Physics Project PHYS4023P
- Academic Session: 2026-27
- School: School of Physics and Astronomy
- Credits: 20
- Level: Level 4 (SCQF level 10)
- Typically Offered: Semester 1
- Available to Visiting Students: Yes
- Collaborative Online International Learning: No
- Curriculum For Life: No
Short Description
To provide students with an opportunity to develop knowledge and understanding of the key principles and applications of the Physics Project, and their relevance to current developments in physics.
Timetable
Tuesdays and Thursdays 11am-5pm
Requirements of Entry
This course is normally only open to students who meet the requirements for entry, or progression, for a degree programme which includes Physics Project as an elective or compulsory course.
A 20-credit Physics Project is a compulsory course for the following degree programmes:
BSc (Honours) Combined Physics, BSc (Honours) Chemical Physics, BSc (Honours) Physics with Astrophysics
A 20-credit Physics Project is an elective course for the following degree programmes:
BSc (Designated) Physics, BSc (Designated) Combined Physics, BSc (Designated) Physics with Astrophysics
Physics Project is a prohibited course for the following degree programmes:
BSc (Honours) Physics, BSc Theoretical Physics, MSci Physics, MSci Theoretical Physics, MSci Combined Physics, MSci Physics with Astrophysics, MSci Chemical Physics, MSci Chemical Physics with Work Placement
Also students must normally have attended previously the following pre-requisite courses:
Honours Physics Laboratory
Excluded Courses
30-credit Honours Physics Project, Physics Theory Project.
Co-requisites
Solid State Physics; Nuclear and Particle Physics; Atomic Systems
Assessment
Project 40%
Final report 40%
Oral presentation 20%
Main Assessment In: December
Course Aims
To provide students with training in the principles and practice of physical measurement techniques and scientific data analysis, and give the opportunity for the student to apply these in performing an extended project. To develop the student's transferable skills, concentrating on the writing of reports on individual project work and in verbal communication of such results. To develop the student's ability to work effectively and to reinforce their individual responsibility for their own learning.
Intended Learning Outcomes of Course
By the end of the course, students will be able to:
-Prepare a preliminary list of goals to be achieved during the project, in collaboration with a lab partner and project supervisor;
-Write an interim progress report and plan of action;
-Perform the practical/computational part of the project, in collaboration with a lab partner but with some independent development of the work by each student;
-Keep a logbook detailing the work done;
-Revise the goals and strategies for completion of the project, in the light of progress made;
-Write a report containing a full description of the aims, methods, outcomes and conclusions of the project;
-Prepare and present a poster summarizing the results of the project.