Project or Thesis (MATH7031)

Course overview

Research project/thesis report on topic in research field as recommended by supervisor and approved by Head of School. Students commencing in Semester 1 enrol in MATH7030 for Semester 1 and Semester 2; students commencing in Semester 2 enrol in MATH7031 for Semester 2 and the following Semester 1.

This course involves work and study on a topic in Mathematics under the guidance of a member of the School of Mathematics and Physics.  The most important part of the project involves reading and understanding recently developed mathematics and statistics from the research literature (i.e. reading papers in journals), and writing a report or thesis. Depending on the area of specialisation, the project could involve applying these ideas in a new area or to a new problem. It may also involve comparing different approaches and techniques, or giving a coherent exposition of results scattered around the research literature.

Although it is particularly exciting if a student produces new publishable results; it is not required at this level. However a good project should be of interest to other mathematicians and statisticians for giving a good explanation and description of current research.

Over the two semesters of their enrolment students will:

• submit a progress report midway through the project,  
• give a 25 minute talk to students and staff of the mathematics department in the second semester of their enrolment.
• submit a final report (or thesis) at the end of their second semester.
• attend an interview (defense of the thesis) to enable two examiners to ask any questions about the project.

To find a topic, students usually ask members of the Mathematics Department working in areas of interest for suggestions. They are then free to select the most interesting topic. More information about research in the mathematics department can be found from the postgraduate coursework coordinator.   

MSc students must be enrolled in either MATH7030 or MATH7031 over two semesters. Students starting in Semester 1 enrol in MATH7030 in semester 1 and the following semester 2. Students starting in semester 2 enrol in MATH7031 in semester 2 and the following semester 1.

Course requirements

Assumed background

 A background in mathematics and statistics the project advisor deems sufficient to work on the project.

Prerequisites

You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:

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 to 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

Assessment details

Project Report

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation

Weight

15%

Due date

4/11/2024 4:00 pm

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04

Task description

Submission guidelines

Electronic version required, preferably in PDF format. The file is to be submitted to the Blackboard. However, for the placement projects with a Confidentialty Agreement, the report should instead be submitted via email, to the supervisor.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

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.

Seminar

Mode

Oral

Category

Presentation

Weight

10%

Due date

The precise date will be advised in the second semester of enrolment.

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04

Task description

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

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

Mode

Written

Category

Paper/ Report/ Annotation

Weight

70%

Due date

9/06/2025 4:00 pm

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04

Task description

Submission guidelines

Electronic version required, preferably in PDF format. The file is to be submitted to the Blackboard. However, for the placement projects with a Confidentialty Agreement, the report should instead be submitted via email, to the supervisor.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

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 Defence

Mode

Oral

Category

Presentation

Weight

5%

Due date

The precise date will be advised in the second semester of enrolment.

Learning outcomes

L01, L02, L03, L04

Task description

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

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

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. 

Supplementary assessment can take any form, for example, an oral or a written exam. Students who are eligible and approved for a supplementary assessment and the form of assessment is an examination, are expected to be available to sit the supplementary exam during the University’s Deferred and Supplementary examination period. Once approved, supplementary assessment cannot be rescinded by the student.

To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment. 

Additional assessment information

Artificial Intelligence

The assessment tasks in this course evaluate students’ abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute 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

Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.

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.