PHS5001 · Advanced physics research project A

Overview

Students undertake an advanced research project involving original work on a topic chosen in consultation with an academic supervisor. The topic may be a continuation of research completed in PHS4002, enabling a deeper insight into a larger research problem. In this case, it is expected that the research outcomes will also be suitable for submission for publication in a peer-reviewed international journal. Alternatively, the project may be a separate topic to PHS4002, but the student must display a more mature research methodology than was required for PHS4002.

Areas of study: Master of Science in Physics

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook publishes no assessment items for this unit yet.

Interim seminar: 25% Interim thesis: 75%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Understand, use and explain the advanced concepts and principles of the research literature, which underpin the chosen area of research in theoretical, computational or experimental physics.
2. Synthesise and interpret the knowledge gained in the study of the underpinning research literature. This leads to the ability to identify a niche topic or topics within this existing body of literature, which represents a gap in current knowledge. This problem should be suitable for original research.
3. Solve an outstanding problem or problems in the chosen area for original research.
4. Present the results of the original research in written form as an interim thesis and also present key thesis results in oral form as an interim seminar.

Workload

24 hours per week which includes 18 hours of independent research; 4 hours interim seminar and interim thesis preparation (averaged over the semester); attendance at group meetings, seminars colloquia equivalent to 1 hour per week; specialist training and consultation with a supervisor, 1 hour each per fortnight.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.