Project or Thesis (MATH7012)

Course overview

Research project/thesis report on topic in research field as recommended by supervisor and approved by Head of School.

This course offers comprehensive and substantial research training. Students seeking enrollment must obtain a recommendation from their supervisor and approval from the Head of School. To secure this approval, please submit your request to smp.student@uq.edu.au. The #8-unit research project courses --- MATH7012, MATH7030, MATH7031, STAT7013, STAT7018, and STAT7019 --- all follow the same structure and requirements. Courses MATH7030 and STAT7018 commence in Semester 1 and conclude at the end of the subsequent Semester 2; MATH7031 and STAT7019 commence in Semester 2 and conclude at the end of the following Semester 1. Meanwhile, courses MATH7012 and STAT7013 are designed for completion within a single semester (either in Semester 1, or Semester 2, but not in the Summer Semester).

This course involves focused study and research on a selected topic within Mathematics, including Applied Mathematics, Data Science, Mathematics Education, and Statistics, under the guidance of an academic staff member from the School of Mathematics and Physics. The principal component of the project entails reading and comprehensively understanding recent developments in mathematics and statistics research literature, followed by writing a detailed report or thesis. Depending on the chosen area of specialization, the project may involve applying established theories to novel problems, comparing various methodologies, or synthesizing scattered results into a coherent presentation. To identify an appropriate research topic, students typically consult with members of the Mathematics Discipline whose research aligns with their interests, subsequently selecting a topic that best fits their academic goals. Further details on ongoing research within the School are available from the postgraduate coursework coordinator. While producing original, publishable results is commendable, it is not a mandatory expectation at this academic level. Nevertheless, a high-quality project will offer valuable insights to mathematicians and statisticians by providing a clear and informative overview of contemporary research.

Throughout the duration of the project, students are required to:

• Submit a progress report midway through their enrollment;
• Deliver a 25-minute presentation to students and faculty of the School during the latter half of their enrollment;
• Submit a final comprehensive report or thesis at the conclusion of the project;
• Participate in an oral examination (thesis defense), where two examiners will pose questions about their project.

Course requirements

Assumed background

A background in mathematics and/or statistics which the project advisorﾠdeems sufficient to work on the project.

Restrictions

Permission of Head of School

Course contact

Timetable

Additional timetable information

Students will usually meet weekly with their advisor.

Aims and outcomes

To read and understand recently developed mathematics and statistics from the research literature and ﾠto explain this material in a seminar and a written report or thesis.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.

Assessment details

Project Seminar

• Identity Verified

Mode

Activity/ Performance, Oral

Category

Presentation

Weight

10%

Due date

28/07/2025 - 31/10/2025

The precise date will be advised in due course.

Other conditions

Student specific.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03

Task description

Submission guidelines

The seminar should be video recorded. The video record could be submitted to the Blackboard system, or saved by the supervisor for one year.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

See ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT INFORMATION for extension and deferred examination information relating to this assessment item.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item then the listed penalty will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point any submission will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is recorded from the time the submission is due.

Progress Report

Mode

Written

Category

Notebook/ Logbook, Project

Weight

20%

Due date

19/09/2025 4:00 pm

Other conditions

Student specific.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02

Task description

Submission guidelines

An electronic version is required, preferably in PDF format. The file is to be submitted to the Blackboard system.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

See ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT INFORMATION for extension and deferred examination information relating to this assessment item.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item then the listed penalty will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point any submission will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is recorded from the time the submission is due.

Project Thesis

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project, Thesis

Weight

70%

Due date

10/11/2025 4:00 pm

Other conditions

Student specific.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L04

Task description

Submission guidelines

An electronic version is required, preferably in PDF format. The file is to be submitted to the Blackboard system.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

See ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT INFORMATION for extension and deferred examination information relating to this assessment item.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item then the listed penalty will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point any submission will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is recorded from the time the submission is due.

