This course is designed to connect postgraduate coursework students, on an individual basis, to active researchers at the ANU. The student will be expected to participate in a substantial project at a postgraduate level. The course is designed for students in the Master of Science (Advanced) programs offered by the Research School of Physics and the research topic will be commensurate with the specific augmentation being studied. Students are advised to contact the Academic Contact for information on available projects.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Plan, manage and execute a substantial project;
2. Engage in an independent and sustained critical investigation and evaluation of a chosen research topic;
3. Systematically identify relevant theoretical concepts and models, and relate these to appropriate methodologies and evidence;
4. Keep accurate and detailed records of work undertaken, including literature review, lab work or computational work;
5. Work constructively with active researchers on real research problems;
6. Critically evaluate their own work and results, as well as results reported in the literature;
7. Communicate both in writing and orally the significance of the project in the context of the literature, the problem which the project solves, the research concepts, results and the implications of what has been learned in conducting the project.

Research-Led Teaching

The entire course is devoted to teaching and learning research skills and conducting original research for potential publication. Students will learn core knowledge about conducting research and will implement that.

Recommended Resources

The CHM/COS College Masters Handbook can be downloaded from the College forms-policies-guidlines website .

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

Please note, research projects are unique to each students. The assessment start and end dates used in the Assessment Summary refer to the official start and end date of the session of enrolment. Individual start and end dates will be confirmed with each student prior to enrolment. Indicative assessment timeframes are provided in the assessment detail. Final dates are to be negotiated with the supervisor and/or course convener within the first 2 weeks of the first enrolment.

The date ranges used in the Assessment Summary are indicative and will vary if the project is completed within the same semester of initial enrolment or, alternatively, to be submitted after multiple enrolments across consecutive semesters.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Overview: The Research School of Physics Masters Research Project can be taken as a 24 unit project in one semester, or as a variable unit course (12+12) over two consecutive semesters, usually commencing after completion of 48 units coursework courses in one of the Master of Science programs offered by the Research School of Physics. A standard enrolment pattern for a full-time students is to enrol either PHYS8000 (12 units) in the third and fourth semester of enrolment or PHYS8000 (24 units) in the fourth semester of enrolment. For every 6 units of enrolment, the expectation is that the student would work a minimum of 10 hours/week over the course of the semester. It is expected that full-time masters students will enrol in this course three times over consecutive semesters along with other coursework courses that form part of the masters program. Course structure, assessment and deadlines are defined and communicated to students through the course Wattle pages. The supervisor should: Assist in selecting and defining the scope of a suitable topic or problem; and in devising a schedule of work; Ensure the student is appropriately trained to undertake the research, including any safety and ethics requirements; Guide the student in the selection and application of appropriate data collection and analysis procedures and advise on a solution if difficulties arise; Advise on matters of research report content, organisation and writing, including the timely provision of feedback; Meet frequently with the student to discuss and evaluate each stage of the project; Ensure appropriate ethics clearance is gained before the student commences the research work.	To be negotiated with the supervisor and/or course convener within the first 2 weeks of the first enrolment. This summary provides a general information for a student enrolling in this course for the first time. The date ranges provided are a general indication only for a student commencing the project in February and submitting their research project in December of the same year.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Logbook or project portfolio	30 %	4,5,6
Oral Presentation	20 %	1,2,3,4,5,6,7
Project Report	50 %	1,2,3,4,5,6,7

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

To be discussed and confirmed with the supervisor.

There is no assessable participation requirement of this course. However, students are expected to attend regular meetings with their supervisor.

Assessment Task 1

Logbook or project portfolio

Research and lab work throughout the whole project, including comprehensive record keeping, in close contact with the supervisor.

Assessment Task 2

Oral Presentation

All candidates must make a seminar-type presentation showing evidence of wide reading, depth of understanding, critical analysis and/or pertinent use of experimental and analysis techniques, as appropriate to the topic.

The final seminar at the completion of the project is assessed and contributes 20% fraction to the overall mark.

For one-year projects, there is also a mandatory mid-term presentation after the first semester. It does not contribute to the mark, however you need to give a talk to get a "pass" to proceed with the research project. You will receive friendly feedback, which will help you with the preparation of the final presentation later on.

The seminar assessment criteria will include:

• Content: inclusion of enough background to the project to understand its significance, clear presentation of results and key findings and clear understanding of the major issues, ability to answer questions after the seminar
• Delivery: including fluency and clarity, interaction with the audience; use of notes or props, quality of visual backups; for example, consider features of good slides (not too much information, a minimum of words, visually pleasing etc)
• Structure: including consistency of argument from research question to conclusions, choice of material to be presented (not too much information; rather key points), information content appropriate for a general audience, effective use of time.
• Presentation

Due date of the seminar will be communicated by convener vis the course Wattle pages.

Assessment Task 3

Project Report

A written report needs to be prepared at the end of a research project. The recommended length is from 45 up to 70 pages for a full-year project or 30+ pages for half-year project - including figures, tables, and references.

The project report will contain Abstract, introduction, materials and methods, results, discussion and references.

The research project assessment criteria are based on those outlined in the Masters Advanced programs Thesis Handbook, section 12:

https://students.science.anu.edu.au/program-admin/forms-policies-guidelines/masters-handbook

These will include:

• Logic, rigour, accuracy
• internal consistency: the extent to which ideas are presented consistently and with clear progression from research questions through to conclusions
• the use of information and/or evidence to sustain argument: how and to what degree the information sourced from authorities in a field or from data collected is integrated and used to sustain the argument; clarity and accuracy in presenting data
• demonstration of analytical and critical judgment: the extent of reflective assessment and appraisal of strengths and limitations of previous work and/or own work
• quality of conclusions: clear statement of the meaning and relevance of findings presented through linkage to other research, potential of findings to contribute to the field and identification of further work required to confirm or extend conclusions.

Generally, the assignment will be due close to the last teaching day of the semester/session and will vary if the project is completed within the same semester/session of initial enrolment or, alternatively, to be submitted after multiple enrolments across consecutive semesters.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Noting the implications of Policy: Student assessment (coursework) Item 7

Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

The written report will be submitted via Wattle.

Oral presentation will be delivered online or in-person as communicated by the convener via the course Wattle pages.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Resubmission of written report or repeat oral presentation are not permitted.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students