The "Research Topics Physics" course is designed to give students the opportunity to individually connect to active researchers/research groups at the ANU to participate in cutting edge physics activities through appropriately  designed projects with a commitment at a level equivalent to that required for a 6 unit course.  The students will learn approaches to 'real' physics problems, how to communicate results to their peers and develop an understanding how physics research works in an academic environment.  Students are advised to contact the Academic Contact for information on available projects. 

The Research Topics Physics course is offered as an Honours Pathway Course

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Engage in an independent and sustained critical investigation and evaluation of a chosen research topic.
2. Systematically identify relevant theoretical concepts and models, and relate these to appropriate methodologies and evidence.
3. Keep accurate and detailed records of work undertaken, including literature review, lab work or computational work.
4. Engage constructively with researchers/research teams working on active scientific projects.
5. Critically evaluate their own work and results, as well as results reported in the literature.
6. Communicate research concepts, contexts and results clearly and effectively both in writing and orally.

Research-Led Teaching

The Research School of Physics at the Australian National University hosts Australia’s largest Physics activities, which are consistently ranked amongst the best in the world. The “Research Topics Physics” course is designed to give students the opportunity to individually connect to active researchers/research groups at the ANU to participate in cutting edge physics activities through appropriately designed projects with a commitment at a level equivalent to that required for a 6 unit course. The students will learn approaches to ‘real’ physics problems, how to communicate results to their peers and develop an understanding how physics research works in an academic environment. Often the projects are designed to yield publishable outcomes.   

 

Recommended Resources

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:

• Supervisors will be available to give continuous feedback on the research project over the duration of the course.
• Feedback on the written report is available by request to the Course Convenor
• Students are encouraged to do practice talks and can request feedback in preparation of the delivery of the Oral presentation.

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

Students are advised to contact the Academic Contact for information on available projects. 

The Research Topics Physics course is offered as an Honours Pathway Course

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Written report	Reports should not exceed 6000 words (excluding abstract, references and appendices) and about 10 figures. It is strongly advised that the student seeks feedback from the supervisor on a draft of the report. The student will need to discuss this with the supervisor and make sure the supervisor has sufficient time to provide useful feedback, i.e. a minimum of one week before the official deadline is advisable. The reports will be assessed by independent markers, i.e. not by the supervisor. The assessors may seek advice from the supervisor.
2	Oral Presentation	At the end of semester a seminar will be organized for all course participants. The oral presentations will be assessed by the course convenor and the academics present at the seminar. Oral presentations are generally 10 min plus time for questions.
3	Laboratory Performance	Please see the separate marking criteria for a guideline on what is expected to obtain a particular mark.

Tutorial Registration

Selection of Projects :The project topic can be any area in Physics provided appropriate supervision exists. A list of possible projects can be found here:

 

http://physics.anu.edu.au/projects/index.php?Type=1

 

Students are advised to contact the project supervisor directly and discuss the project nature, objectives and expected outcomes. Students may also contact academics in areas of Physics at ANU that suit their interests but do not have particular projects listed. Generally supervisors are willing to tailor projects to student interests within reason.

After completion of the course, students often express interest in doing a follow-on project in the same area with the same supervisor. Follow on projects will be approved by the convenor only in exceptional cases. If a student wishes to do a second project course, the course will in most circumstances be undertaken in a new area with a new supervisor in order to provide breadth in the student’s undergraduate research experience.

 

If unsure, please contact the course convenor Patrick Kluth for more information and/or help to find appropriate projects/supervisors.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Formal Written report	50 %	26/05/2023	29/06/2023	2,5,6
Laboratory Performance/logbook	30 %	26/05/2023	29/06/2023	1,2,3,4,5,6
Oral Presentation	20 %	26/05/2023	29/06/2023	6

* 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

Working arrangements will have to be negotiated on an individual basis between the student and the supervisor, making sure other courses are not affected. Often a regular weekly afternoon or two are agreed upon. If students or supervisors have any concern with working arrangements during semester, please contact the course convenor. 

Remote participation: Some projects do not require laboratory work, such as purely theoretical and computational projects. These projects may be undertaken remotely subject to agreement from the project supervisor.

Assessment Task 1

Formal Written report

The report should be based on the structure of a standard scientific report written at a level that is comprehensible by the non-expert reader with physics background, i.e. your peers and physicists working in other fields. 

The deadline for the report is a hard deadline. It can only be extended for medical reasons with appropriate certificates. No extension will be granted for reasons related to the project implementation such as delays with experiments. Supervisors should take this into account when designing the projects. 

Assessment Task 2

Laboratory Performance/logbook

The laboratory performance and potentially laboratory logbook will by assessed by the supervisor and reflect the level of engagement and initiative, scientific contribution and (if applicable) bookkeeping of the student during the project. 

Assessment Task 3

Oral Presentation

At the end of semester a seminar will be organized for all course participants. The oral presentations are 10 min plus 2 min of questions. Supervisors will be invited to attend the seminar.

The oral presentations will be assessed by the course convenor and the academics present at the seminar.

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

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.

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.

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.

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