Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 14/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 8
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Mathematics & Physics School
Experimental or theoretical research project on topic in research field in department or another field recommended by supervisor and approved by head of department. Students commencing course in Semester 1 enrol in PHYS6600 for Semester 1 and Semester 2; students commencing in Semester 2 enrol in PHYS6601 for Semester 2 and the following Semester 1.
Experimental, theoretical, and/or computational project on a topic approved by the Honours Co-ordinator and the Head of Physics. The major assessment item is an Honours Thesis, submitted after two semesters of work.ﾠ During the two semesters, students submit a project plan, literature review and progress report, present two seminars, and do an oral exam.
Students commencing in Semester 1 enrol in PHYS6600; students commencing in Semester 2 enrol in PHYS6601.
Course requirements
Assumed background
A satisfactory completion of advanced physics courses (typically a GPA of at least 5), as well as a good understanding of first, second, and third year courses in Physics and Mathematics relevant to the research project topic.ﾠ If you are in doubt about this, please ask the Physics Honours Co-ordinator.
The enrolment procedures for PHYS6600 (Semester 1 start) and PHYS6601 (Semester 2 start) depend on whether you were a BSc (or equivalent) or a current BAdvSc(Hons) student. These are described at https://smp.uq.edu.au/study/honours-programs.
Before enrolling your task is to choose your researchﾠtopic. Start by looking at our list https://smp.uq.edu.au/research/projects.
Find a project you are interested in doing, discuss it, and get it agreed to by your supervisor.
If you want to undertake an interdisciplinary research project then your plan must be approved by the Head of Physics, after discussion with the Physics Honours Co-ordinator.
Restrictions
Admission to BSc(Hons).
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
There is a one-hour weekly class time scheduled to introduce and discuss the various research tasks and milestones as the semesters proceed.ﾠ A timetable of topics will be posted on the Blackboard course website. This schedule takes into account public holidays. Note that not all of these class times will be devoted to the PHYS6601 course.
Classes will be conducted on campus.
As this course is worth 4 units per semester, you are expected to work halftime on it. This means approximately 20 hours per week should be dedicated to the research project.
You should have regular meetings as agreed with your supervisor.ﾠ Typically this is one hour a week.
You should map out a program of work with your supervisor in the first two weeks of your project, as background to your project plan, and discuss updates of the program at regular intervals.
You are strongly encouraged to take a recreational break during the break between teaching semesters.
Aims and outcomes
The aim of the Honours project is to develop the research skills of the student by carrying out a year-long research project at the cutting ede of a specialised area of physics.ﾠ It will prepare the student for a future research career, or entry into postgraduate study such as an MPhil or PhD research higher degree.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Plan, develop and carry out an independent research project (under supervision).
LO2.
Gain in-depth knowledge of a specific topic area through a thorough literature review.
LO3.
Use literature research skills to locate and use appropriate information sources.
LO4.
Present results of research in written form, including a thesis.
LO5.
Present results of research in oral form, including a seminar.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Project Plan
|
(100% penalty for fail/non-submission) |
2/08/2024 2:00 pm |
| Presentation |
Honours Progress Talk
|
(10% penalty for fail/non-completion) |
21/10/2024 - 25/10/2024 |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Progress Report with Literature Review
|
(100% penalty for fail/non-submission) |
24/02/2025 2:00 pm
First Monday of second semester of the project |
| Presentation |
Honours Final Talk
|
(10% penalty for non-completion) (Helps examiners determine Thesis grade.) |
19/05/2025 - 23/05/2025 |
| Thesis | Honours Thesis | 100% |
9/06/2025 2:00 pm
First Monday of exam period of project 2nd semester |
| Examination |
Oral Examination
|
(100% penalty for non-participation) (Helps examiners determine Thesis grade.) |
11/06/2025 - 20/06/2025 |
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 Plan
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- (100% penalty for fail/non-submission)
- Due date
2/08/2024 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01
Task description
Write a research proposal of up to, but not more than, one page. Describe the background and aims of your project. Outline the work that you plan to do, including the methods or general strategy. Make sure you include the project title, your name, and that of your supervisor(s).
Show the proposal to your supervisor(s) for their feedback before you submit it.
Hurdle requirements
See COURSE GRADING INFORMATION for the hurdle relating to this assessment item.Submission guidelines
Submit pdf file to the Physics Honours Assessment website (or, as backup method, email to Physics Honours Co-ordinator). Use the file-naming convention Plan_surname.pdf.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
If you feel you are unlikely to be able to complete an assessment piece on time and you have extenuating circumstances, please communicate with both your supervisor and the Physics Honours Co-ordinator as soon as this is apparent. 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.
