• Code ENVS8000
  • Unit Value 12 to 24 units
  • Offered by Fenner School of Environment and Society
  • ANU College ANU Joint Colleges of Science
  • Classification Research
  • Course subject Environmental Science
  • Areas of interest Forestry, Geography, Climate, Environmental Science, Resource and Environmental Management
  • Academic career PGRD
  • Course convener
    • Dr Nici Sweaney
    • Dr Sara Beavis
  • Mode of delivery In Person
  • Offered in First Semester 2022
    Second Semester 2022
    See Future Offerings

This is an in-person course. Contact your course convener or supervisor to see if your project can be undertaken remotely.

The thesis presents a major piece of guided independent research on a topic agreed between the student and their supervisor. It typically involves a literature review and an appropriate form of critical analysis of sources of primary and /or secondary data; it may involve field and/or laboratory work. The thesis must show evidence of wide reading and understanding, of critical analysis and/or appropriate use of advanced research techniques. All students must attend relevant seminars, present at least one seminar, and comply with any other prescribed conditions.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

  1. plan, and engage in, an independent and sustained critical investigation and evaluation of a chosen research topic relevant to environment and society;
  2. systematically identify relevant theory and concepts, relate these to appropriate methodologies and evidence, apply appropriate techniques and draw appropriate conclusions;
  3. engage in systematic discovery and critical review of appropriate and relevant information sources;
  4. appropriately apply qualitative and/or quantitative evaluation processes to original data;
  5. understand and apply ethical standards of conduct in the collection and evaluation of data and other resources;
  6. communicate research concepts and contexts clearly and effectively both in writing and orally;

Other Information

Admission to the Masters thesis requires completion of the 48 units of the Coursework component at Distinction level or better. Admission and the choice of research topic is dependent on the availability and agreement of an appropriate supervisor.


The course can be taken as a variable unit. As such, the scope and word limit of the thesis will be customised as agreed between the student, convener and supervisor on commencement of enrolment.

Indicative Assessment

  1. Annotated bibliography (10) [LO 1,2,3,6]
  2. Research reflection (5) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
  3. Thesis (and Oral Defence) (75) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
  4. Final seminar (10) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]

The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.

Workload

The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester per 6 units of enrolment including:

  • Face-to-face component including regularly scheduled coursework research workshops
  • Independent study 10 - 40 hours per week depending on the units of enrolment per semester.

Students are expected to maintain regular contact with their supervisor and attend all supervisory meetings.

Inherent Requirements

To be determined

Requisite and Incompatibility

You will need to contact the Fenner School of Environment and Society to request a permission code to enrol in this course.

Prescribed Texts

N/A

Fees

Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.  

Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees

Student Contribution Band:
2
Unit value:
12 to 24 units

If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.

Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.

Units EFTSL
12.00 0.25000
13.00 0.27083
14.00 0.29167
15.00 0.31250
16.00 0.33333
17.00 0.35417
18.00 0.37500
19.00 0.39583
20.00 0.41667
21.00 0.43750
22.00 0.45833
23.00 0.47917
24.00 0.50000
Domestic fee paying students
Year Fee
2022 $740 per unit
International fee paying students
Year Fee
2022 $1000 per unit
Note: Please note that fee information is for current year only.

Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links

ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.

The list of offerings for future years is indicative only.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.

First Semester

Class number Class start date Last day to enrol Census date Class end date Mode Of Delivery Class Summary
3221 21 Feb 2022 28 Feb 2022 31 Mar 2022 27 May 2022 In Person View
4024 21 Feb 2022 28 Feb 2022 31 Mar 2022 27 May 2022 In Person N/A

Second Semester

Class number Class start date Last day to enrol Census date Class end date Mode Of Delivery Class Summary
6209 25 Jul 2022 01 Aug 2022 31 Aug 2022 28 Oct 2022 In Person View
7006 25 Jul 2022 01 Aug 2022 31 Aug 2022 28 Oct 2022 In Person View

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