4

Module code: PHYM021

Module Overview

All students aiming for the MSc degree qualification undertake an MSc dissertation project. Students choose a project either from a list of proposed topics within the University, or in some cases arrangement is made for the project to be undertaken in industrial, research or hospital-based environment. The majority of part-time students arrange to undertake the project in their place of work. Students are assigned a supervisor relating to the project chosen. Students undertaking their project outside of the University are assigned both an internal and an external supervisor.

The work is assessed as follows:

Project write-up

A write up of no more than 40 pages in total, including title page, brief abstract, text, diagrams and references must be submitted. Supervisors will give guidance on the layout of the project and the first draft of material where appropriate.

When referencing in your written work, you should use the Harvard referencing system unless otherwise directed by the Module Co-ordinator. Further information relating to referencing in your work, can be found on the University Library website at

http://www.surrey.ac.uk/library/subject/bibref/

Module provider

Mathematics & Physics

Module Leader

PODOLYAK Zsolt (Maths & Phys)

Number of Credits: 60

ECTS Credits: 30

Framework: FHEQ Level 7

Module cap (Maximum number of students): N/A

Overall student workload

Independent Learning Hours: 589

Guided Learning: 11

Module Availability

Semester 2

Prerequisites / Co-requisites

None

Module content

Assessment pattern

Assessment type	Unit of assessment	Weighting
Project (Group/Individual/Dissertation)	Dissertation	80
Oral exam or presentation	Oral defence (viva voce examination)	20

Alternative Assessment

There is no alternative assessment for this module.

Assessment Strategy

The assessment strategy is designed to provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate

The assessment strategy is based on giving the students the opportunity to demonstrate through the presentation of a written dissertation, that they have performed independent research and scholarship in an area of radiation science. The student will carry out independent research that demonstrates an advanced level of knowledge and understanding in the general area of radiation sciences. The content of the written dissertation will demonstrate that the student has contributed to the design and management of a defined programme of research, embedded within the radiation sciences. The written dissertation will also demonstrate well-developed written, numerical and/or analytical skills associated with a post-graduate level understand of radiation science.

Thus, the summative assessment for this module consists of:

The writing and submission of an independently written research dissertation (40 pages maximum). 80%.

An oral defence (viva voce examination) 20%

Formative assessment and feedback

The students will be supervised by a qualified academic and who will be responsible for providing feedback on the project description, outline and work plan. The supervisor may also provide comments and input into a pre-submission draft of the dissertation. The assessment for the work will be awarded by independent marking of the submitted dissertation by (at least) two independent academic markers and by oral examination by two independent assessors who can benchmark the dissertations in that cohort against each other. In both cases, the supervisor won't be one of the markers.

Module aims

This module provides exposure to independent research at postgraduate level.

Learning outcomes

		Attributes Developed
001
002	Demonstrate self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and act autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level.	KCPT
003	Present a synoptic research activity appropriate for M-level.	KCPT
004	Investigate and critically review relevant literature on a chosen research topic to establish the need for further research in this area.	KCPT
005	Carry out the methodology, analyse and synthesise the results obtained. (Normally from both primary and secondary research)	KCPT
006	Derive conclusions from the research conducted and formulate recommendations to industry and/or future researchers.	KCPT
007	Synthesise and apply in a practical context, the knowledge, understanding and skills developed in the taught elements of the programme.	KCPT
008	Application of research techniques to demonstrate independant problem solving ability, critical analysis and (where possible) original research of relevance to radiation physics work.	KCPT
009	Perform a literature survey of up to date relevant research in a particular area so as to be able to evaluate critically current research and advanced scholarship in the discipline	KCPT
010	Development of experimental/computation technical skills associated with radiation protection based project work.	KCPT
011	Demonstration of self-direction and originality in tackling and solving problems, and action autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level.	KCPT
012	Demonstrate an ability to deal with complex issues both systematically and creatively, make sound judgements in the absence of complete data, and communicate their conclusions clearly to specialist and non-specialist audiences	KCPT
013	Time management	CPT
014	Independent learning ability required for continuing professional development	PT
015	The exercise of initiative and personal responsibility	KCPT
016	Report writing	KCPT
017	IT skills and communication	KCPT
018	Data evaluation and critical analysis	KCPT
019	Written presentation of a formal dissertation.	KCPT

Attributes Developed

C - Cognitive/analytical

K - Subject knowledge

T - Transferable skills

P - Professional/Practical skills

Methods of Teaching / Learning

Post-graduate-level, dissertation project work through guided, supervised research.

Indicated Lecture Hours (which may also include seminars, tutorials, workshops and other contact time) are approximate and may include in-class tests where one or more of these are an assessment on the module. In-class tests are scheduled/organised separately to taught content and will be published on to student personal timetables, where they apply to taken modules, as soon as they are finalised by central administration. This will usually be after the initial publication of the teaching timetable for the relevant semester.

Reading list

https://readinglists.surrey.ac.uk
Upon accessing the reading list, please search for the module using the module code: PHYM021

Programmes this module appears in

Programme	Semester	Classification	Qualifying conditions
Medical Physics MSc	2	Compulsory	A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module
Nuclear Science and Applications MSc	2	Compulsory	A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module
Radiation and Environmental Protection MSc	2	Compulsory	A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module
Physics MSc	2	Compulsory	A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module

Please note that the information detailed within this record is accurate at the time of publishing and may be subject to change. This record contains information for the most up to date version of the programme / module for the 2023/4 academic year.