Students
PHYS7911 – Physics and Astronomy Advanced Lab
2021 – Session 2, Weekday attendance, North Ryde
Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update
The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.
This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.
Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.
Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Convener
Richard de Grijs
Contact via 0298508317
E6B 2.610
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit will provide students with a bespoke research-based learning path in physics and/or astronomy, tailored to the students' individual development needs. Students will complete a short research project within an active research group, mentored by unit staff as well as by research leaders. Students will write a formal report on their project, including reviewing relevant background literature and supporting theory. |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: apply advanced research skills in an authentic context.
- ULO2: use sophisticated instrumentation and/or software tools effectively.
- ULO3: identify and articulate how a research project fits within the context of, and contributes to, a wider field of research.
- ULO4: demonstrate an understanding of concepts and theory that underpin advanced devices and/or techniques.
- ULO5: analyse, interpret and present new research results correctly and coherently, in accordance with discipline standards.
General Assessment Information
Students will be assessed on a final written report consisting of four sections:
- Literature review (25%)
- Introduction and theory (25%)
- Methods, results and analysis (40%)
- Conclusions and outlook (10%)
The report is expected to be no longer than 20 pages in length.
Students will hand in a draft of each section of the report at different stages throughout the semester, and receive detailed feedback.
Draft sections of the written report are due in Week 4 (Literature review), Week 6 (Introduction and theory), Week 9 (Methods, results, analysis) and Week 10 (Conclusions, outlook, future work). Detailed feedback and guidance on each section will be provided by the unit convenor / supervisor in the following week.
Final report due in Week 13.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project report | 50% | No | 05/11/2021 |
| Project background report | 50% | No | 05/11/2021 |
Project report
Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 21 hours
Due: 05/11/2021
Weighting: 50%
Formal report documenting their project work, including, data generated, analysis, and outcomes.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- apply advanced research skills in an authentic context.
- use sophisticated instrumentation and/or software tools effectively.
- demonstrate an understanding of concepts and theory that underpin advanced devices and/or techniques.
- analyse, interpret and present new research results correctly and coherently, in accordance with discipline standards.
Project background report
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 14 hours
Due: 05/11/2021
Weighting: 50%
Formal report documenting relevant background literature and supporting theory for the student project.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- identify and articulate how a research project fits within the context of, and contributes to, a wider field of research.
- demonstrate an understanding of concepts and theory that underpin advanced devices and/or techniques.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
This unit focusses on learning advanced concepts and acquiring important generic and technical research skills in physics within the context of a research project. Delivery of the unit is therefore primarily through supervised laboratory experiments and independent reading, with weekly meetings for discussion, feedback and guidance with the unit convenor, and additional consultation as required. Laboratory projects are placed within an active research group in the department, and students will work closely in the lab with senior PhD students, postdocs and/or academics from that research group.
Laboratory projects will consist of fifteen days in the laboratory spread over the semester, e.g. a day per week for ten weeks with a one-week block during semester break. Timetabling of laboratory days will be arranged between the student and the supervising research group.
Students will be provided with relevant reading material including scientific papers and text book chapters, and will also conduct literature searches to supplement their reading.
Regular meetings with the unit convenor for progress updates, discussion of reading materials, theory, etc., will be arranged between the student and the unit convenor.
Classes
15 days of laboratory experiments, spread over the semester and arranged for mutually-agreeable days between students and laboratory supervisors.
Weekly meetings with unit convenor / supervisor for discussion of project progress, theory, research context, experimental aspects, etc., starting from week 2.
Required and Recommended Texts and/or Materials
Research papers, textbook chapters, or other reading material as advised by unit convenor and laboratory supervisors.
Part of the unit will involve online searching and accessing of current literature.
Unit Schedule
The unit will begin in week 2 with an introduction to the unit and the research projects available. By the end of week 2 students will be allocated to research projects, be introduced to laboratory supervisors, and be given initial reading material. Weekly research days (totalling 15) will be organised between the students and the supervising researchers, to be one day per week for most of the semester with a larger block timetabled for in or around the mid-semester break. Weekly individual meetings with the unit convenor will be arranged to start in week 3. Additional classes may be arranged where necessary to cover common topics or questions.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Unit information based on version 2021.03 of the Handbook