Late submission of a Project Plan will result in a Fail.
Honours Progress Talk
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- (10% penalty for fail/non-completion)
- Due date
21/10/2024 - 25/10/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L05
Task description
Approximately half-way through their project, students will give a roughly 15 minute presentation on their Honours project to their research group, and expert examiner if possible. The presentation will be given in-person or via video-conferencing, as appropriate at the time.
Show your supervisor(s) a draft of the talk, and practise your talk with your peers before presenting to the group.
The student will enable feedback from the audience using the oral presentation feedback form available via Blackboard.
The supervisor and student co-ordinate to choose a convenient time for the research group and expert examiner, preferably within the last week of the student's first semester on the project.
Hurdle requirements
See COURSE GRADING INFORMATION for the hurdle relating to this assessment item.Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
If you feel you are unlikely to be able to complete an assessment piece on time and you have extenuating circumstances, please communicate with both your supervisor and the Physics Honours Co-ordinator as soon as this is apparent. See ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT INFORMATION for extension and deferred examination information relating to this assessment item.
Progress Report with Literature Review
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- (100% penalty for fail/non-submission)
- Due date
24/02/2025 2:00 pm
First Monday of second semester of the project
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Each student will submit a written progress report. Discuss in detail with your supervisor(s) the progress that has been made and what steps are needed to finish the project, as well as an appropriate format for the report. The report should include a comprehensive background and literature review in a form appropriate for inclusion in the thesis. Include the background theory needed for a non-expert to understand your project. The report should also include a description of the progress of the research work to date and a brief plan for the rest of the project.
Length is typically 10-15 pages.
The style of writing and referencing should be the same as that expected for the thesis.
You can write your report in whatever format you like (TeX, Word, etc). Discuss with your supervisor what may be appropriate. A thesis template, which you may find useful, is available.
The Progress Report with Literature Review should read as a coherent, stand-alone document (not an incomplete draft of the Thesis).
Show a draft of the report to your supervisor(s) for their feedback before you submit it.
Hurdle requirements
See COURSE GRADING INFORMATION for the hurdle relating to this assessment item.Submission guidelines
Submit pdf file to the Physics Honours Assessment website (or, as backup method, email to Physics Honours Co-ordinator). Use the file-naming convention Progress_surname.pdf.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 21 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
If you feel you are unlikely to be able to complete an assessment piece on time and you have extenuating circumstances, please communicate with both your supervisor and the Physics Honours Co-ordinator as soon as this is apparent. 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.
Late submission of a Progress Report will result in a Fail.
Honours Final Talk
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- (10% penalty for non-completion) (Helps examiners determine Thesis grade.)
- Due date
19/05/2025 - 23/05/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L05
Task description
At the end of their project students will give a 20 minute oral presentation on their Honours project to the entire Physics department. The presentation will be given in-person and/or via Zoom video-conferencing, as appropriate at that time. The presentation is immediately followed by a maximum of 5 minutes of question-and-answer with the audience.
Discuss a draft of your Final Talk with your supervisor(s), and practise your talk with your peers.
Final Talks occur in the second-last week of the second semester of the project.
The Honours Co-ordinator schedules the talks of all students, aiming to organise so that all assessors can see, live, the presentation of the project they are assessing.
Hurdle requirements
See COURSE GRADING INFORMATION for the hurdle relating to this assessment item.Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
If you feel you are unlikely to be able to complete an assessment piece on time and you have extenuating circumstances, please communicate with both your supervisor and the Physics Honours Co-ordinator as soon as this is apparent.See ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT INFORMATION for extension and deferred examination information relating to this assessment item.
Honours Thesis
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Thesis
- Weight
- 100%
- Due date
9/06/2025 2:00 pm
First Monday of exam period of project 2nd semester
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
At the end of the second semester of the project each student will submit a substantial piece of written work in the form of a thesis. The thesis should introduce the project, explaining the motivation and the wider context of the research field. It should show familiarity with the literature (and the literature review that was due half-way through the year will likely form the basis of this part of the thesis). The description of the project should be thorough enough that a new student wanting to reproduce the work would be able to do so, based on the information given. The thesis should show clearly what aspects of the project work was performed by the student. Results of the research should be clearly presented, and interpreted, with an explanation of how the findings fit into the current state of research in the area. The student may want to include in their conclusion options for how this project could be extended in the future.
