Unit details

PHYS5562 Research Proposal in Astronomy and Astrophysics

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 1	UWA (Perth)	Face to face
Semester 2	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Content

In this unit students will begin to investigate a specific topic area in astronomy and astrophysics, developing specific knowledge in that area based on their broader knowledge of astronomy and astrophysics, and communicating this in a written literature review that forms part of a research proposal. In close conjunction with their supervisors, the students' will then identify a research problem or question aimed at extending knowledge in that area, design a research plan to solve the problem or answer the question, and learn to report on and defend that plan as both a written proposal and an oral defence.

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) discuss their specific research topic with their supervisors at a level appropriate to a commencing Masters student in the field of Astronomy & Astrophysics.; (2) independently discover research papers relevant to the research topic, building a collection of papers that sufficiently summarises the state-of-the-art in the topic area to justify the research proposal.; (3) accurately summarise and critique the relevant research papers in a cohesive literature review, using correct terminology and reasoning, and their broader knowledge of astronomy and astrophysics,; (4) justify a research problem or question aimed at extending knowledge in the chosen topic area.; (5) design a research plan that uses the available time and resources realistically to attempt to solve/answer the research problem/question, and that includes contingency planning for any identified risks in the plan.; (6) write a cohesive research proposal that includes the literature review, using correct grammar, and a written style and referencing system appropriate to the topic area in astronomy and astrophysics.; and (7) report and defend the research proposal in an oral presentation before a panel of expert astronomers and astrophysicists..

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) research assessment; (2) oral presentation and defence; and (3) written research proposal. Further information is available in the unit outline.

For units commencing in May 2022 or later the availability of the supplementary assessment is subject to confirmation.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Except where supplementary assessment is not available in a unit, it will be offered to students in all units who:

• Are in good academic standing overall;
• Have passed over half the units taken in the teaching period concerned, except where they are only enrolled in two or less units in the period;
• Have submitted all assessment items in the unit;
• Have achieved a mark between 45 and 49 for the unit overall, or the same mark in any failed component item in the unit; and
• No finding of academic misconduct has been made against them in the unit concerned.

Additionally student may apply for supplementary assessment in any unit which is the final unit required for graduation in there course and where they have achieved a mark between 45 and 49 for the unit overall, or the same mark in any failed component item in the unit.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Mr Matthew Young

Unit rules

Prerequisites:

Enrolment in in the ( CM015 Bachelor of Science [Frontier Physics] and Master of Physics or the 53560 Master of Physics ) and Enrolment (other than course) in the SP-ASTPH Astronomy and Astrophysics specialisation and completion of the core units in the Physics major or equivalent

Co-requisites:

PHYS5563 Dissertation in Astronomy and Astrophysics And PHYS5301 Physics Research Project Part 1 And PHYS5302 Physics Research Project Part 2 And PHYS5303 Physics Research Project Part 3 And PHYS5304 Physics Research Project Part 4

Incompatibility:

Nil