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Research Project (PHYC90023)
Graduate courseworkPoints: 25Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
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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 - Dual-Delivery Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery |
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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: 31 January 2024
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: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
A preliminary literature survey and research plan (mixed text, diagrams, and mathematical formulas; pass/fail)
| At the end of year one or after the student has enrolled in 25 points of Research Project | N/A |
An oral presentation (up to 20 minutes; pass/fail)
| At the end of year one or after the student has enrolled in 25 points of Research Project | N/A |
Major thesis, comprising up to 50 pages of mixed text, diagrams, and mathematical formulas
| At the end of the second year of the MSc | 90% |
An oral presentation lasting up to 30 minutes
| At the end of the second year of the MSc | 10% |
Hurdle requirement: 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 | N/A |
Additional details
The assessment requirements above are applicable to the entire 100 point Research Project.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Jeffrey McCallum Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours Distribution of time between specific tasks will be decided in negotiation with the supervisor, but an overall weekly commitment of 20 hours per week, comprising seminars and research, is expected. Teaching period 28 February 2022 to 29 May 2022 Last self-enrol date 11 March 2022 Census date 31 March 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 6 May 2022 Assessment period ends 24 June 2022 Semester 1 contact information
Email: msc@physics.unimelb.edu.au
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Jeffrey McCallum Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours Distribution of time between specific tasks will be decided in negotiation with the supervisor, but an overall weekly commitment of 20 hours per week, comprising seminars and research, is expected. Teaching period 25 July 2022 to 23 October 2022 Last self-enrol date 5 August 2022 Census date 31 August 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 23 September 2022 Assessment period ends 18 November 2022 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.
Additional delivery details
This subject is delivered either partially or fully in-person in Second Half Year 2020. Please ensure you are able to attend any essential in-person requirements or speak to Stop 1 about alternative subject options.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
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: 31 January 2024