Students will learn about the process of designing a research project within the broad context of existing astronomy and astrophysics knowledge. A selection of research projects from within the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics (RSAA) will be on offer for students to base their research proposal on. Students will design an individual project within one of the many cutting edge research groups in the Research School. Project areas range from planetary science to cosmology, instrumentation to theory. More detail is available from https://rsaa.anu.edu.au/research/research-projects

Learning Outcomes

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

1. Critically analyse astrophysics research work for reproducibility, accuracy of technical presentation, originality and significance;
2. Engage in systematic discovery and critical review of appropriate and relevant information sources;
3. Appropriately apply statistical or other evaluation processes to archival or synthetic data;
4. Communicate research concepts and contexts clearly and effectively both in writing and orally.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying online, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. 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.

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:

• 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.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Introduction to courseWorkshop: how to review the literature(28 July)
2	Workshop: the science of scientific writing(4 August)
3	Workshop: writing pitfalls and good habits(11 August)
4	Workshop: how to make memorable plots(18 August)
5	Workshop: how to give a great presentation(25 August)
6	Workshop: how to write an academic application(1 September)
7	Teaching break (8 September)
8	Teaching break(15 September)
9	Workshop: software engineering 101(22 September)
10	Workshop: the ethical grey zone(29 September)
11	Research proposal talks (oral exam)(6 October)	Research proposal talk, worth 20% of grade
12	Workshop: how to referee a paper(13 October)

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	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Literature review	20 %	28/08/2026	1,2,4
Research Proposal	40 %	25/09/2026	1,2,3,4
Research Proposal Talk	20 %	06/10/2026	2,3,4
Referee report	20 %	30/10/2026	1,2,4

* 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 ‘Canvas’ 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

It is expected that all students will participate in person (or live online) for the few lectures offered in this course.

Examination(s)

None

Assessment Task 1

Literature review

A document summarising the relevant literature that forms the background of your research proposal. The word limit is 3000 words (+/- 10%). Figures, captions, tables and references do not count within the word limit. This assessment item will be marked by the lecturer and will be worth 20% of your overall course grade. The review needs to summarise the literature relevant to the research project, serving as a part of the introductory chapter of a Master's thesis. It will be graded on structure, coherence, completeness and correctness. Although AI tools can be used to improve text or search for references, both the text and references must be accurate. The review will also be assessed on having sufficient, correct, and up-to-date references.

Assessment Task 2

Research Proposal

The total length of the proposal should be 3000 words (+/- 10%) excluding abstract, figures, figure legends, tables and references. Building on the literature review, this should be an original research plan, describing the planned methodology as well as the significance of the project and the anticipated time frame for each part of the project. The proposal will be marked by RSAA academics and will be worth 40% of your overall course grade. **In case you have already submitted a research proposal, you will be assessed on a written report of your methodology.

Assessment Task 3

Research Proposal Talk

The research proposal will be presented to the class and invited RSAA academics in a 15-minute PowerPoint presentation, followed by 5 minutes of questions from the audience. This presentation will outline the research question, aims, methods, significance and time frame of the novel research project. This presentation will be assessed by field academics and will be worth 20% of your course grade.

Assessment Task 4

Referee report

A response to the authors of a relevant paper on the arXiv. The maximum word limit is 1500 words. The report needs to summarise the strengths and weaknesses, constructively identifying areas where the authors could improve. It will be assessed on appropriateness of tone, identification of relevant references, and critical assessment of the methodology. The use of AI for the report will be penalised. It will be worth 20% of the course grade.

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

Extensions should be requested from the course convenor. Late submissions, without an extension, are permitted for all three written assessment tasks (tasks 1,2, and 4) but are penalised at the rate of 10% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 5 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submissions are not permitted for the oral presentation assessment (task 3).

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

Assignments will be returned, with the grade, two weeks after the due date (by the latest).

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