MSc EuroMasters in Physics HANDBOOK 2015/16

Transcription

1 POSTGRADUATE TAUGHT PROGRAMMES MSc EuroMasters in Physics HANDBOOK 2015/16 FACULTY OF SCIENCES

2 CONTENTS 1 Introduction Programme Structure and Requirements Study at Two Institutions PH754: The MSc in Physics (EuroMasters) Research Project SPS Staff...12 The information in this Course Handbook should be read in conjunction with the School handbook and University handbook which can be found online at: sciences/handbooks/index.html The information contained in this Handbook was correct at the time of going to print. The University, however, reserves the right to modify or cancel any statement in this Handbook (including the addition, withdrawal or restructuring of modules and programmes of study) at any time without prior notice. Page 2

3 1 Introduction Welcome to the University of Kent and the two- year Masters degree in Physics to European specifications. It is a rigorous programme and requires a sound knowledge of physics to bachelors level before starting. It contains a single path with Physics, Astrophysics and Space Science strands including a mouth- watering range of options in modern physics. The programme is aimed at generating motivated students ready for innovative careers in the international science marketplace or for subsequent doctoral programmes at major European Graduate Schools. This programme bridges the gap between taught and research programmes containing elements of both. The degree has been developed in partnership with the South East Physics Network (SEPnet - which comprises the universities of Kent, Portsmouth, Queen Mary London, Royal Holloway London, Southampton, Surrey and Sussex, plus from 1 st August 2013 The Open University and the University of Hertfordshire. The programme involves both a taught and research component. In the first year students follow a taught Masters course which includes specialised research, and in the second year students undertake an advanced research project with the option to change locations to any SEPnet partner university or research institution if so desired. This may include CERN in Switzerland, the UK s Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, ISIS, Diamond or NPL. The MSc in Physics (EuroMasters) is fully compatible with the European Credit Transfer Accumulation System across the European Union and other collaborating European countries, and qualifies students to pursue a career in Physics or a PhD upon completion. It is also open to UK entrants. Michael Smith, Director of Graduate Studies, says: The EuroMasters offers an unrivalled opportunity to gain an internationally recognised degree and create a flexible programme from several leading universities. The second year in Advanced Research encourages students to relocate to one of our partner universities or research institutions in either the UK, or continental Europe, providing an invaluable network of contacts and impressive CVs. This is designed to give graduates a competitive edge in the international job market." Page 3

4 2 Programme Structure & Requirements Each year comprises two 12- week teaching terms and a third 6- week examinations term. Thus, there are 60 study weeks in total. The course is divided into study blocks called modules, each of which has a credit value of 15 credits. Each 15 credit module represents approximately 150 hours of student learning, endeavour and assessment including up to a maximum of 50 hours of direct teaching. The structure of the programmes is shown below, with details being available in the SPS Student Handbook and on the departmental web site ( sciences/). It is important to note that the programme, as laid out below, is subject to change in terms of available Modules and their scheduling. The programme is studied over two years full time. It is divided into two stages each comprising of 120 credits and students must achieve specified requirements before being permitted to proceed to the next stage. For full- time students each stage represents an academic year of study. Thus, for a full- time student each year of study involves approximately 1200 hours of learning time. To be eligible for the award of a Master of Science in Physics degree students have to obtain 240 credits, at least 210 of which must be at Level 7 (M- Level). At its discretion the University allows for narrow failure in a small proportion of modules to be compensated by good performance in other modules or, in cases of documented illness or other mitigating circumstances, condoned. Because of the intellectually progressive nature of this degree programme, each year's study builds on the previous year, and requires successful completion of all of the previous year's study as a pre- requisite. For this reason, Boards of Examiners will NOT permit the trailing of any modules except at their discretion in exceptional circumstances. Also at its discretion the University may decide to award a postgraduate diploma to students who do not continue to the second year of this degree at Kent or any of the SEPnet partner institutions provided they have gained 120 credits overall with at least 90 credits at level M. Furthermore, students who have been unable to complete year 1 successfully, but who have achieved at least 60 credits from any of the modules are eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Certificate. Page 4

