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Outline:

This module provides an introduction to the approaches and techniques of physics and astrophysics through an open-ended scientific investigation. Students will be supervised by a member of academic staff within one of the Department’s research groups. The research essay (literature review) will develop independent research, by requiring students to plan and undertake an extended literature review, conducted over terms 1 and 2. Topics can be chosen from a range of research areas in theoretical and experimental Physics and Astrophysics.

Aims:

The aim of the module is to develop the student’s independent research skills, by requiring them to undertake and perform an extended literature review. This literature review will also prepare the students to acquire the necessary scientific background to perform the research project in the MSc programmes Physics, Astrophysics, Planetary Science, Scientific and Data Intensive Computing. Towards the end of March of each academic year, the student is required to submit a detailed written literature review, written in the same style as a scientific paper.

Intended Learning Outcomes:

At the end of the module the student should have:

• increased their skill and confidence to plan and work independently;
• improved their skills in conducting a complex, open-ended scientific investigation, in an active research environment;
• acquired in-depth experience of a particular specialised research area, through literature review, as a member of a research team;
• obtained increased ability to seek out information as required from a variety of sources;
• become accustomed to developing ideas in discussion and by reference to the literature;
• developed a sound knowledge of the underlying principles which form a thorough basis for careers in physics and related fields;
• developed increased ability to seek out information as required from a variety of sources.