The University of Adelaide
Course Outlines

PHYSICS 7580A - Research Project in Medical Radiation Physics Part A

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2024

Students will undertake a research project under the supervision of an academic in the Department of Physics that will provide advanced knowledge and skills for professional or highly skilled work and/or further learning in the area of medical physics. The intention is that students will collect and present novel scientific data of a quality that could be published in the open literature however, students will not be penalised if their research project does not produce conclusive results.

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  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PHYSICS 7580A
    Course Research Project in Medical Radiation Physics Part A
    Coordinating Unit Physics
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Contact By supervision
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites PHYSICS 7028 and (PHYSICS 7549 or PHYSICS 7550)
    Restrictions Available only to students in the relevant Master's program
    Assessment Report (thesis) and seminar
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Mr Jake Forster

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1. Apply the concepts and theories of a range of advanced topics in physics to research in medical physics;
    2. Demonstrate an understanding of the close relationship between scientific research and the development of new knowledge in a global context;
    3. Demonstrate that current scientific knowledge is both contestable and testable by further enquiry;
    4. Analyse critically, evaluate and transform research findings to complete a range of activities;
    5. Present information, articulate arguments and conclusions, in a variety of modes, to audiences in their field of research;
    6. Undertake independent supervised research and demonstrate autonomy, well-developed judgement, adaptability and responsibility as a practitioner or learner;
    7. Demonstrate and articulate personal attributes in preparation for employment;
    8. Comply with regulatory frameworks (including HSW) and practising professional ethics relevant to medical physics.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)

    Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth

    Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.

    		 1,2,4

    Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving

    Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.

    		 1,3,4,6

    Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills

    Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.

    		 5,6

    Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness

    Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.

    		 6-8

    Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency

    Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.

    		 2,8

    Attribute 6: Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultural competency

    Graduates have an understanding of, and respect for, Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander values, culture and knowledge.

    		 8

    Attribute 7: Digital capabilities

    Graduates are well prepared for living, learning and working in a digital society.

    		 6

    Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence

    Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.

    		 6,7
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Regular meetings with research supervisor(s).
    Workload

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

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

    A student enrolled in a 3 unit course should expect to spend on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both formal contact time (e.g. meetings) and non-contact time (e.g. reading literature, conducting research, report writing).
    Learning Activities Summary
    Research skills are being taught through a supervised project.
  • Assessment

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

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

    Assessment Summary
    • Research proposal: 10%
    • Thesis: 70%
    • Seminar: 20%
    Assessment Detail
    The research project component consists of 12 units offered over 2 semesters.  PHYSICS 7580A is 3 units and PHYSICS 7580B is 9 units.  Note that PHYSICS 7580B is only offered in semester 2.  Assessment will be completed after PHYSICS 7580B.  The grade for PHYSICS 7580A will be recorded as RP.

    In PHYSICS 7580A, the student will choose a research topic, conduct a literature review, and write a proposal for a research project.  In PHYSICS 7580B, the student will carry out the research project, write a thesis, and present their work in a seminar.

    Research proposal
    The student writes a research proposal, which includes a literature review, identifying research questions, a statement of project aims, an outline of the methodology to be used, and expected outcomes and their significance.  The research proposal is due at the end of PHYSICS 7580A.

    Thesis
    The student writes a thesis on the research they performed.

    Seminar
    After submission of the thesis, the student presents their research project in a seminar (oral presentation).
    Submission
    Submission of Assigned Work
    Work should be submitted via email to the Course Coordinator.

    Extensions for Assessment Tasks
    Extensions of deadlines for assessment tasks may be allowed for reasonable causes. Such situations would include compassionate and medical grounds of the severity that would justify the awarding of a replacement examination. Evidence for the grounds must be provided when an extension is requested. Students are required to apply for an extension to the Course Coordinator before the assessment task is due. Extensions will not be provided on the grounds of poor prioritising of time.

    Late Submission of Assessments
    If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days or more late without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the mark.
    Course Grading

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

    NOG (No Grade Associated)
    Grade Description
    CN Continuing

    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.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
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