2014/15 - Metamaterials
Metamaterials PG Certificate / NQF Level: / 7
2. Description of the Programme
(as in the Business Approval Form)
This is an exit route for students leaving the CDT in Metamaterials after year 1 of that programme.
It is expected that only the occasional student will take this exit route - at the very most 1 per year.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
The aim of the Metamaterials CDT training programme is to ensure that our students acquire the technical and professional skills needed to succeed as independent researchers in either industry or academia. Students choose from a wide range of new and existing taught modules, and participate in bespoke skills-based workshops, together with creativity events and meetings.
The Metamaterials CDT taught programme thus comprises a number of compulsory and optional
training activities.
Two compulsory modules are formally credit-weighted, the Research Methodology Module (ECMM410; 15 credits) and the 1st year Metamaterials (6-month) CDT project (module code as yet unassigned; 45 credits).
Students who achieve satisfactory performance across both these modules and (for whatever reason) leave the programme at the end of year 1, will be eligible for the award of a PG Certificate.
4. Programme Structure
Students follow the standard first year PhD training route for the Metamaterials CDT.
As part of this training activity students take following credit-weighted M level modules:
ECMM410 Research Methodology Module (15 credits)
EMPM010 Metamaterials 6-month Mini-Project (45 credits)
5. Programme Modules
Code / Title / Credits / Compulsory / Non-
Condonable
ECMM410 / Research Methodology / 15 / Yes / No
EMPM010 Metamaterials 6-month mini-project 45 Yes Yes
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning & Assessment MethodOn successfully completing the programme you will be able to: / Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be accommodated & facilitated by the following learning & teaching and evidenced by the following assessment methods:
A Specialised Subject Skills & Knowledge
Research Methodology (ECMM410) provides an introduction to the methods used in scientific research, including finding research articles, critical review, peer review, presentation skills and literature synthesis.
/ Learning & Teaching Activities.
The research methodology module places a strong emphasis on student engagement.
As well as delivering summaries of published scientific papers, students will prepare and run two conferences in which each student will talk about a scientific topic
of their choice for 10 minutes. Students will also be required to design a poster using research papers from the literature.
Assessment Methods
Assessment in ECMM410 is by coursework only, comprising two specific pieces of work, namely (i) peer review of a published paper (30%) and (ii) review of literature (70%).
B Academic Discipline Core Skills & Knowledge
The 6-month Metamaterials project will help students develop the following discipline and core skills:
1. To plan and carry out a well-defined, time-limited research project in the area of metamaterials.
2. To analyse and present project results in a systematic, coherent and intelligible manner, placing such results properly in the context of previously published work in the area.
3.To write-up project aims, methods, results and conclusions in a format typically used by peer-reviewed journals.
/ Learning & Teaching Activities
The 6-month project will give you the opportunity to both demonstrate and develop your communication, problem solving, research and project management skills.
The aim of the project and associated assessment is for you to undertake and present an individual research project relevant to your PhD degree programme.
You will be guided by your PhD supervisors to carry out a well-defined and time-limited piece of research that should, ideally, generate sufficient results and be of suitable quality for publication in a peer-reviewed journal.
Assessment Methods
The 6-month project will be assessed by the submission of a written report (5000 words maximum and in the style of a journal paper) and by oral examination. Assessment is carried out by two independent (of the project) members of CDT staff.
C Personal / Transferable / Employment Skills & Knowledge
The programme will help develop a number of generic skills including (i) improved abilities for carrying out independent research, (ii) enhanced report and presentation skills and (iii) the ability to manage time effectively.
/ Learning & Teaching Activities
As described above
Assessment Methods
As described above
7. Programme Regulations
Credit
The programme consists of 60 credits.
The pass mark for award of credit in any individual module is 50%.
Condonement is the process that allows you to pass a ‘stage’ should you fail to achieve the required number of credits in any stage.
You are required to achieve 60 credits; you must have achieved an average mark of at least 50% across the 60 credits of assessment including the marks for any failed and condoned modules.
You will not be allowed reassessment in the condoned credit.
However, you must pass the modules marked with a 'Yes' in the 'non-condonable' column in the tables above. The pass mark for these modules is 50%.
Assessment and Awards
The award will normally be based on at least 60 credits of which 45 or more must be at NQF level 7
Classification
The marking of modules and the classification of awards broadly corresponds to the following percentage marks:
Postgraduate Degrees
Distinction 70%+
Merit 60-69%
Pass 50-59%
Full details of PGT programmes assessment regulations can be found in the Teaching Quality Assurance Manual (TQA) on the University of Exeter website. Generic marking criteria are also published here.
Please see the Teaching and Quality Assurance Manual for further guidance.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
Each CDT student has at least TWO PhD supervisors and a named, individual MENTOR. You should meet your supervisors and mentor in accordance with the guidance given in the Metamaterials CDT PhD student handbook.
Information Technology (IT) Services provide a wide range of services throughout the Exeter campuses including open access computer rooms, some of which are available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Help may be obtained through the Helpdesk, and most study bedrooms in halls and flats are linked to the University's campus network.
