Units
Research Project
Unit code: MAB687-2
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit provides you with an opportunity to undertake a research project under the supervision of either an academic staff member or an industry partner (or both). You will apply your mathematical and statistical training to contribute to the advancement of knowledge in a problem of contemporary and/or industrial interest.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 1 | Yes |
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
| 2013 Summer | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
Research in the mathematical sciences contributes to a wide variety of fields in the real world. Building on problem solving skills developed in the first two years of mathematical sciences studies, this unit offers you the opportunity to investigate and develop a more holistic, systematic problem solving approach. Such skills are required to undertake research in real world contexts and in further studies at university.
Aims
The aim of this unit is to allow you to utilise and extend upon your existing knowledge and problem solving skills and to develop your communication skills by completing a specified research project under controlled supervision.
Objectives
On successful completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- Use skills and knowledge developed throughout your undergraduate studies in mathematical sciences, and extended here, to investigate, formulate and solve an undergraduate level research problem in a given context.
- Communicate results of your research project through a formal report and oral seminar, in the format required and/or commonly used in the research area.
- Demonstrate personal and professional responsibility with regard to project planning and resolution.
Content
The mathematical details of the project will vary, depending on the project itself. The generic content would normally include the following components.
- Project proposal and motivation
- Project development
- Review of literature
- Analysis and investigation of a problem
- Preparation and presentation of research paper/report
- Preparation and presentation of research seminar
NOTE: In meeting the requirements of undergraduate mathematics degrees, by undertaking MAB687 you also need to complete a minimum of 36 additional credit points from other third level mathematics units. That is, this unit can only count 12 credit points towards the requirement of 48 credit points of 3rd level units in undergraduate mathematics degrees.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
NOTE: You may only enrol in this unit if you have a research project supervisor from the academic staff of the Mathematical Sciences School and a research project. The approval of the unit coordinator is also required to enrol in this unit. As such, you are advised to have a plan to study alternative units in the event that your enrolment is not approved.
Teaching and learning approaches of the project will vary, depending on the project itself. Generic approaches would normally include:
- Engaging in real world research learning experiences such as learning by apprenticeship, observation and analysis of expert practice
- Attending research seminars followed by discussion
- Reviewing and discussing literature
- Developing your ability to reproduce ¿expert¿ practice under guidance of your research project supervisor
- Applying knowledge and skills through your development and presentation of the research report and seminar
There are no formal classes in this unit, however you are required to attend at least 10 Mathematical Sciences School research seminars (or other seminars approved by your research project supervisor) over the period of enrolment in MAB687-1 and MAB687-2. You are also required to meet regularly with your research project supervisor to promote learning through discussion on planning issues, feedback on interim reports, advice on work in progress and guidance on future developments.
Assessment
General assessment information
Summative assessment in this unit is based on your presentation of a written research report/paper and an oral research seminar. These items allow you to demonstrate that you have applied your existing and extended skills and knowledge in mathematical sciences to investigate, formulate and solve a research problem. They also provide different ways for you to communicate mathematical and/or statistical information and to substantiate your personal and professional responsibility with regard to planning and resolving a research project.
Formative assessment will comprise two elements. Formative assessment in the form of regular meetings with your supervisor supplemented by their feedback on your work in progress will support your successful completion of all assessment items. Similarly, self-assessment of your own progress in comparison with defined project aims and with expert practice will guide you in your approach to written and oral assessment items.Feedback in this unit is provided to you in the following ways:
- criteria sheet grading of your final assessment items
- written and/or oral feedback from your research project supervisor on work-in-progress
Assessment name:
Presentation (Oral or Group)
Description:
You will present a summary of your project and its main outcomes to demonstrate via oral communication that you have applied your knowledge to investigate, formulate and solve a research problem in a personally and professionally responsible manner. The presentation will be in the form of a seminar to an audience that includes at least your supervisor(s), the unit coordinator, and Head of School.
Relates to objectives:
1-3
Weight:
40%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Late semester
Assessment name:
Report
Description:
You will submit a written report providing details of the work undertaken while completing the project, including background to the research problem, a description of the project itself and details of results and outcomes achieved. The report will demonstrate in a written form that you have applied your knowledge to investigate, formulate and solve a research problem in a personally and professionally responsible manner. The report will be in the form of either a micro-thesis or the style of a refereed journal article in the relevant field.
Relates to objectives:
1-3
Weight:
60%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Late semester
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
Software requirements of the project will vary, depending on the project itself, but would normally be provided via student computer laboratories.
Texts and literature requirements of the project will vary, depending on the project itself, but would normally be available via the QUT library or the supervisor.
Risk assessment statement
It is expected that there will be no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 12-Oct-2012
