Thesis and presentations comprises honours research and two seminar talks. The thesis contributes 47% to the overall mark and the presentations contribute the remaining 3% of the grade.  Honours students are also required to take four 6-unit courses during the year, and students should check the Department of Mathematics third/fourth year course page for a list of available Honours and special topics courses.  MATH4005 is a variable unit course, and students should enrol in a total of 24 units per semester.  

Research Work:  Research thesis (60 to 100 pages long). It should normally have the form of an in-depth survey article on a particular topic in pure or applied mathematics.

 

Learning Outcomes

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

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Plan and engage in an independent and sustained critical investigation of a chosen research topic and its role in modern mathematics.
2. Demonstrate capacity for mathematical reasoning through analysing,  proving, and explaining concepts from the chosen research area.
3. Engage in systematic discovery and critical review of relevant sources.
4. Communicate research concepts clearly and effectively in writing and orally.

Research-Led Teaching

Honours in mathematics offers qualified students a first taste of research. While publishable results are not expected, every Honours student will independently investigate advanced material and engage in the process of open-ended inquiry.

Recommended Resources

The Science Honours Handbook and timelines can be downloaded from the College website.

There are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program as a whole. These could include videos 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/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

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

• Formative and summative feedback (oral and written) on the thesis;
• Formative feedback on first semester seminar talk;
• Summative feedback on second semester seminar talk.

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 enrolled full-time in Honours should usually plan to take 6 units of MATH4005 in their first semester and 18 units in their second semester, although 12/12 is also possible.

Student who are enrolled part-time or taking a reduced study load should consult the Honours convener for information about the due dates and unit distribution.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): unless explicitly allowed in the assessment instructions, assessment tasks for this course should be completed without the assistance of generative AI (for example, without using ChatGPT).

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 Honours 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 Associate Dean on the recommendation of the Honours convener. Note: where applicable, no application for an extension will be considered unless the Milestone Completion Form is submitted by the required due date.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Overview:The Maths Honours Thesis course is taken as a variable unit course over two consecutive semesters. For every 6 units of enrolment, the expectation is that the student will work approximately 10 hours/week over the course of the semester. Students enrolled full-time in Honours should usually plan to take 6 units of MATH4005 in their first semester and 18 units in their second semester, although 12/12 is also possible. A student enrolling in full-time Honours for the first time in Semester 1 is expected to submit their thesis in Semester 2 of the same year. A student enrolling in full-time Honours for the first time in Semester 2 is expected to submit their thesis in Semester 1 of the following year. Student who are enrolled part-time or taking a reduced study load should consult the Honours convener for information about the due dates and unit distribution.	This summary provides a general information for a student enrolling in this course for the first time. It is expected that full-time Honours students will enrol in this course twice over consecutive semesters.
2	The Honours year commences on 28 January, 2025, for students taking the Maths Honours Thesis course for the first time in Semester 1, 2025. Students are expected to begin discussions with their supervisor(s) and meet with the Honours Convener in advance of classes beginning on 17 February.	Milestones - please see 2024 and 2025 Honours Timelines and Handbooks for full details. Thesis Submission, for those who commenced in Semester 2, 2024: 22 May 2025. Thesis Submission, for those who commence in Semester 1, 2025: 23 October 2025.

Tutorial Registration

Not applicable

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Thesis	94 %	1,2,3,4
Presentation to non-technical audiences	0 %	4
Seminar I	0 %	3,4
Seminar II	6 %	3,4

* 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.

Assessment Task 1

Thesis

An Honours thesis is the culmination of two semesters of intensive work and should generally be between 60 and 80 pages in length. Submission of theses outside this length requirement must be approved by the honours convener. The thesis will be evaluated by assessors familiar with the subject material, and the thesis is due on the deadline specified by the College of Science and Medicine Timeline during a student's second semester of full-time enrolment in Honours.

Assessment Task 2

Presentation to non-technical audiences

Students are expected to demonstrate their ability to speak to non-technical audiences. The honours convener will advise students on options to satisfy this requirement. Meeting this requirement is a hurdle for the purposes of completing MATH4005, although it has 0 weight towards the final grade.

Assessment Task 3

Seminar I

Students are required to give two seminar presentations during their Honours year. Students will receive formative feedback on their first presentation, which is worth 0 weight towards the final grade and summative feedback on their second presentation, worth 6% towards the final grade for the MATH4005 component of their honours year. Students are expected to actively participate in scheduled honours conference sessions throughout the year, details of which will be advised by the honours convener.

Assessment Task 4

Seminar II

Students are required to give two seminar presentations during their Honours year. Students will receive formative feedback on their first presentation, which is worth 0 weight towards the final grade and summative feedback on their second presentation, worth 6% towards the final grade for the MATH4005 component of their honours year. Students are expected to actively participate in scheduled honours conference sessions throughout the year, details of which will be advised by the honours convener. Delivering the final seminar is a hurdle for MATH4005.

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. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date. Seminars may be delayed only with written permission from the Honours convener or appropriate College authority.

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 Honours 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 Associate Dean on the recommendation of the Honours convener. Note: where applicable, no application for an extension will be considered unless the Milestone Completion Form is submitted by the required due date.

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. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Students will be provided with written feedback on their theses after the final Honours 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 Accessibility 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 supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students