Additionally, the College has its own dedicated IT support staff, helpdesk and computer facilities which are linked to the wider network, but which also provide access to some specialised software packages. Email is an important channel of communication between staff and students in the College and an extensive range of web-based information (see https://intranet.exeter.ac.uk/emps/ ) is maintained for the use of students, including a comprehensive and annually revised student handbook.
The Harrison Learning Resource Centre is generally open during building open hours. The Centre is available for quiet study, with four separate rooms that can be booked for meetings and group work. Amongst its facilities, the Learning Resource Centre has a number of desks, four meeting rooms with large LCD screens, and free use of a photocopier. Also available are core set texts from your module reading lists, and undergraduate and MSc projects from the past two years.
Online Module study resources provide materials for modules that you are registered for, in addition to some useful subject and IT resources. Generic study support resources, library and research skills, past exam papers, and the 'Academic Honesty and Plagiarism' module are also available through the student portal (http://vle.exeter.ac.uk).
Student/Staff Liaison Committee enables students & staff to jointly participate in the management and review of the teaching and learning provision.
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Learning Resources The University Library maintains its principal collections in the main library buildings on the Streatham and St Luke's campuses, together with a number of specialist collections in certain Colleges. The total Library collection comprises over a million volumes and 3000 current periodical subscriptions. An alternative entry for the Cornwall Campus should be provided here.
IT Services provide a wide range of services throughout the Exeter campuses including open access computer rooms, some of which are available 24 hours, 7 days a week. Helpdesks are maintained on the Streatham and St Luke's campuses, while most study bedrooms in halls and flats are linked to the University's campus network.
Student Counselling Service - available free of charge, to provide confidential help and support.
Student Health Centre
Study Skills Service - can provide one-to-one guidance and information on all aspects of academic study and skills.
Family Centre (Streatham campus) provides high quality care and education for early-years children of students and staff.
Student Advice Centre (Guild of Students, first floor, Devonshire House) is your first port of call for free, impartial and confidential advice on a range of issues: housing, finance, and academic matters.
Students’ Guild: is the students' union of the University of Exeter.
Student complaints procedure.
Chaplaincy - here to support and encourage students from Christian and non-Christian faiths
The International Student Support Office supports non UK students across all University of Exeter campuses.
INTO University of Exeter partnership provides English Language and other preparatory courses for international students.
AccessAbility (Previously called the Disability Resource Centre [DRC]. The University is committed to supporting disabled students, staff and visitors on all its campuses.AccessAbility aims to provide advice, guidance, signposting to other services and, in some cases, face-to-face assistance.
Employability and Graduate Development has over 40 staff working to help you improve your chances of getting a great job after you graduate. They provide expert advice to enable you to plan your future, through guidance interviews, psychometric testing, employer presentations, skills events, practice job interviews and CV preparation.
10. Admission Criteria
All applications are considered individually on merit. The University is committed to an equal opportunities policy with respect to gender, age, race, sexual orientation and/or disability when dealing with applications. It is also committed to widening access to higher education to students from a diverse range of backgrounds and experience.
Candidates must satisfy the general admissions requirements and English Language requirements of the University of Exeter.
A first degree in Physics, Materials Science, Engineering, Mathematics or a related discipline with at least an Upper Second Class Honours or its equivalent will normally be required. The student will be interviewed before admission by relevant CDT staff.
Overseas students without English as a first language must show proficiency in English and have an appropriate qualification.
The Athena SWAN charter encourages Universities to work towards gender equality within STEM/M Disciplines (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics and Medicine) see http://www.exeter.ac.uk/staff/equality/athenaswan/
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
12. Indicators of Quality and Standards
Certain programmes are subject to accreditation and/or review by professional and statutory regulatory bodies (PSRBs).
13. Methods for Evaluating and Improving Quality and Standards
The University and its constituent Colleges draw on a range of data to review the quality of educational provision. The College documents the performance in each of its taught programmes, against a range of criteria on an annual basis through the Annual Programme Monitoring cycle:
Admissions, progression and completion data
• In Year Analysis data
• Previous monitoring report
• Monitoring of core (and optional) modules
• External examiner’s reports and University and College responses (reported to SSLC)
• Any Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body/accrediting body or other external reports
• Consultation with employers and former students
• Staff evaluation
•Student evaluation
•Programme aims
Subject areas are reviewed every five years through a periodic subject review scheme that includes external contributions.
14 / Awarding Institution / University of Exeter
15 / Lead College / Teaching Institution / College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences
16 / Partner College / Institution / Non
17 / Programme accredited/validated by
18 / Final Award(s) / Pg-Cert
19 / UCAS Code (UG programmes)
20 / NQF Level of Final Awards(s): / 7
21 / Credit (CATS and ECTS) / 60 credits (30 ECTS)
22 / QAA Subject Benchmarking Group (UG and PGT programmes) / Physics/Engineering
23 / Origin Date / July 21 2014 / Last Date of Revision: / July 21 2014
Date of Last Revision: July 21 2014