MSCI5102: Semester 2, 2020

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Units MSCI5102 Semester 2 2020 [Normal day]

Unit of study_

MSCI5102: Mathematical Sciences Project B

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Independent research can be a life changing experience. In this unit you will complete a research project in a discipline of the Mathematical Sciences, such as Pure Mathematics, Applied Mathematics, Statistics, Data Science, or Financial Mathematics and Statistics. Together with your supervisor, you will identify a suitable research problem and develop a strategy to address it. This may include synthesizing and generalising results from the mathematical literature, generating new examples, proving new theorems, writing and applying new mathematical models or devising new statistical tests. Working on a research project will also provide broader opportunities such as being part of a research group, interacting with both your peers and discipIine experts, attending research seminars and workshops. Students in some disciplines, such as Applied Mathematics and Statistics, may also have the opportunity to interact with interdisciplinary teams as part of their research project. You will communicate the research plan and findings via an oral presentation and a 40 to 60 page thesis. Successful completion of your Master of Mathematical Sciences degree will clearly demonstrate that you have mastered significant research and professional skills for either undertaking a PhD or any variety of future careers.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	MSCI5102
Academic unit	Mathematics and Statistics Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	MSCI5101
Assumed knowledge ?	A major in mathematics, statistics, data science, or financial mathematics and statistics, with a WAM of 65 or equivalent.
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Oded Yacobi, oded.yacobi@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Presentation	Presentation Presentation on thesis content.	10%	Ongoing	20 minutes (+5 minutes for questions).
Outcomes assessed:
Dissertation	Thesis Thesis of 40 to 60 pages produced using LaTeX or similar.	90%	Week 12	40-60 pages of written work.
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Thesis of 40 to 60 words produced using LaTeX or similar mathematical software in 12 point font.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Representing complete or close to complete mastery of the material.
Distinction	75 - 84	Representing excellence, but substantially less than complete mastery.
Credit	65 - 74	Representing a creditable performance that goes beyond routine knowledge and understanding, but less than excellence.
Pass	50 - 64	Representing at least routine knowledge and understanding over a spectrum of topics and important ideas and concepts in the course.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity	Learning outcomes
Weekly	Individual work supported by the supervisor	Independent study (12 hr)

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Source, collate, synthesise and critically evaluate information from a range of relevant sources and identify knowledge gaps for investigation.
LO2. Develop a research question with creativity, lateral thinking and critical reflection.
LO3. Use appropriate mathematical or statistical research principles and methodologies to investigate a research question.
LO4. Communicate research methodologies, findings and applications in written and oral form forna specialist audience.
LO5. Produce independent research which is an original contribution to the discipline.
LO6. Identify, manage and respond to challenges in research direction, and develop resilience, creativity and intellectual vigour.
LO7. Act with integrity in their research practice and professional relationships, working within established ethical and regulatory frameworks
LO8. Establish collaborative and professional rapport with other students and staff.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Additional information

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

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