AMEP Lab Project

6 EC

Semester 1 & 2, period 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6

5354AMLP6Y

Owner Master Physics and Astronomy (joint degree)
Coordinator dr. Erik van Heumen
Part of Master Physics and Astronomy, track Advanced Matter and Energy Physics,

Course manual 2019/2020

Course content

The AMEP small project is usually the first opportunity for an M-Phys AMEP student to join one of the research groups behind the master track. Thus, it not only presents an opportunity - in among the lecture-based period of year 1 of the master - to get experience in hands-on, independent scientific research, but is also a excellent vehicle with which to get to know the research activities (and research culture) of one of the many research groups involved with the AMEP track.

The project is carried out under the responsibility of en experienced researcher with a tenured or tenure track position in the scientific/teaching staff of either of the Amsterdam universities. In total two examiners are required: in general one is the group leader of your hosting group and the other is a second reviewer of the written report/mini-thesis. 

AMEP has good connections with many researchers working in institutes outside the UvA/VU such as AMOLF, ECN or ARCNL. These groups can also host a student for an AMEP small project. If the Principal Investigator of the external group is not also an affiliate of UvA or the VU, then two UvA/VU examiners do need to be found. 

The norm for this module is 6EC, but with suitable motivation given in writing before the start of the project, and on the basis of a positive advice from the AMEP track coordinator, the exam committee can also consider approving a 9EC small project. 

Study materials

Other

  • Background literature made vailable by host group leader.

Objectives

  • formulation of a research question and a plan of attack; independent execution of the research,
  • interacting with supervisor(s) in the host research group; data analysis and their interpretation;
  • collaboration and cooperation with the rest of the host group in a acdemic or research institute environment;
  • planning of the time-frame with the supervisor(s) as an example of project-based planning;
  • oral and written reporting on the project.

Teaching methods

  • Working independently on e.g. a project or thesis
  • Research project in AMEP affiliated group

Independent scientific research supervised by senior researchers in AMEP-allied research groups in UvA, VU or outside the universities (AMOLF, ECN, ARC-NL).

Learning activities

Activity

Number of hours

Zelfstudie

168

Attendance

Requirements concerning attendance (OER-B).

  • In addition to, or instead of, classes in the form of lectures, the elements of the master’s examination programme often include a practical component as defined in article A-1.2 of part A. The course catalogue contains information on the types of classes in each part of the programme. Attendance during practical components is mandatory.

    • Assessment

    Item and weight Details

    Final grade

    0.6 (60%)

    Lab work

    0.4 (40%)

    Thesis

    Assignments

    Lab work

    • During the project you will participate in on going research activities. You are expected to be pro-active and able to carry out given assignments.

    Thesis

    • The thesis describes your experience in the group, the research carried out and summaries the results obtained. 

    Grading will be carried out according to assessment criteria listed on the Canvas page.

     

    Fraud and plagiarism

    The 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' applies to this course. This will be monitored carefully. Upon suspicion of fraud or plagiarism the Examinations Board of the programme will be informed. For the 'Regulations governing fraud and plagiarism for UvA students' see: www.student.uva.nl

    Course structure

    Weeknummer Onderwerpen Studiestof
    1
    2
    3
    4
    5
    6
    7
    8
    9
    10
    11
    12
    13
    14
    15
    16
    17
    18
    19
    20
    21
    22
    23
    24
    25
    26
    27
    28
    29
    30
    31
    32
    33
    34
    35
    36
    37
    38
    39
    40

    Additional information

    Students are responsible for finding themselves a host group. The track coordinator can advise and apart from the use of web-based sources, participation in the (usually evening-scheduled) 'AMEP Showcase' talks given by AMEP group leaders is strongly recommended. In this manner, the students can get a good picture of the enormous choice in excellent host research groups AMEP has to offer.   

    Although following AMEP (or other) lectures relevant to the research theme(s) being pursued in the host group is a good thing. Students should not worry if they don't yet know what kind of research project they wish to follow when they are making their lecture choices earlier in year 1. The bottom line is that - given that the choice of research project host group is made by the student her/himself - the intrinsic motivation means the student is happy to play 'catch up' should there be gaps in their theoretical background knowledge.  

    As this module is based in the research labs of the hosting groups, it is not timetabled. Discuss with your track coordinator what would be a good timepoint to try and plan your AMEP short project, given your own personal study plan taken up in your AcadPlan. 

    Be aware that AMEPs research groups generally only offer challenging projects operating at the cutting edge of their ongoing research programmes. This means that a particular group will only have a certain capacity for hosting students. Thus, if you leave it till just before you'd like to start working on a AMEP short project to contact potential host groups - be prepared for disapointment. It is first come, first served.

    Contact information

    Coordinator

    • dr. Erik van Heumen