Division of Science and Engineering
Divisional Office
School of Engineering Science
Criteria for Honours Thesis Examination
HONOURS PROGRAMMES
The Honours year is an optional fourth year of study in which well-qualified graduates can undertake advanced studies and a research project. The latter is intended to provide an introduction to research methods and students are required to submit a report on their work in the form of a thesis.
FINAL AWARD
A class of Honours will be recommended to the Chair of the Honours Sub-Committee by the relevant Discipline Honours Academic Coordinator. The recommendation will take into account results in all components of the Honours Course, and for all Honours Courses except Chemistry, these will count in proportion to their individual points value: The Honours grade in Chemistry is determined by the marks of the thesis (25%) and review (12.5%), the supervisor=s assessment (20%), oral exam (10%), coursework (12.5%) and overall performance (20%) as formally determined by the Chemistry staff. Students are expected to perform satisfactorily in all components of the assessment.
The various classes of Honours are awarded as follows:
Honours First Class / indicates an outstanding level of achievement in both coursework and research / 100 - 80%Honours Second Class,
Division A / indicates a high level of achievement overall and evidence of considerable research ability / 79 - 70%
Honours Second Class,
Division B / indicates a good overall performance in coursework and research / 69 - 55%
Honours Third Class / indicates a satisfactory overall effort but serious inadequacies in one or both areas / 54 - 45%
Fail / indicates unsatisfactory performance with serious inadequacies in both areas / 44 - 0%
Honours students in the School graduate with the Degree of Bachelor of Science with Honours.
STRUCTURE
The Honours Programme consists of 24 credit points, made up of a research project and advanced courses. The actual components vary according to the discipline areas. Within these areas there is still some scope for variation (mainly in the points value of the research project), but the usual structures are:
Programme / Component / Points ValuePhysics / Research Project
Advanced Units / 16
8
Energy Studies / Research Project
Advanced Units / 16
8
Chemistry / Research Project
Review Topic
Advanced Units / 16
4
4
Mathematics / Research Project
Advanced Units / 8
16
Mineral Science (Extractive Metallurgy) / Research Project
Review Topic
Advanced Unit / 16
4
4
These weightings should be taken into account when assessing the amount of work done by the student on the research project. Please bear in mind that a full-time student load for the honours year is 24 points.
ASSESSMENT GUIDELINES
The various disciplines may choose to adopt different assessment procedures to suit their needs. The following are of general application. We would appreciate detailed written comments on this major component. The attached forms are provided for your convenience. The marking sheet and your comments will be passed on to the student. If you prefer part of the report to remain confidential, this should be clearly indicated, though this may not be possible under the Freedom of Information Act.
1.SUBJECT CONTENT
(a)Adequacy of the candidate's conceptual understanding of the subject.
(b)Thorough, discriminatory and critical review of previous research.
(c)Clear statement on why the research was undertaken.
2.COMPETENCE IN RESEARCH
(a)Level of intellectual rigour in pursuing the project.
(b)Expertise in the design and coordination of experiments or observations or analysis
(c)Execution of the project and critical analysis of results.
(d)Quality of conclusions and suggestions for further work
3.PRESENTATION AND QUALITY OF MANUSCRIPT
(a)Organisation of the thesis including presentation of results.
(b)Layout of the thesis.
(c)Clarity and style.
(d)Referencing.
4.EDITORIAL CHANGES TO THESIS
What minor alterations should be made to the thesis before binding? Minor errors such as spelling mistakes can be marked in pencil on the thesis. More extensive comments can be made in the appropriate comments section on editorial changes to the thesis.
5.CRITERIA FOR HONOURS ASSESSMENT
We would be most grateful for a recommendation on the class of Honours that would appear to be appropriate on the basis of the content, research competence and overall presentation of the thesis.
It would also be helpful if you could indicate where the thesis is located within an Honours Class. (For example, 2A: high, or low.
Division of Science and Engineering
Divisional Office
HONOURS THESIS REPORT
CANDIDATE:
EXAMINER:
1.SUBJECT CONTENT
WRITTEN COMMENTS:
2. COMPETENCE IN RESEARCH
WRITTEN COMMENTS:
Division of Science and Engineering
Divisional Office
HONOURS THESIS REPORT
CANDIDATE:
EXAMINER:
3.PRESENTATION AND QUALITY OF MANUSCRIPT
WRITTEN COMMENTS:
4.EDITORIAL CHANGES TO THESIS:
What minor changes should be made to thesis before binding?
Division of Science and Engineering
Divisional Office
HONOURS THESIS REPORT
CANDIDATE:
EXAMINER:
CONFIDENTIAL
Please fill in boxes in conjunction with comments you have made on the previous pages.
1.SUBJECT CONTENT
Exceptional / Very Good / Good / Average / Very Poor(a)Adequacy of the candidate's conceptual understanding of the subject
(b)Thorough, discriminatory and critical review of previous research
(c)Clear statement on why the research was undertaken
2.COMPETENCE IN RESEARCH
Exceptional / Very Good / Good / Average / Very Poor(a)Level of intellectual rigour in pursuing the project
(b)Expertise in design and coordination of experiments/observations
(c)Execution of the project and critical analysis of the results
(d)Interpretation and discussion of results
(e)Quality of conclusions and suggestions for further work
3.PRESENTATION AND QUALITY OF MANUSCRIPT
Exceptional / Very Good / Good / Average / Very Poor(a)Organisation of the thesis including presentation of results
(b)Layout of thesis
(c)Clarity of style
(d)Referencing
Division of Science and Engineering
Divisional Office
HONOURS THESIS REPORT
CANDIDATE:
EXAMINER:
CONFIDENTIAL
I have read this thesis and recommend that the following percentage and grade be awarded:
PERCENTAGE: ______
GRADE: (Circle one and indicate where thesis is located within honour class)
High Distinction / Distinction / Credit / Pass / FailHD / D / C / P / N
HI / HIIA / HIIB / HIII / FAIL
ASSESSMENT: 100% - 80% = High Distinction (HD)
79% - 70% Distinction (D)
69% - 60% (Credit (C)
59% - 50% Pass (P)
EXAMINER'S SIGNATURE: ______
DATE: ______
If you have further comments which will be useful to the Honours Sub-Committee,
please attach them to this document.