5 Year 1 The first year required modules are as follows: PH709 - Space Astronomy and Solar System Science PH711 Rocketry and Human Space Flight PH712 - Cosmology and Interstellar Medium PH722 - Particle and Quantum Physics PH751 - Research Review PH752 - Magnetism and Superconductivity PS700 Physical Science Research Planning PS701 Topics in Functional Materials Year 2 In the second year students will undertake an advanced research project, PH754, which is worth 120 credits. Students can stay at Kent for the research project, or transfer to a SEPnet partner university or research institute. Students who have successfully completed the first year at a SEPnet partner university may transfer to Kent in order to undertake the research project here in the second year. This programme is conducted in the English Language. Code Title Level Credits Term(s) Year 1 Required Modules (link to module catalogue for further detail) PH709 Space Astronomy and Solar System Science M 15 1 PH711 Rocketry and Human Space Flight M 15 2 PH712 Cosmology and Interstellar Medium M 15 2 PH722 Particle and Quantum Physics M 15 1 PH751 Research Review M PH752 Magnetism and Superconductivity M 15 2 PS700 Physical Science Research Planning M PS701 Topics in Functional Materials M Year 2 Required Modules PH754 EuroMasters Research Project M Study at Two Institutions All students will have the option to transfer to a SEPnet partner institution Page 5

6 or to a third party institution such as RAL or CERN or another University with research links to the SEPnet group subject to progress and to another institution wishing to accept them for the Research Project. There is no guarantee, but there is expectation, of a transfer opportunity. The following conditions have been agreed with the SEPnet partners: a. Students not in receipt of a SEPnet bursary who decide and are accepted to move within the SEPnet University partners will transfer their registration from the 1st University to the 2nd by credit transfer. They will graduate for the 2 nd University. They will cease paying fees to the 1st University and pay them to the 2nd University; this route is only available to students of the MSc in Physics (EuroMasters). b. Students who decide to move to a non degree awarding 3rd party such as RAL, CERN etc will remain registered at the first University. It will be the duty of the 1st University to arrange appropriate supervision and assessment within its own regulations for such a project. In moving between two SEPnet partners students will transfer credit, but not awarded marks, for the assessment of their final award. Similar arrangements for credit but not mark transfer will apply to students entering year 2 from other institutions. However, not withstanding the above students should expect that a 2nd university would wish to see, and would consider materially relevant, marks from a 1st university in deciding whether to allow a transfer. 4 PH754: The MSc in Physics (EuroMasters) Research Project a. General Information The research project is carried out in Year 2 of the programme and contributes 60% of the marks towards the MSc in Physics (EuroMasters) award. It is therefore a substantial element of the programme. Research experience opens the door to many careers. The maturity and experience gained during a Research Project provides an extra dimension to the qualification beyond that of a conventional one- year Masters Page 6

7 programme. As developed at Kent, the Research Project is a period of assessed research training and research that culminates in the writing of a dissertation, which gives students insights into their subject and their own career potential which cannot be gained by academic study alone. b. The aims and learning outcomes of the research project The year comprises of two parts. The first circa two months are designed to develop research skills and to enable students to plan their research project and conduct an appropriate literature survey. The learning objectives are for the student to build up self confidence in the practical, programming and analytical skills they will require for their project; their ability to communicate; to get over their awe of more experienced colleagues recognising that others are just as fallible as themselves; realise that they can take on responsibility for a task and that they can see it through. Secondary learning objectives are to realise how the research group is structured; the chain of command; the group decides upon its research objectives; its relationship to other groups; deadline requirements and quality expectations; how to get authorisation for requests for work by others, ethical and health and safety requirements, computer systems used and generally all that is associated with the day- to- day operation of a research group. Our experience from dealing with students in research environments over many years at different levels is that students are rapidly assimilated into groups and generally welcomed. Hence, this becomes an easy process. However, the supervisor is there to help and ensure that the induction goes smoothly. During the next 5-6 months the student is assigned responsibility for a substantial project which is aimed to be of a standard suitable from publication in a professional journal. It is expected that the student will approach the project in the manner of a research student: e.g. be prepared to work beyond the normal working day if required, input ideas, demonstrate initiative and seek relevant information. The learning objective is to acquire research skills. These include careful planning, time scheduling, communication with colleagues and workshops, keeping a detailed notebook, designing and testing equipment, taking and testing data and data analysis. Page 7