Length is around 50 pages. This length is a guideline. Heavily theoretical theses tend to be shorter, while experimental theses with many plots and a lot of data to display tend to be longer. Conciseness and clarity is appreciated by assessors. A densely written report may be able to convey the required content in fewer pages.
A physics thesis template is available, which you may find useful.
Submit a draft of the Thesis to your supervisor(s) for feedback well before the due date! - generally a week before the Final Talk.
Submission guidelines
Submit pdf file to the Physics Honours Assessment website (or, as backup method, email to Physics Honours Co-ordinator). Use the file-naming convention Thesis_surname.pdf.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
If you feel you are unlikely to be able to complete an assessment piece on time and you have extenuating circumstances, please communicate with both your supervisor and the Physics Honours Co-ordinator as soon as this is apparent.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.
Oral Examination
- Hurdle
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- (100% penalty for non-participation) (Helps examiners determine Thesis grade.)
- Due date
11/06/2025 - 20/06/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L05
Task description
During the exam period following submission of the thesis, each student will participate in an oral examination with a small panel who have previously seen the Final Talk and read the Thesis.
The oral examination will be done in-person or via video-conferencing, as appropriate at the time.
The panel for the Oral Examination comprises the supervisor(s), and the expert and non-expert examiner. The Honours Co-ordinator will not usually participate, but can at their discretion or if requested to do so by any of the participants.
The purpose of the Oral Exam is to determine whether the student has understood the work presented in the thesis, further assess the depth of that understanding, and give the student the opportunity to clarify points the examiners may have found confusing.
Prepare a verbal overview, of a few minutes' duration, summarising what you've done in the project and highlighting your major achievements.
The oral exam should be less than an hour.
The oral exam will occur during the exam period of the second semester of the project.
The student will contact their supervisor(s) and the examiners and arrange a mutually convenient time. If an on-campus meeting room is required, the student can liaise with the Physics Administrator to book a room.
Hurdle requirements
See COURSE GRADING INFORMATION for the hurdle relating to this assessment item.Exam details
| Planning time | no planning time minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 60 minutes |
| Calculator options | No calculators permitted |
| Open/closed book | Open Book examination |
| Exam platform | Other |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
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.
If you feel you are unlikely to be able to complete an assessment piece on time and you have extenuating circumstances, please communicate with both your supervisor and the Physics Honours Co-ordinator as soon as this is apparent. 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.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 0-19.X% See the UQ Physics Honours Thesis Assessment Rubric for detailed description |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 20-44.X% See the UQ Physics Honours Thesis Assessment Rubric for detailed description |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: 45-49.X% See the UQ Physics Honours Thesis Assessment Rubric for detailed description |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 50-64.X% See the UQ Physics Honours Thesis Assessment Rubric for detailed description |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 65-74.X% See the UQ Physics Honours Thesis Assessment Rubric for detailed description |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 75-84.X% See the UQ Physics Honours Thesis Assessment Rubric for detailed description |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 85-100% See the UQ Physics Honours Thesis Assessment Rubric for detailed description |
Additional course grading information
Whilst the Honours Thesis is worth 100% of the course assessment, there are assessment hurdles where penalty marks can be applied:
- Project Planﾠ - if not submitted or graded as Fail, penalty of 100% to Thesis mark
- Progress Talk - if not presented or graded as Fail, penalty of 10% to Thesis mark
- Progress Report with Literature Review - if not submitted or graded as Fail, penalty of 100% to Thesis mark
- Final Talk - if not presented, penalty of 10% to Thesis mark
- Oral examination - if not completed, penalty of 100% to Thesis mark
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 for this course will be resubmission of the Thesis, incorporating feedback from assessors, within 2 weeks of notification of the failing grade. To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment.
Additional assessment information
For further details, including the Thesis Assessment Rubric, refer to the Physics Honours Assessment Procedures document via Blackboard.
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.
Using AI-enabled software (such as Grammarly) to proofread your writing and improve the mechanics of your writing is acceptable.
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.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks |
General contact hours |
Project Independent, supervised research leading to a thesis and seminar. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
General contact hours |
Research training Discussion of research and review processes and FAQ's Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04, L05 |
Additional learning activity information
Students will be required to carry out an independent project on a topic agreed between the supervisor/s and the student. The project is largely self-directed but students should meet regularly with their supervisor/s to discuss progress, problems, and direction of their research. Students will be required to conduct a search of the relevant literature and present their findings through a written thesis and oral presentation.
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 - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.