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Earth Sciences Research Project (ERTH40001)
HonoursPoints: 25On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Semester 2
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
The School of Earth Sciences is home to a large and diverse range of research programs. Interests include the solid Earth, the fluid Earth (including our atmosphere and oceans) and processes that operate at the interface between these upon which all life on Planet Earth depends. Current research activities include: Climate Variability and Change, Atmosphere and Ocean Dynamics, Synoptic and Mesoscale Meteorology, Hydrogeology and Aqueous Biogeochemistry, Sedimentary Geology and Palaeontology, Palaeoclimate and Palaeoenvironmental Reconstruction, Thermochronology, Neotectonics and Landscape Evolution, Ore Deposit Geology, Geochemistry and Geochronology, Structural Geology, Tectonics and Geodynamics, Thermodynamics of Metamorphic Systems (THERMOCALC), Geochemistry and Geochronology of Magmatic Systems, Noble Gas Geochronology and Geochemistry, Computer Simulation of Geological and Geophysical Fluid Dynamics, Physics and Chemistry of the Earth's Deep Interior, and Energy: Resources and Futures.
This subject comprises a major piece of original supervised research on a topic as agreed by the student and their supervisor. A literature review is conducted in the first six months of candidature and includes a research proposal describing the aims, significance and approach of the project.
Students enrol in a total of 75 points of research project across the duration of the Honours program. This is achieved by enrolling in a combination of the following subjects in appropriate semesters to achieve a total 75 credit points.
- ERTH40001 Earth Sciences Research Project
- ERTH40003 Earth Sciences Research Project
- ERTH40006 Earth Sciences Research Project
This subject (ERTH40001 Earth Sciences Research Project) is the 25 point version for one semester.
Intended learning outcomes
The objectives of the research project are to provide students with the opportunity to:
- synthesise existing literature on a topic of interest and devise an appropriate research project that addresses key outstanding questions in the field;
- plan an appropriate program of data acquisition and manipulation (e.g. modelling) in order to constrain the questions being addressed;
- interpret the results of their work, perhaps suggesting further avenues for research beyond the scope of their project;
- prepare a written report of their results.
Generic skills
On completion of their research project students will have had the opportunity to gain new skills in:
- planning and conducting a program of research
- exercising critical judgement
- undertaking rigorous and independent thinking
- adopting a problem-solving approach to new and unfamiliar tasks
- developing high-level writing report and oral presentation skills
- interrogating, synthesizing and interpreting the published literature and
- field-work (where applicable)
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
A major in a field relevant to the research project being conducted.
Enrolment in the subject will only be approved if the student has met entry requirements for the course, including having a supervisor who has agreed to supervise this research project.
Permission of the Honours coordinator in the School of Earth Sciences.
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
Assessment is based on a literature review of no more than 4,000 words (12.5% due around the end of the first semester of study), a 15 minute long project-related oral presentation within two months of the conclusion of the project (hurdle); and a thesis of no more than 15,000 words (62.5%) due at the end of the course.
These assessment requirements are applicable to the entire 75 point Research Project component.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Kevin Walsh Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours This subject is an individual research project and weekly contact hours will vary depending on the nature of the project. Teaching period 26 February 2018 to 27 May 2018 Last self-enrol date 9 March 2018 Census date 31 March 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 4 May 2018 Assessment period ends 22 June 2018 Semester 1 contact information
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Kevin Walsh Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours This subject is an individual research project and weekly contact hours will vary depending on the nature of the project. Teaching period 23 July 2018 to 21 October 2018 Last self-enrol date 3 August 2018 Census date 31 August 2018 Last date to withdraw without fail 21 September 2018 Assessment period ends 16 November 2018 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
Students should discuss total time commitment with their supervisor but as a guide, a student would be expected to be engaged in their research for an average of thirty hours per week over two semesters.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Major Earth Sciences Informal specialisation Earth Sciences
Last updated: 3 November 2022