A research project in any area of astrophysics. This course can be taken in second year or later, and can be taken (for credit) multiple times if desired.
This is an Honours Pathway Course. Entry is by invitation only. Students typically need a >70% average in cognate disciplines (ASTR, MATH, PHYS) in order to be considered for a project. The convener provides a list of potential research projects. Students need to find a researcher who is prepared to supervise a project.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- plan and engage in an independent and sustained critical investigation and evaluation of a chosen research topic in the context of astronomy and astrophysics;
- systematically identify relevant theory and concepts, relate these to appropriate methodologies and evidence, and draw appropriate conclusions;
- engage in systematic discovery and critical review of appropriate and relevant information sources;
- appropriately apply statistical or other evaluation processes to original data;
- communicate research concepts and contexts clearly and effectively both in writing and orally.
Work Integrated Learning
Projects
Students may engage with WIL partners (internal/external) as a component of the course.
Other Information
This course can be taken in second year or later, and can be taken (for credit) multiple times if desired.
Students must contact the convener to ask for a copy of the course guide document, ideally at least several weeks before semester begins. You will also need to
i) Find an academic astronomer or astrophysicist who is prepared and available to supervise a research project. A list with potential projects is provided by the convener.
ii) Agree on a project with a supervisor and write a description of the project in their own words. Email this description to the potential supervisor and make sure they are happy with it.
iii) Send the supervisor-approved description to the course convener.
Indicative Assessment
- Project Plan and Literature Review (25) [LO 1,2,3,5]
- Oral Presentation (15) [LO 2,3,5]
- Final Report (hurdle) (60) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
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Workload
Approximately 130 hours (per 6 units of enrolment) of total student learning time made up of independent student research, reading and writing. Students are expected to maintain regular contact with their supervisor and attend all supervisory meetings.
Students are expected to invest around 130 hours of work on the project, ie. approx. 10 hours per week for the whole of semester.
Inherent Requirements
No specific inherent requirements have been identified for this course.
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the Research School of Astronomy and Astrophysics to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
Not Required
Assumed Knowledge
Students typically need a >70% average in cognate disciplines (ASTR, MATH, PHYS) in order to be considered for the course.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $4680 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2025 | $6720 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Summer Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1326 | 01 Jan 2025 | 24 Jan 2025 | 24 Jan 2025 | 31 Mar 2025 | In Person | View |
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2648 | 17 Feb 2025 | 24 Feb 2025 | 31 Mar 2025 | 23 May 2025 | In Person | N/A |
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7627 | 21 Jul 2025 | 28 Jul 2025 | 31 Aug 2025 | 24 Oct 2025 | In Person | N/A |