PHY3308 | 2023 | University of Exeter

MODULE TITLE	Professional Placement	CREDIT VALUE	120
MODULE CODE	PHY3308	MODULE CONVENER	Prof Tim Naylor (Coordinator), Dr Steven Hepplestone (Coordinator)

DURATION: TERM	1	2	3
DURATION: WEEKS

Number of Students Taking Module (anticipated)	4

DESCRIPTION - summary of the module content

This module gives the student direct experience of undertaking a research project in a in a non-university professional environment, normally an industrial or government laboratory. The project topic will usually be physics-based but in some cases may involve the application of physics-related skills (e.g., mathematical modelling) to another field.

AIMS - intentions of the module

This module aims to give students first-hand experience of the commercial/industrial scientific working environment and its various pressures, including financial and managerial, and practices of the commercial environment. This will enhance the employability of the students, and motivate them to seek employment in roles where they are able apply physics and physics-related skills to economically important practical problems.

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILOs) (see assessment section below for how ILOs will be assessed)

A student who has passed this module should be able to:

Module Specific Skills and Knowledge:

1. apply physics-related techniques in a non-university professional environment;

2. investigate in a systematic way using appropriate experimental and/or theoretical techniques;

3. apply physics-related techniques and knowledge to the solution of problems:

gather, evaluate and analyse information in order to devise and apply a creative and practical method to solve the problem;
make effective use of the time and resources available;
record the process by which a problem is solved in a manner that facilitates independent verification;
detect errors by making effective use of numerical or statistical information;

Discipline Specific Skills and Knowledge:

4. manage information:

locate, collect, collate, categorise and summarise ideas and information in a systematic way;
recognise the value of intellectual property;
understand what is meant by 'confidentiality';

5. keep a professional chronological notebook;

6. give a presentation to appropriate scientific standards;

7. write a report containing original material and analysis;

Personal and Key Transferable / Employment Skills and Knowledge:

8. communicate:

give a presentation in a clear and ordered manner, making appropriate use of visual aids;
write text and reports concisely and convey meaning in a manner appropriate to readers;

9. work with others:

establish working relationships;
listen to other team members;

10. manage a project:

prioritise, plan action and schedule sequence of work to achieve objectives;
keep appropriate records;

11. engage with a commercial environment:

work under pressure to meet deadlines;
understand some of the economic considerations in business;
recognise the influence of legal and ethical restraints on a business.

SYLLABUS PLAN - summary of the structure and academic content of the module

Note: All students should refer to the detailed description of the Professional Placement - Assignments and Marking Criteria in the Physics Handbook.

The student will be working as an employee in a professional environment. They will receive training appropriate to the environment, and will supplement this with their own observations and participation.

They will undertake a research project with supervision provided by the placement establishment. The research topic and provisional work-plan will be agreed in advance between the Department of Physics and the placement establishment. Progress will be monitored by two visits from the student's tutor during the year, plus regular contact by e-mail and/or telephone.

LEARNING AND TEACHING

LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS (given in hours of study time)

Scheduled Learning & Teaching Activities		Guided Independent Study		Placement / Study Abroad

DETAILS OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES AND TEACHING METHODS

Category	Hours of study time	Description
Placement/study abroad	1200 hours	1-year placement

ASSESSMENT

FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT - for feedback and development purposes; does not count towards module grade

SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT (% of credit)

Coursework	50	Written Exams	0	Practical Exams	50

DETAILS OF SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT

Form of Assessment	% of Credit	Size of Assessment (e.g. duration/length)	ILOs Assessed	Feedback Method
Preliminary report	10%	2,500 words (Term 1, Week 9 (Monday))	2-4, 7-10	Written
Assessment of project work: notebook assessment plus viva voce (with written input from industrial supervisor)	20%	30-minute viva (Term 2, Weeks 1/2)	1-5, 9-11	Written and verbal
Oral presentation at Exeter	10%	30 minutes (Term 3, Weeks 3/4/5)	6, 8	Written and verbal
Assessment of project work: notebook assessment plus viva voce (with written input from industrial supervisor)	20%	30-minute viva (Term 3, Weeks 3/4/5)	1-5, 9-11	Written and verbal
Final report plus viva voce	40%	10,000 words, 30-minute viva (Deadline 1st of September)	1-4, 7-11	Written

DETAILS OF RE-ASSESSMENT (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment is not available except when required by referral or deferral.

RE-ASSESSMENT NOTES

Re-assessment is not available for this module.

RESOURCES

INDICATIVE LEARNING RESOURCES - The following list is offered as an indication of the type & level of
information that you are expected to consult. Further guidance will be provided by the Module Convener

ELE:

http://newton.ex.ac.uk/redirects/ELE/phy3308

Reading list for this module:

There are currently no reading list entries found for this module.

CREDIT VALUE	120	ECTS VALUE	60

PRE-REQUISITE MODULES	None
CO-REQUISITE MODULES	None

NQF LEVEL (FHEQ)	6	AVAILABLE AS DISTANCE LEARNING	No
ORIGIN DATE	Thursday 9th December 2021	LAST REVISION DATE	Thursday 26th January 2023

KEY WORDS SEARCH	Physics; Group work; Professional environment; Placement; Project; Work experience

Professional Placement - 2023 entry