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Research Project (PHYC90024)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Email: msc@physics.unimelb.edu.au
Semester 2
Email: msc@physics.unimelb.edu.au
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
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Fees | Look up fees |
In this subject, students undertake a substantial program of original research in one of the many research fields in which the School of Physics is active and internationally recognised: astrophysics, condensed matter physics, optics, and particle physics. The research may be experimental and/or theoretical in nature. It will be conducted under the supervision of a member of the School’s academic staff. The results will be reported in the form of a substantial thesis. In most instances, it is expected that the results will also be submitted for publication in a learned scientific journal. As part of their introduction to the research topic, students will be required to complete a seminar series and/or reading course providing advanced theoretical and/or practical training in the field.
Intended learning outcomes
The objectives of this subject are:
- to introduce students to the excitement and challenge of fundamental and applied research in physics;
- to challenge students to deepen their knowledge of fundamental physical principles by pushing outward the boundaries of knowledge;
- to complete a substantial piece of original research whose quality is sufficiently high that it is publishable in a leading international physics journal;
- to prepare students for further advanced research in physics, for example through doctoral studies.
Generic skills
At the completion of this subject, students should have gained the ability to:
- analyse how to solve a problem by applying fundamental laws to complicated situations;
- apply abstract ideas to real-world situations;
- participate as an effective member of a research team;
- develop excellent written and oral communication skills through writing a major thesis and presenting results in departmental seminars;
- manage time effectively;
- start to develop the capacity for fully independent research.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
None
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.
This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this matter with the Subject Coordinator and Student Equity and Disability Support.
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
The assessment requirements below are applicable to the entire 100 point Research Project.
- A preliminary literature survey and research plan at the end of year one or after the student has enrolled in 25 points of Research Project, (10 pages of mixed text, diagrams, and mathematical formulas; pass/fail);
- An oral presentation at the end of year one or after the student has enrolled in 25 points of Research Project (up to 20 minutes; pass/fail);
- Major thesis, comprising up to 50 pages of mixed text, diagrams, and mathematical formulas, due at the end of the second year of the MSc (90% of the final grade).
- An oral presentation lasting up to 30 minutes, given at the end of the second year of the MSc (10% of final grade).
- Successful completion of a seminar series and/or reading course (depending on the research stream) providing advanced theoretical and/or practical training, marked on a pass/fail basis.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Jeffrey McCallum Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Distribution of time between specific tasks will be decided in negotiation with the supervisor, but an overall weekly commitment of 10 hours per week, comprising seminars and research, is expected. 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
Email: msc@physics.unimelb.edu.au
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Jeffrey McCallum Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours Distribution of time between specific tasks will be decided in negotiation with the supervisor, but an overall weekly commitment of 10 hours per week, comprising seminars and research, is expected. 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
Email: msc@physics.unimelb.edu.au
Time commitment details
This subject is an individual research project and weekly contact hours will vary depending on the nature of the project. Students should discuss this with their supervisor but as a guide, a student enrolled in a 50 point research project subject would be expected to be engaged in their research for an average of forty hours per week. Students enrolled in a 37.5, 25 or 12.5 point research subject would be expected to be engaged in their research on a pro-rata basis.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
None
Recommended texts and other resources
None
- Links to additional information
- Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students
This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.
Last updated: 3 November 2022