8 The dissertation required at the end of the project and the interim report after two months have the objectives of encouraging students to write clearly and express their understanding of their work in appropriate formal ways. The presentations during the final conference and after two months are designed to develop comparable oral and public speaking skills. c. Project selection Students are expected to be pro- active in securing a project towards the end of year 1 of their programme and further information and guidance will be given by the course Director towards the end of semester 1/ beginning of semester 2. Where an external project is under consideration, a link will be established with a Surrey supervisor. However, it is likely that the student will need to visit and be interviewed by the external organisation to finalise arrangements. It is anticipated that all students will be allocated projects before the end of the spring semester in Year 1. d. Supervision Students are assigned a primary research supervisor who will be an academic member of staff within the School of Physical Sciences. It is expected that students will meet their supervisor formally at least once a week, probably more especially during the early stages of induction to the group and project. In addition the student can expect to be part of a larger research group and hence to get help and advice from other researchers, including senior graduate students and post doctoral researchers; as well as from technical support staff and / or experimental officers working in the group. The exact arrangements will depend very much on the group and nature of the project. e. Formal training The Graduate School arranges a wide range of post graduate courses for research students covering both transferable and specific skills. There is no formal requirement to attend specific courses as individual needs will vary greatly. Rather, students will agree a formal study programme with their research supervisor equivalent to 2 hours per week. Courses may include training in formal computer programming, advanced experimental methods or advanced theoretical concepts and in communication skills. f. Assessment Your research progress will be formally recorded and assessed by your Page 8

9 supervisor and other academic colleagues. The preparatory period will be assessed in December. Students will submit an interim report up to 4000 words covering their project plan and work to date. It should set the scene of their work in a wider research context. Students will additionally make a short presentation to their supervisor and at least one other staff member where they should expect to be able to discuss and answer questions on their project plan and learning to date. Typically this presentation will be part of a research group seminar where other members of the research group will be present. Both the supervisor and independent academic will make formal assessments. At the end of the Year 2, students will submit a dissertation of circa 100 pages and make a second presentation to a conference of EuroMaster s students, including the next cohort, supervisors and others who may be interested in learning about the work. This is expected to be held in the Summer Term, between Weeks 25 and 27. Both this presentation and the dissertation will be assessed by at least three academic colleagues who will reach an overall consensus on the quality of the work. Additionally, the supervisor will make an assessment of the way in which the project has been conducted. However, the primary weighting of the marks is on the outputs: the dissertation and the presentation. Again the forms to be used are included in this document. g. Guidelines for Presentations For both presentations, students will be given at least 3 weeks advance notice to allow ample preparation time. A presentation of approximately 10 minutes for the first, 20 minutes for the second, is expected, using an overhead or slide projector or PowerPoint with additional time for questions and answers following your presentation. The subject of the presentation is the work undertaken by the student during their Research Project. h. Guidelines for Interim Report and Dissertation The interim report should be about 4000 words long and should describe in general terms the work of the Research Group in which the student is working. It should also incorporate the project plan and details of the student s work to date and the wider context of the work. The balance of the two aspects is entirely at the discretion of the student. The Project Dissertation is a report on a substantial amount of full- time Page 9

