Registry

Module Specifications

Current Academic Year 2012 - 2013
Please note that this information is subject to change.

Module Title	Professional Development
Module Code	PS427
School	School of Physical Sciences
Online Module Resources
Module Co-ordinator	Semester 1: Colette McDonagh Semester 2: Colette McDonagh Autumn: Colette McDonagh
Module Teacher	Colette McDonagh
NFQ level	8	Credit Rating	5
Pre-requisite	None
Co-requisite	None
Compatibles	None
Incompatibles	None

Description

The purpose of this module is to provide students with a range of skills which they would not generally acquire by taking academic physics modules. The course is mainly skills-based, covering a range of skills including oral and written presentation, career-related skills such as CV preparation and interview technique, science communication, cricial analysis and review.

Learning Outcomes

1. Compose a curriculum vitae document which is customised to the job application and optimises the chances of being short-listed
2. Conduct themselves in a job interview situation in a professional and appropriate manner which optimises their employment possibilities
3. Effecively use information technology in order to source information both for university studies and future needs
4. Write scientific documents and deliver oral presentations which are directed at either the specialist or non-specialist reader
5. Critically analyse and summarise scientific publications and presentations
6. Devise a career plan appropriate for 5 years after graduation

Workload	Full-time hours per semester
*Type*	*Hours*	*Description*
Lecture	20	No Description
Assignment	70	This refers to all written assignments including CV, scientific documents, posters and presentations
Seminars	30	The student will be expected to attend a certain minimum of scientific seminars in the school and also some career-oriented workshops
Independent learning time	30	This represents time spent by the student outside the formal module activities
Total Workload: 150

All module information is indicative and subject to change. For further information,students are advised to refer to the University's Marks and Standards and Programme Specific Regulations at: http://www.dcu.ie/registry/examinations/index.shtml

Indicative Content and Learning Activities

Library skills training.
CV writing.

interview skills.
scientific writing.

science communication to the non-specialist.
seminars and workshops.

Assessment Breakdown
Continuous Assessment	100%	Examination Weight	0%

Course Work Breakdown
Type	Description	% of total	Assessment Date
Portfolio	This will contain attendance data for a range of activities, for example seminars and careers activities	30%	As required
Oral examination/interview	practice interview to promote interview skills	20%	As required
Report (s) (written / oral)	This represents a curriculum vitae which is customised for a technical job application	20%	As required
Report (s) (written / oral)	poster on a scientific project which is directed at the non-scientific community	15%	As required
Report (s) (written / oral)	this is a scientific paper designed to be read by a specialist	15%	As required

Reassessment Requirement
Resit arrangements are explained by the following categories; 1 = A resit is available for all components of the module 2 = No resit is available for 100% continuous assessment module 3 = No resit is available for the continuous assessment component
This module is category 2

Indicative Reading List

Other Resources

None

Array

Programme or List of Programmes

BSc in Applied Physics

PBM

BSc Physics with Biomedical Sciences

BSc in Physics with German

PHA

BSc in Physics with Astronomy

Timetable this semester: Timetable for PS427