Thesis Defense

• Hurdle
• Identity Verified

Mode

Oral

Category

Presentation, Project

Weight

pass/fail

Due date

17/11/2025 - 21/11/2025

The due date will be determined with your supervisor.

Other conditions

Student specific.

See the conditions definitions

Learning outcomes

L01, L05

Task description

Hurdle requirements

Submission guidelines

The thesis defense should be video recorded. The video record could be submitted to the Blackboard system, or saved by the supervisor for one year.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

See ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT INFORMATION for extension and deferred examination information relating to this assessment item.

Late submission

You will receive a mark of 0 if this assessment is submitted late.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to my.UQ for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply. 

Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.  

If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.  

The supplementary assessment for a student receiving a grade of 3 is contingent upon the overall outcome of the project assessment. Specifically, if the student fails the defense but would have passed the project in the absence of the hurdle requirement, the supplementary assessment will consist of a second defense. Otherwise, if the student would have failed the project regardless of the hurdle, the supplementary assessment will include both a revised project report and a second defense. The revised report must demonstrate substantial improvement relative to the initial submission.

Additional assessment information

Artificial Intelligence

To pass this course, students will be required to demonstrate a detailed understanding of course material together with a range of associated skills independent of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) tools.

For assessment tasks that are completed in-person (including examinations) termed “secure assessment”, the use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted unless otherwise advised. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

 Other non-secure assessment tasks (such as assignments) are designed to help you develop your understanding and skills, and to prepare you for secure assessment. You are thus generally encouraged to complete such assessment without the use of AI/MT, unless explicitly advised to the contrary in the assessment item. In any event, if you choose to use such tools, then you must clearly reference any such use within your submitted work. A failure to reference AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Applications for Extensions to Assessment Due Dates

Extension requests are submitted online via my.UQ – applying for an extension. Extension requests received in any other way will not be approved. Additional details associated with extension requests, including acceptable and unacceptable reasons, may be found at my.UQ.

Please note:

• Requests for an extension to an assessment due date must be submitted through your my.UQ portal and you must provide documentation of your circumstances, as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed. Your application must be submitted on or before the assessment item's due date and time.
• Applications for extension can take time to be processed so you should continue to work on your assessment item while awaiting a decision. We recommend that you submit any completed work by the due date, and this will be marked if your application is not approved. Should your application be approved, then you will be able to resubmit by the agreed revised due date.
• If an extension is approved, you will be notified via your my.UQ portal and the new date and time for submission provided. It is important that you check the revised date as it may differ from the date that you requested.
• If the basis of the application is a medical condition, applications should be accompanied by a medical certificate dated prior to the assignment due date. If you are unable to provide documentation to support your application by the due date and time you must still submit your application on time and attach a written statement (Word document) outlining why you cannot provide the documentation. You must then upload the documentation to the portal within 24 hours.
• If an extension is being sought on the basis of exceptional circumstances, it must be accompanied by supporting documentation (eg. Statutory declaration).
• For extensions based on a SAP you may be granted a maximum of 7 days (if no earlier maximum timeframe applies). See the Extension or Deferral availability section of each assessment for details. Your SAP is all that is required as documentation to support your application. However, additional extension requests for the assessment item will require the submission of additional supporting documentation e.g., a medical certificate. All extension requests must be received by the assessment due date and time.
• An extension for an assessment item due within the teaching period in which the course is offered, must not exceed four weeks in total. If you are incapacitated for a period exceeding four weeks of the teaching period, you are advised to apply for Removal of Course.
• If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 14 days, you are advised to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses this semester. You might be eligible to withdraw without academic penalty - seek advice from the Faculty that administers your program.
• Students may be asked to submit evidence of work completed to date. Lack of adequate progress on your assessment item may result in an extension being denied.
• There are no provisions for exemption from an assessment item within UQ rules. If you are unable to submit an assessment piece then, under special circumstances, you may be granted an exemption, but may be required to submit alternative assessment to ensure all learning outcomes are met.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

The project advisor will give students advice about appropriate sources of information.

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.