Handbook home
MSD Minor Thesis Part 1 (ABPL90396)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Semester 2
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 Semester 2 |
---|---|
Fees | Look up fees |
This individual study based subject is a capstone option for the completion of the Master of Urban Planning. Students will be supervised by an academic throughout the research process. Discussions with a supervisor allow the student to obtain advice and guidance for completion of an independent study.
The thesis requires two consecutive semesters of enrolment:
- The focus of the first semester is developing a research question, undertaking a literature review related to that question and proposing methods to answer the research question (which may require ethics clearance).
- The second semester concentrates on the middle to final stages of research from the implementation of a research plan, to effectively interpreting and presenting results.
NOTE:
The MSD Minor Thesis requires two consecutive semesters of enrolment. Students can commence the Minor Thesis ( ABPL90396 MSD Minor Thesis Part 1) in either Semester 1 or 2 and must continue (ABPL90397 MSD Minor Thesis part 2) in the following semester. Upon successful completion of the MSD Minor Thesis, students will receive 25 points credit.
Further information on thesis supervisor availability and selection process is at https://edsc.unimelb.edu.au/graduate/subject-options/msd-studios/mup-studio
Intended learning outcomes
- Identify an appropriate research topic;
- Critically analyse literature;
- Develop appropriate research questions / hypotheses;
- Plan and implement key aspects of a successful research program;
- Select and implement appropriate research methods;
- Appropriately and efficiently analyse research undertaken;
- Draw meaningful and robust conclusions from the research process implemented; and
- Implement high level oral, written and visual presentation skills.
Generic skills
- To have a strong sense of intellectual integrity and the ethics of scholarship;
- Reach a high level of achievement in writing, generic research activities, problem solving and communication;
- Be critical and creative thinkers, with an aptitude for continued self directed learning.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission into the Master of Urban Planning (MC-URPL)
AND
Completion of 87.5 points of study within MC-URPL Master of Urban Planning (core or specialisation elective subjects) PLUS ABPL90135 Analytical Methods
OR
Completion of 100 points of study within MC-URPL Master of Urban Planning (core or specialisation elective subjects) PLUS concurrent enrolment in ABPL90135 Analytical Methods.
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
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Submission of research proposal (5,000 words). Due last week of first semester of enrolment (pass/fail).
| Due last week of first semester of enrolment. | N/A |
Oral presentation based upon research proposals. Due last week of each semester of enrolment(pass /fail). Hurdle requirement: Hurdle requirement (pass /fail) | Due last week of each semester of enrolment | N/A |
Minor Thesis - 10,000 words including the 5000 word research proposal submitted at the end of first semester. Due last week of second semester of enrolment
| Due last week of second semester of enrolment | 100% |
Attendance at lectures / workshops Hurdle requirement: Attendance at lectures / workshops is obligatory. | N/A |
Additional details
The 5,000 word research proposal may be further refined for incorporation into the Minor Thesis in the second semester of enrolment. A pass must be attained in both the research proposal and the oral presentation in order to pass the subject overall. A pass grade in both the research proposal and the oral presentation is required in order to progress to the second semester of the subject. Students who do not attain passes in these assessment components will be required to repeat the first semester.
Hurdle requirement: Attendance at lectures and workshops is obligatory.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Nicholas Phelps Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours up to 12 hours of lectures and workshops (8*1.5 hour ) and class presentation in week 12 Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 2 March 2020 to 7 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 March 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 3 July 2020 Semester 1 contact information
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Nicholas Phelps Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours up to 12 hours of lectures and workshops (8*1.5 hour ) and class presentation in week 12 Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 3 August 2020 to 1 November 2020 Last self-enrol date 14 August 2020 Census date 21 September 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 16 October 2020 Assessment period ends 27 November 2020 Semester 2 contact information
Time commitment details
170 hours
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
Recommended texts and other resources
Bourma, G. D., and Ling, R. (2004), The Research Process, Melbourne: Oxford University Press.
Evans, D. (2000). How to Write a Better Thesis or Report, Melbourne: Melbourne University Press. - Subject notes
For further information please refer to the https://edsc.unimelb.edu.au/graduate/subject-options/msd-studios/mup-studio
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Master of Urban Planning - Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further 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