10 research work usually done during the last six months of the Research Project. Its form and content should reflect this. The submitted work should be accompanied by the filled in MSc Dissertation declaration a copy of which can be found at the end of this document. The general layout should be as for a Masters or PhD thesis: Title Page: Title: (Bold) Author: (Bold) A dissertation submitted to the Physics Department at the University of Surrey in partial fulfillment of the degree of Master in Physics/Medical Physics (EuroMasters). Department of Physics University of Surrey Month Year Abstract Acknowledgements List of Abbreviations Contents The above pages should be numbered in italics, i, ii, iii etc The following pages should be numbered in the normal way (1, 2, 3 etc). The chapter headings are up to the student. A typical layout for an experimental dissertation might be: for example: Chapter 1 Introduction and Background Chapter 2 Theory Chapter 3 Experimental Equipment Chapter 4 Experiments Done Chapter 5 Results and Analysis Chapter 6 Conclusions and Further Work Appendices (Programmes, setting up procedure, etc) Bibliography The total should be no more than 100 pages double- spaced (excluding Appendices). Each student will be in a unique situation and there will be no correct timetable for the completion of the dissertation. An electronic copy of the final dissertation (in either Microsoft Word or portable data format (.pdf)) should be sent by e- mail to the MSc in Physics (EuroMasters) Administrator on submission of the dissertation. One important piece of advice is to write bits up as you progress your work Page 10

11 during the project, i.e. in your detailed laboratory diary. These can then be put together with analysis results during your last month of research when you would normally be producing a report for the Research Supervisor. This should then form the basis of your dissertation. The dissertation must be completed typically by week 24 (exact date to be confirmed) of the Spring Semester in order to allow all necessary assessments to be completed. i. Projects carried out away from the University The aims and objectives for projects carried out away from the University remain the same as for those carried out on campus. However, there are some specific arrangements. First, the day- to- day supervisor will not normally be a member of the School s academic staff. Rather the Supervisor will be a member of staff at the host institution. The School will take special care to ensure that the research supervisor is suited to the role. In addition, an academic Kent supervisor will be appointed and will be in contact with the student on placement during the year by phone, , visits and/or video- conference. Second, special care will be required for the arrangements for taught elements of the research training period. Dependent on location and geography, it may be possible to attend courses by return to Kent or by video- conferencing. Alternatively a programme may be arranged externally. Third, the supervisor components of the assessment will be spilt equally between the local and academic Kent supervisors. There will be a Placement Agreement between the University, student and host institution. Details of the relevant forms for external placements will be made available during the project selection process through the course director and/or MS course administrator. GENERAL & CONTACT INFORMATION Address: School of Physical Sciences, Ingram Building, University of Kent, Canterbury, CT2 7NH General spspg@kent.ac.uk General Telephone No: School Website: sciences/ Page 11

12 Relevant Staff Contact Details: Professor Michael Smith Director of Graduate Studies Room 101, Ingram Building Kim Harty Degree Programmes Manager Room 205, Ingram Building Phone: Clair Gould School Administration Manager Room 211a, Ingram Building Helen West Postgraduate Assistant Room 205, Ingram Building Phone: GTA Coordinator Laboratory Experimental Officer Room 103b Ingram Building Phone: Ms Christine Vickerman, Student Support Advisor Office: Room 207, Ingram Building Telephone: (01227) Fax: Office Opening Hours: Term- Time: and All undergraduate and postgraduate students should come to the Student Counter during opening hours, at Room 205 if they have any queries (The Degree Programmes Office, Level 2, Ingram Building, Canterbury Campus). You can also contact the relevant staff member above by with your query, or book a meeting appointment with them if the query is confidential. Out of Term- Time: There are specific opening hours for the office when term time ends, which are set every academic year. Postgraduate Research students (PG- R students) are welcome to bring queries to the Postgraduate Administrators at the office during these times, contact them via or book a meeting appointment. EXECUTIVE BOARD OF GRADUATE STUDIES (EBGS): Within SPS, our Postgraduate Students also have the opportunity to be involved in and provide feedback to the EBGS Meetings. This Board of academic and administrative staff, and Student Representatives meet to discuss current progress of initiatives for current and new Postgraduate Taught and Research Students. The meetings occur every few months, and prior to these sessions, students are recommended to talk to the Board members or Student Representatives if they have Page 12

13 any feedback or issues to raise. These tems will be brought to the meeting and discussed, to improve the experience and studies of our students. It is also possible to be involved in the Board as a Student Representative. We have representatives from each research group and one for each Taught Postgraduate programme. If you would like to be involved in this Board, it is recommended that you get in touch with the Chair of the Board- Professor Michael Smith, the School s Director of Graduate Studies. The members of EBGS can also be found on the SPS website at sciences/local/postgrad/executive- board.html. Page 13