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Unit outline_

AMME5223: Dissertation B

Semester 1, 2024 [Supervision] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

To complete a substantial research project and successfully analyse a problem, devise appropriate experiments, analyse the results and produce a well-argued, in-depth thesis. The final research project should be completed and reported at a level which meets AQF level 9 outcomes and has original components as would be expected in MPhil.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points 12
Prerequisites
? 
AMME5222
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
AMME5020 or AMME5021 or AMME5022 or BMET5020 or BMET5021 or BMET5022 or BMET5222 or BMET5223 or BMET5010
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Paul Briozzo, paul.briozzo@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 April 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Small continuous assessment Progress report
Report submitted in the previous semester
10% Progressive Previous semester
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO4 LO3
Presentation Presentation/Seminar
In-Person Seminar Presentation
10% Week 11
Due date: 10 May 2024 at 23:59
See Canvas
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO3 LO2
Dissertation Thesis
Dissertation Thesis
80% Week 13
Due date: 24 May 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 14 Jun 2024
See Canvas
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Assessment summary

Presentation/Seminar: Seminar (Dissertation B). This is an opportunity for students to present their work to other students and to staff. Evaluation will be based on the quality and coherence of the presentation, quality of subject matter and the handling of questions from the audience.

Thesis: Thesis submission (Dissertation B). An electronic copy of the Thesis (PDF format) must be submitted through the Canvas site via Turnitin on the due date. Statement identifying the specific contributions of the student and others must be included. Thesis content requirements are set out in the School`s Marking Sheet, which provides the basis for thesis marking. Students should note that there are no marks for length and no specific length requirement. Typical postgraduate theses should not exceed 100 pages (approximately 40-45,000 words - excluding preliminary pages, references and appendices), but may be considerably less. Dissertation is about quality not quantity. Students should closely consult their supervisor as well as the Marking Sheet regarding the appropriate content, organisation and formatting.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

High distinction

85 - 100

Awarded when students demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard.

Distinction

75 - 84

Awarded when students demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard.

Credit

65 - 74

Awarded when students demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a high standard.

Pass

50 - 64

Awarded when students demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard.

Fail

0 - 49

Awarded when students do not meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

5% per day late penalty will be applied in accordance with the Assessment Procedures 2011. 100% late penalty will be applied for a missed presentation/seminar session.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Ongoing Independent research for 20 hours per week during the semester. Independent study (260 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. formulate and plan a personal research project
  • LO2. demonstrate originality, ingenuity and initiative in dealing with critical research issues
  • LO3. demonstrate in-depth knowledge of a specialised area within the discipline
  • LO4. devise an appropriate research method
  • LO5. analyse raw data, draw appropriate conclusions and present those conclusions in context, with due consideration of methods and assumptions involved
  • LO6. document and report research work undertaken in a format appropriate for academic literature
  • LO7. deliver a research presentation that is clear, confident and engaging to an academic audience.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Better resources for Dissertation B will be provided through CANVAS.

In order to enrol in a dissertation project, students must first secure an academic supervisor in an area that they are interested. Students must have acieved a WAM of 75% or greater in their prior year of study. The topic of your project must be determined in discussion with the supervisor.

Work, health and safety

Appropriate risk assessments and lab inductions as required, consult your supervisor for details.
 

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.