35000 Honours (Mathematical Sciences) 1
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Credit points: 8 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
The thesis is an individually supervised subject with no formally scheduled classes. Regular meetings are arranged between the supervisor and student. Students perform an independent investigation of an area of the mathematical sciences chosen in consultation with a supervisor. The subject is preparation for 35001 Thesis: Mathematics (Honours) Part B and results are only allocated on completion of that subject.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | develop a broad and deeper knowledge of the chosen field of study |
|---|---|
| 2. | review and respond to existing academic literature |
| 3. | work independently on a topic in the area of specialisation |
| 4. | present talks and seminars appropriate to professional meetings or academic conferences |
| 5. | prepare a formal report on the findings and results of a project |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Analyse: Examine and combine the principles and concepts of a broad understanding in a range of fundamental areas in the mathematical sciences (calculus, discrete mathematics, linear algebra, probability, statistics and quantitative management). (1.2)
- Synthesise: Integrate extensive knowledge of at least one sub-discipline of the Mathematical Sciences. (1.3)
- Apply: Formulate and model practical and abstract problems that are complex in nature using advanced quantitative principles, concepts, techniques, and technology. (2.1)
- Analyse: Devise solutions to problems based on a selection of approaches (e.g. analytic vs numerical/experimental, different statistical tests, different heuristic algorithms) and various sources of data and knowledge. (2.2)
- Apply: Ability to work effectively and responsibly in an individual or team context. (3.1)
- Analyse: Organise and manage a project demonstrating advanced skills in Mathematical Programming and Specialist Mathematical/Statistical/QM Software using time management and collaborative skills. (3.2)
- Analyse: Advanced information retrieval and consolidation skills applied to the critical evaluation of the mathematical/statistical aspects of information gathered. (4.2)
- Synthesise: Test critical thinking skills to create solutions for contemporary mathematics problems. (4.3)
- Synthesise: Conduct independent research to clarify a problem or to obtain the information required to develop elegant mathematical solutions. (5.3)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
1. Disciplinary Knowledge
You will learn about one sub-discipline of the Mathematical and Physical Sciences. These knowledge are presented throughout regular meetings and consultations with the supervisor, as well as other activities such as reading textbooks and journal articles. These knowledge are assessed in assessment tasks 1 and 2.
2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking
Scientific inquiry and critical thinking are developed through regular meetings and consultations with the supervisor, where real-world examples, research and articles on a mathematical problem are discussed in detail. You will also explore the value of scientific thinking and apply existing approaches and strategies (e.g. analytic vs numerical/experimental, different statistical tests, different heuristic algorithms) to problem-solving and decision-making.
3. Professional, ethical, and social responsibility
You will engage in critical discussions during meetings and consultations with your supervisor around professional, ethical and social responsibilities of scientists to address complex and topical issues. During this subject you will also develop and employ a range of skills relevant to professional contexts, including the ability to work independently, work collaboratively with fellow research students (e.g. in research group discussion) under the guidance of supervisor, academic integrity, preparation and organisation, project and time management.
4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity
In this subject you will develop advanced information retrieval and consolidation skills applied to the critical evaluation of the mathematical/statistical aspects of information gathered. This is further developed through completion of assessment task 1. Through well-developed self-reflection and independent learning strategies, you will apply critical thinking skills to create solutions for contemporary mathematical/statistical problems.
5. Communication
Development of communication skills, including reading of scientific texts and writing using scientific and academic language, is presented throughout this subject. You will learn how to write succinctly and accurately, information, reasoning and conclusions to diverse expert and non-expert audiences. Through completion of assessment tasks 1 and 2, you will develop the ability to convey complex problem statements and solutions to non-technical stakeholders, clearly and coherently.
Teaching and learning strategies
Your supervisor will inform you about consultation hours and the supervisor’s availability during the academic year. Your supervisor will not normally be available for advice during the six week period from mid-December until 1 February.
It is assumed that students commencing their Honours program in Autumn semester will begin work on their project immediately on enrolling in the Honours course (usually March). It is assumed that students commencing their Honours program in Spring semester will begin work on their project at the start of Spring semester (usually the first week of August).
You are expected to have regular contact with your supervisor and to maintain satisfactory progress. Your supervisor will provide regular feedback (written or verbal) on your work. Consultation sessions should be complemented by regular work.
Note: this subject (35000) should be undertaken in conjunction with 35001 Thesis (Mathematics) Honours Part B. Subject learning objective number 4 will be assessed in 35001.
Content (topics)
The content of the project will be determined by the supervisor in consultation with the student.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Literature review
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary Knowledge 3. Profesional, ethical and social responsibility 4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.2, 3.2 and 4.2 |
| Type: | Literature review |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Length: | 5-7 pages |
| Criteria: | Comprehensive survey of the area of the thesis topic. Professional quality document produced using LaTeX, with references using BibTeX obtained from appropriate sources (eg MathSciNet). Exception to the use of LaTeX may be considered if the standard in the field of the thesis topic is to use Word etc. |
Assessment task 2: Honours Thesis
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary Knowledge 2. Research, inquiry and critical thinking 3. Profesional, ethical and social responsibility 4. Reflection, Innovation, Creativity 5. Communication |
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| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.2, 1.3, 2.1, 2.2, 3.1, 4.3 and 5.3 |
| Type: | Thesis |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 90% |
| Length: | There is no prescribed word limit for an Honours thesis, although you are advised that a thesis should typically be around 70 pages, including references. |
| Criteria: | Your Honours examiners will each assign your thesis a mark out of 100. This mark will be the sum of the assessed marks for the following four criteria: Criterion One– Knowledge of Research Field (20 marks)
Except in cases when the examiners’ marks for your thesis differ by greater than 10/100, your mark for the thesis component will be the simple arithmetic mean of the examiners’ marks. For cases where the examiners differ by more than 10 in their assessed marks, your thesis mark will be determined by the procedures outlined in the Faculty of Science Honours Subject Information Booklet.
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Minimum requirements
In order to pass this subject you must get a final mark of at least 50.