RESEARCH PROJECT AND DISSERTATION - 2025/6
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: 588
Guided Learning: 11
Captured Content: 1
Module Availability
Semester 2
Prerequisites / Co-requisites
None
Module content
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.
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
N/A
Assessment Strategy
Assessment strategy
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 | 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 |
| 002 | Present a synoptic research activity appropriate for M-level. | KCPT |
| 003 | Investigate and critically review relevant literature on a chosen research topic to establish the need for further research in this area. | KCPT |
| 004 | Carry out the methodology, analyse and synthesise the results obtained. (Normally from both primary and secondary research) | KCPT |
| 005 | Derive conclusions from the research conducted and formulate recommendations to industry and/or future researchers. | KCPT |
| 006 | Synthesise and apply in a practical context, the knowledge, understanding and skills developed in the taught elements of the programme. | KCPT |
| 007 | Application of research techniques to demonstrate independant problem solving ability, critical analysis and (where possible) original research. | KCPT |
| 008 | 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 |
| 009 | Development of experimental/computation technical skills associated with radiation protection based project work. | KCPT |
| 010 | Demonstration of self-direction, time management skills and originality in tackling and solving problems, and action autonomously in planning and implementing tasks at a professional or equivalent level. | KCPT |
| 011 | 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 |
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
Other information
The School of Mathematics and Physics is committed to developing graduates with strengths in Employability, Digital Capabilities, Global and Cultural Capabilities, Sustainability, and Resourcefulness and Resilience. This module is designed to allow students to develop knowledge, skills, and capabilities in the following areas:
Digital Capabilities: Throughout the module several students (project dependent) will engage with large and complex datasets (‘big data’) and will develop their computational skills in analysing this data using both Python and other bespoke computational languages.
Employability: The module introduces learners to experimental equipment and techniques used by professional scientists in both industry and academia. Students are given more responsibility for planning the project work (both experimental and theoretical), including the relevant health and safety and technical aspects and work. All student produce a dissertation report and have a viva-voce viva. The module, therefore, represents a key opportunity to practise and develop problem solving skills.
Resourcefulness and Resilience: Problem solving is a key component of this module with students given the opportunity to tackle more involved problems i with more
freedom and over a longer period of time. Students will be required draw upon individual and collective resourcefulness and develop a problem solving mindset as they risk assess, adapt and respond to challenges faced over the ~12 weeks project.
Global and Cultural Capabilities: several students will have their project work undertaken outside the university, such as hospitals and industrial partners. This will allow them to reflect on cultural differences present in different organisations.
Sustainability: Modern technology and devices have the capability to consume significant resources in construction, and energy during use, and the course will expose students to
the ways in which these problems may occur. Technology can also be a major part of the solution. These aspects are addressed in project (depending on the project).
Programmes this module appears in
| Programme | Semester | Classification | Qualifying conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nuclear Science and Applications MSc | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Medical Physics MSc | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Nuclear Science and Radiation Protection MSc | 2 | Compulsory | A weighted aggregate mark of 50% is required to pass the module |
| Applied Quantum Computing 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 2025/6 academic year.