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Unit outline_

PHYS5035: Research Methodology and Project A

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

In this unit a research project is undertaken. The topic of the project will be determined in consultation with the course coordinator. In addition, the processes involved in conducting various forms of research, basic data analysis and interpretation, research writing and presentation skills are covered. For students in part-time enrolment there will be a requirement for an interim report and research seminar which will be assessed at the end of semester. For students concurrently enrolled in PHYS5036, Only one report and seminar is required representing both UoS.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Physics Academic Operations
Credit points 12
Prerequisites
? 
PHYS5002 and PHYS5029 and PHYS5011 and PHYS5012 and PHYS5005 and PHYS5006 and PHYS5018 and PHYS5020
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
PHYS5019
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Sarah Alnaghy, sarah.alnaghy@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation hurdle task Oral presentation
Oral presentation
10% Week 12 15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO6
Assignment hurdle task Research Report
Research Report
90% Week 13
Due date: 01 Nov 2024 at 23:59
20 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

  • Oral presentation: This will be a 15-minute presentation on the work to be included in the report. It will be presented at a research group seminar in the School of Physics, to be given one week before the report submission. The student should be prepared to answer questions following the 15-minute presentation. The presentation will be assessed by academic staff and external supervisors who are expected to attend. Must be attempted & must meet hurdle mark threshold otherwise = AF grade.
  • Report: The report will be read and assessed by an external expert and by the primary supervisor, who may also seek input from co-supervisors.Must be attempted & must meet hurdle mark threshold otherwise = AF grade.
Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

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 superior standard, a credit competent work demonstrating potential for higher study, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

The project is rated highly on all the assessment criteria and is of exceptional quality overall.

Distinction

75 - 84

The project presents a detailed and thorough treatment of all aspects of the problem and has no flaws in knowledge or comprehension. The project is rated at least well on all assessment criteria. There is clear evidence of understanding and evidence of originality, independence and critical thinking in the conduct and reporting of the project.

Credit

65 - 74

The project presents a sound and thorough treatment of the problem and has no serious flaws in knowledge or comprehension. The project is rated at least moderately well on all assessment criteria. There is clear evidence of understanding of the work and independence or critical thinking in the conduct or reporting of the project, but less than required for a DI or independence is undermined by some other flaw.

Pass

50 - 64

The project addresses the problem adequately, meeting the basic requirements for the conduct
and reporting of research, but there may be one or more problems; eg omissions, inconsistencies, poor organization; misinterpretation of results, etc. There is evidence of understanding of the work and some evidence of independent or critical thinking around the topic, either in planning, conduct, analysis or reporting of the work. The project is rated adequate on most or all criteria.

Fail

0 - 49

The project may demonstrate some competence but contains significant or critical omissions,
misconceptions, lack of understanding, inconsistencies, or unrecognised deficiencies or
limitations in methodology, or misinterpreted analysis, or lack of integration with the framework. The literature review may be simplistic or limited. It may be written in a way that it is difficult for the marker to ascertain the nature or significance of the problem. There may be little or no evidence of independent thought or performance. The project may be rated poorly on most or all of the assessment criteria.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

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.

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
Weekly Research project supervised by a supervisor Project (20 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

Where online tutorials/workshops/virtual laboratories have been scheduled, students should make every effort to attend and participate at the scheduled time. Penalties will not be applied if technical issues, etc. prevent attendance at a specific online class. In that case, students should discuss the problem with the coordinator, and attend another session, if available.

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. demonstrate an application of research methods
  • LO2. analyse, present and discuss results of measurements and/or calculations
  • LO3. review and cite relevant literature
  • LO4. complete literature review tasks
  • LO5. demonstrate presentation methods
  • LO6. demonstrate communication skills development
  • LO7. demonstrate scientific management skills.

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.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

More information can be found on Canvas.

Equity Access and Diversity Statement in Unit Outlines

Current Version – 17/1/20

The School of Physics recognises that biases and discrimination, including but not limited to those based on gender, race, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion and age, continue to impact parts of our community disproportionately. Consequently, the School is strongly committed to taking effective steps to make our environment supportive and inclusive and one that provides equity of access and opportunity for everyone.

The School has three Equity Officers as a point of contact for students and staff who may have a query or concern about any issues relating to equity, access and diversity. If you feel you have been treated unfairly, bullied, discriminated against or disadvantaged in any way, you are encouraged to talk to one of the Equity Officers or any member of the Physics staff.

More information can be found at https://sydney.edu.au/science/schools/school-of-physics/equity-access-diversity.html

Any student who feels they may need a special accommodation based on the impact of a disability should contact Disability Services: http://sydney.edu.au/current_students/disability/ who can help arrange support.

Additional costs

There are no additional costs for this unit.

Site visit guidelines

Please check the Canvas site for this unit for any information.

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

  • No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances 
  • A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory 
  • Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories 
  • In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door 
  • First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory 
  • As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

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.