Students will undertake an individual project within one of the many cutting edge research groups in Astronomy and Astrophysics. Project areas include black hole phenomena, galactic archaeology, astronomical instrumentation, stellar and planetary astronomy, and the structure and evolution of the cosmos.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Plan and engage in an independent and sustained investigation of a chosen research topic supervised by an academic staff member.
2. Systematically identify relevant theory and observations in the chosen field, relate these to appropriate analysis methods and techniques, and draw critical conclusions.
3. Carry out observations, theoretical simulations, develop instrumentation, or utilize existing data to address a particular research question, at a standard consistent with current published research in the field.
4. Accurately document and analyse telescope observations or theoretical simulations and research findings
5. Present research findings, both orally and in written form.
   

Research-Led Teaching

This course provides students with an opportunity to undertake an astronomy and astrophysics research project, on a topic of their choice, by collecting data and analysing, presenting and writing up their research results. Students' research projects are supervised by one, or more, specific supervisors and the course convenor facilitates and monitors the students progress.

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
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

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

The date range for these tasks are an approximation only and may be adjusted closer to the due dates.

Extensions to thesis (and assignment) deadlines will only be granted for health reasons or for unforeseen circumstances (i.e. that arose due to factors beyond the student’s control). Extensions will not be granted for work reasons or due to circumstances that should have been anticipated by you, the student. Extensions to thesis deadlines require careful and complete documentation of the causes and demonstration that the circumstances were beyond the control of the student. Such applications should be discussed with the supervisor, and, following this, with the Program Convener. The Convener must approve any extension of up to two weeks. Extension of time to submit beyond two weeks after the completion date will be subject to the approval of the Deputy Dean on the recommendation of the Masters convener. Note: No application for an extension will be considered unless the Milestone Completion Form is submitted by the required due date. The Milestone Completion Form has to be submitted by the Monday prior to the thesis submission date.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Overview:The Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Project is taken as a variable unit course over three consecutive semesters, usually commencing after completion of 24 units coursework courses in the Master of Astronomy and Astrophysics (Advanced). A standard enrolment pattern for a full-time students is to enrol in ASTR8010 (12 units) in the second semester of enrolment, ASTR8010 (18 units) in the third Semester of enrolment and ASTR8010 (18 units) in the final 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.	Assessment is 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 as a full-time student following 12+18+18 pattern of enrolment. It is expected that a student will complete a research project of 48 units. The date ranges provided are a general indication only and must be discussed with the convener. Due dates for the research proposal and the mid-term report will vary when a student's research units are distributed differently from the 12+18+18 pattern over the three research semesters. Where a student is enrolling in this course over more than 3 consecutive semesters, the final thesis due dates can be confirmed with the course convenor.

Tutorial Registration

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.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value
Submission of research proposal	0 %
Mid-term research progress report	0 %
Oral presentation of thesis work	20 %
Final Research Thesis	80 %

* 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
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• 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

Students will have regular meetings with their project supervisors and work independently on a critical investigation of a chosen research topic, approximately 20 hrs of intellectual activities per week in the research project year. Meetings may be in person or online. Submission of research plan (within the first month of the project year), presentation of the mid-term research progress report and submission of the research thesis, all in accordance with the COS Mastesr Advanced milestone completion form.

Assessment Task 1

Submission of research proposal

Students are expected to write a research proposal in close consultation with their supervisor(s), suggested length: 8-15 pages (A4), demonstrating that they understand the problem they are trying to solve and relevant work that has addressed it in the past. This proposal should include:

• provisional title
• abstract (max. half page)
• introduction (motivating the research), 
• statement of the problem and the specific issues to be studied
• previous work (critical review of the literature relevant to the work pursued here)
• objectives of the Thesis and statement of the novelty of the proposed work
• proposed research program (including approach, new model(s)/ technique(s)/idea(s), hypothesis and anticipated results, risks and contingency plans) 
• proposed timeline
• references

Assessment Task 2

Mid-term research progress report

Students are expected to submit a research progress report, suggested length: 20-40 pages (A4), building on their research proposals but extending and modifying them as required. The report should demonstrate the work that has been accomplished and update the outlook towards conclusion of the project with relevant explanations on whether the original goals and methods are still applicable, or why they had to be changed and into what, and finally present an updated timeline. For this report, it is more important to be on time to allow for mid-term reflection than to be polished.

Assessment Task 3

Oral presentation of thesis work

Students must present a seminar on their thesis. Presentations should briefly describe the theoretical foundations of the research problem and the method used, present the results and discuss them with reference to the available literature before making final conclusions. Students should also describe any limitations within the study and recommendations for future research. Candidates will receive feedback on:

• Presentation content: well researched, coherent narrative and argument demonstrating critical appraisal and integration of relevant literature, enough background to understand the significance, clear presentation of results and key findings and clear understanding of the major issues, ability to answer questions
• Presentation delivery: fluency and clarity, interaction with the audience; use of notes or props, quality of visual backups; quality of slides (not too much information, a minimum of words, visually pleasing etc)

Assessment Task 4

Final Research Thesis

Students are expected to submit a final research thesis, suggested length: 50 to 70 pages (A4). The thesis will evolve from the mid-term report, but be a polished final statement of the project from introduction to summary, appendix and references. The thesis may also include an additional evaluation section in which students may reflect on what they have learnt about doing research. Assessment criteria for research theses 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.

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

No submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date will be permitted. If an assessment task is not submitted by the due date, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Late submission of the thesis without an extension is 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. Seminars may be delayed only with written permission from the Honours convener or appropriate College authority.

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

Students will be provided with written feedback on their theses after the final marks are released.

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 all ANU students