DEFSCI 7016B - Master of Sciences (Defence) Research Project Pt B

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2016

The course information on this page is being finalised for 2016. Please check again before classes commence.

A supervised research project in a topic agreed between the University and DSTO and jointly supervised by these bodies. ELEC ENG 7016B must follow on from ELEC ENG 7016A. The two-semester masters project aims to give DSTO students experience in solving advanced research and engineering tasks and the opportunity to apply the knowledge gained during the course to defence related problems. Students are expected to submit a minor thesis on their agreed topic on completion of the companion course ELEC ENG 7016B.

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Course Details

Course Code	DEFSCI 7016B
Course	Master of Sciences (Defence) Research Project Pt B
Coordinating Unit	School of Electrical & Electronic Engineering
Term	Semester 1
Level	Postgraduate Coursework
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	12
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Prerequisites	ELEC ENG 7016A in preceding semester
Assessment	Thesis

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Hong Gunn Chew

Course Co-ordinator (DEFSCI SIP only): Dr. Danny Gibbins
Email: danny.gibbins@adelaide.edu.au
Office: Ingkarni Wardli 2.24
Phone: 8313 3162

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

A brief schedule of important events is shown in the table below.

Semester A [7016A]
2 weeks prior to O-week: contact coordinator to request allocation of academic supervisor
Weeks 1-5 - regular supervisor meetings
Week 6 - submit short research proposal
Weeks 7-12 - regular supervisor meetings

Semester B [7016B]
Weeks 1-12 - regular supervisor meetings
Week 13 - submission of minor thesis document

Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes

1. deepen their knowledge and understanding of at least one field of research
2. further enhance their research skills through investigation of open-ended problems, devising solutions and developing and testing of hypotheses as necessary
3. develop practical research skills through analysis, coding and/or construction and testing
4. Enhance their research project management skills (including planning, risk management, time management, delegation, and development of test plans)
5. develop both verbal and written communication skills in an andvanced research area.

University Graduate Attributes

No information currently available.
Learning Resources

Required Resources

All students are expected to obtain their own materials as part of their directed research studies. Additional support and/or materials may be provided by DSTO (or the academic supervisor) at their discretion.

Recommended Resources

None.

Online Learning

None.
Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

This course is a directed research project. Individual students will undertake a research project under the guidance of an academic supervisor (with co-supervision and/or external technical support as appropriate). Students are expected to meet regularly with their supervisors.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

The DEFSCI research project represents a substantial body of directed research work by the student equivalent to some 600 hours per semester. Approximately 12 hours of this time (per semester) will comprise of student/supervisor research meetings with the remaining time taken up with other research activities such as literature search, development of the thesis work, and minor thesis writing.

Learning Activities Summary

Specific learning activities will vary from research project to research project.The key activities are:

1. Regular technical meetings with the academic supervisor. [7016A/B]
2. Development of a research proposal (week 6, Semester A) [7016A]
3. Submission of a minor thesis (week 13, Semester B) [7016B]

Specific Course Requirements

None

Small Group Discovery Experience

Not applicable. Projects are conducted by individual students.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

The specific assessment criteria may vary slightly from department to department. Please speak to the individual course coordinator in the relevant department for details.

The following is a recommended guideline for 7016A and 7016B:

Activity	Type	Weight	Due
Research Proposal	Summative	5%	Mid Semester A (7016A)
Minor Thesis	Summative	80%	End Semester B (7016B)
Overall research progress and meetings	Summative	15%	End Semester B (7016B)

Assessment Related Requirements

Each student must attend regular meetings with their academic supervisor wherever practical.

Assessment Detail

The assessment will be based on the three components outlines in the above table. The research proposal and minor thesis are descrined in more detail below.

Research Proposal [5%]

The report is a short summary (approx 8-15 pages long) of your proposed research topic and workplan for the two semesters. It should include:

1. A descritpion of the research topic
2. A brief literature review
3. A description of the research to be conducted.
4. A work-plan for the proposed research including timelines.

Minor Thesis [80%]

The final deliverable is a detailed summary of the research work condicted as part of your project studies approximately 40-70 pages long. The minor thesis should be an ordered, critical and reasoned exposition of knowledge gained through the student’s efforts and include evidence of awareness of the literature.It should include:

1. A descritpion of the research topic
2. A literature review
3. Detailed descriptions of the experiments and/or theoretical work conducted.
4. A presentation of the research projects results and conclusions (inlcuding reasoning).
5. A detailed set of supporting references.

Overall Progress [15%]

The overall asssessment of the student is based on the academic supervisors interactions with the student at their regular meetings and other modes of oral and written communication.By the end of the research project the student should be able to demonstrate:

1. A clear in-depth understanding of the project and the supporting literature
2. An ability to perform research oriented tasks including conducting experiments and analysing results (with guidance as required)
3. The ability to critically review and analyse their work and the work of others in a research environment.
4. The ability to communicate their work to others including the supervisor in a clear and concise manner in both oral and written forms.
5. Research project managment skills.

Submission

Both the project proposal and minor thesis should be submitted in both hardcopy and pdf to their assigned supervisor(s). Requests for extension must be lodged prior to any submission dates with both the course coodinator and the supervisor. Any request must have the support of both the supervisor and, the defence industry line-supervisor of the student.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator