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Fusion and Plasma Physics Project - PHY00054M

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  • Department: Physics
  • Module co-ordinator: Prof. Nigel Woolsey
  • Credit value: 80 credits
  • Credit level: M
  • Academic year of delivery: 2024-25
    • See module specification for other years: 2023-24
  • Notes: This is an independent study module

Module summary

The MSc project is an individual open-ended scientific investigation where you can apply your technical skills and physics knowledge to conduct an original scientific investigation in the area of fusion or plasma physics. The project can be conducted at York or, via agreement, at another organisation. You will have an academic project supervisor who will give guidance and assistance as needed at regular supervisory meetings, as well as receiving training on research skills such as scientific writing, and giving poster presentations. At the end of this module you will write your masters project dissertation allowing you to communicate your results to a scientific audience with an extended piece of academic writing.

Related modules

 Pre-requisites:  Plasma Physics and Fusion, Computational plasma physics, Plasma Measurement and Data Analysis

 Co-requisites: Frontiers of fusion and technology, Advanced Plasma Physics for Fusion and Applications

Module will run

Occurrence Teaching period
A Semester 2 2024-25

Module aims

The MSc project is an individual open-ended scientific investigation where you can apply your technical skills and physics knowledge to conduct an original scientific investigation in the area of fusion or plasma physics. You will have a specific academic supervisor who will give guidance and assistance as needed at regular supervisory meetings, as well as receiving training on research skills such as scientific writing, and giving poster presentations. At the end of this module you will write your masters project dissertation allowing you to communicate your results to a scientific audience with an extended piece of academic writing.

Module learning outcomes

  • Demonstrate ability to investigate an area of fusion or plasma research in a systematic way using appropriate critical assessment of literature sources, experimental, observational, computational, theoretical, and/or mathematical techniques

  • Demonstrate ability to balance working independently to plan and organise effectively with working as part of a wider team to achieve the project goals

  • Systematically and contemporaneously record the project work carried out in a laboratory notebook

  • Communicate the project outcomes in a final written report and orally

Module content

For further details see the MSc Project Student Handbook and assessment pro forma, which will be available on the VLE.

Assessment

Task Length % of module mark
Essay/coursework
Lab Book and Progress		 N/A 38
Essay/coursework
Lay summary and literature review		 N/A 2
Essay/coursework
Project Dissertation & Lay Summary		 N/A 40
Essay/coursework
Viva Examination		 N/A 20

Special assessment rules

Other

Reassessment

None

Module feedback

'Feedback’ at a university level can be understood as any part of the learning process which is designed to guide your progress through your degree programme. We aim to help you reflect on your own learning and help you feel more clear about your progress through clarifying what is expected of you in both formative and summative assessments.

A comprehensive guide to feedback and to forms of feedback is available in the Guide to Assessment Standards, Marking and Feedback. This can be found at:

https://www.york.ac.uk/students/studying/assessment-and-examination/guide-to-assessment/

The School of Physics, Engineering & Technology aims to provide some form of feedback on all formative and summative assessments that are carried out during the degree programme. In general, feedback on any written work/assignments undertaken will be sufficient so as to indicate the nature of the changes needed in order to improve the work. Students are provided with their examination results within 25 working days of the end of any given examination period. The School will also endeavour to return all coursework feedback within 25 working days of the submission deadline. The School would normally expect to adhere to the times given, however, it is possible that exceptional circumstances may delay feedback. The School will endeavour to keep such delays to a minimum. Please note that any marks released are subject to ratification by the Board of Examiners and Senate. Meetings at the start/end of each semester provide you with an opportunity to discuss and reflect with your supervisor on your overall performance to date.

Our policy on how you receive feedback for formative and summative purposes is contained in our Physics at York Taught Student Handbook a supplement to the MSc Fusion Energy Handbook.

Indicative reading

Not applicable


The information on this page is indicative of the module that is currently on offer. The University is constantly exploring ways to enhance and improve its degree programmes and therefore reserves the right to make variations to the content and method of delivery of modules, and to discontinue modules, if such action is reasonably considered to be necessary by the University. Where appropriate, the University will notify and consult with affected students in advance about any changes that are required in line with the University's policy on the Approval of Modifications to Existing Taught Programmes of Study.