SCI9000 Master of Science Dissertation Part Time (Mathematics)

Contents

• Staffing
• Rationale
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Reference materials
• Student workload
• Assessment details
• Important assessment information
• Assessment notes
• Production date
• PDF version

STAFFING

RATIONALE

This course is part of a supervised research project which provides opportunities for motivated and highly qualified students to undertake advanced study and to produce a research-based dissertation. Students develop the appropriate research skills and specialist knowledge which will enhance their career prospects or allow them to undertake further studies. The emphasis of the programme is on developing the appropriate knowledge and skills to undertake independent research and professional practice.

SYNOPSIS

Part-time candidates undertaking Master of Science research in Mathematics should enrol in this course for each semester of their candidature. This will normally be for a total of four semesters. Full time candidates undertaking Master of Science research in Mathematics should enrol in this course for each of the first two semesters of their candidature. They should enrol in the course SCI9002 Master of Science Dissertation Full Time (Maths) in subsequent semesters (normally a further two). The subject of their Research Project will be decided in consultation with their Project Supervisors and the Faculty of Sciences.

OBJECTIVES

On completion of this course students will be able to:

1.

identified their research topic (Supervisor's Report);

2.

demonstrated their ability to proceed with the research topic (Supervisor's Report);

3.

if appropriate, gained ethical clearance for their project (Supervisor's Report);

4.

prepared their research proposal to their supervisor's satisfaction (Supervisor's Report);

5.

demonstrated their ability to think analytically, critically and creatively about a chosen research topic and related issues within the area of specialisation chosen (Supervisor's Report);

6.

demonstrated competence in each component of empirical research procedures, viz; identification and analysis of research problems, formulation of hypotheses, operationalised research procedures, collected relevant data, carried out appropriate analysis of data, interpreted results obtained, and drawn appropriate conclusions (Supervisor's Report);

7.

competently written a dissertation based on the research project to communicate all aspects of the project to professional peers (Supervisor's Report);

8.

presented one seminar per year within the Faculty, outlining the project aims and progress (Seminar).

TOPICS

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

To be determined by the student's supervisor.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

NOTES

1.

Examiner will advise the due date of the Thesis.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, research group discussions, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   Not applicable.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   Not applicable.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   The course will be graded as SP (Satisfactory Progress) or F (Fail). To be awarded the grade of SP, a student must be assessed by their Supervisor as having made satisfactory progress against a set of objectives provided by the Supervisor at the start of the semester which may include delivery, at a satisfactory standard, of a public seminar within the Faculty reporting on the scope and progress of the project work.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   Not applicable.
6. Examination information:
   There is no examination for this course.
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   There will be no Deferred or Supplementary examinations in this course.
8. University Regulations:
   Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

This version produced 11 Dec 2009.