Course Title: Masters Minor Thesis

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Masters Minor Thesis

Credit Points: 24.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

HUSO2350

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2017,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 2 2019

HUSO2350

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Internet

Sem 1 2018,
Sem 2 2018

Flexible Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

HUSO2350

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

PGRDFx2020 (FF)

HUSO2350

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

PGRDFlex21 (FF)

HUSO2350

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face

PGRDFlex22 (All)

HUSO2350

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Face-to-Face or Internet

PGRDFlex23 (All)

HUSO2350

City Campus

Postgraduate

365H Global, Urban and Social Studies

Internet

PGRDFlex24 (All)

Course Coordinator: Dr Paul Scriven

Course Coordinator Phone: please email

Course Coordinator Email: paul.scriven@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Availability: by appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

To be eligible to commence this course you should have successfully completed, or be enrolled concurrently in, the course HUSO2079 Research Strategies (or equivalent).

Note: To enrol in this course you must obtain approval from the Course Coordinator and your Program Manager. Approval for entry to the course will be determined by the following criteria:

  • The merit and scope of the research idea as assessed through a written research proposal;
  • The availability of supervisory arrangements for your research project;
  • A record of academic achievement in your program with a GPA of 3.0 or higher (or equivalent).

It is a condition of enrolment at RMIT that you accept responsibility for ensuring that you have completed the prerequisite/s and agree to concurrently enrol in co-requisite courses before enrolling in a course. For your information the RMIT Course Requisites policy can be found at: http://www.rmit.edu.au/browse;ID=twx09y07zi1c


Course Description

To enrol in this course you must obtain approval from the Course Coordinator and your Program Manager.

The minor thesis is an opportunity for you to further develop your academic research skills through the undertaking of a small, independent research project under supervision. It is designed to extend the research capability developed in your final year Masters capstone project. The minor thesis is recommended for those students considering a research career or a Higher Degree by Research.

Your chosen thesis topic will need to be approved by the Course Coordinator and your Program Manager. You should discuss your research question and proposed research design with them in preparation for enrolling in this course.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

In this course you will develop the following program learning outcomes:

  • Analyse critically, reflect on and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories
  • Research and apply established theories to a body of knowledge or practice
  • Interpret and transmit knowledge and ideas to an academic audience


Upon successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

  • Plan and design an independent research project
  • Write a scholarly literature review
  • Apply appropriate research approaches and methods
  • Present a research project, explaining how the findings contribute to scholarship and/or professional practice
      


Overview of Learning Activities

As part of the research process, you will come to terms with the major existing literature on the subject, investigate new sources, gather, create and / or analyse relevant data, sustain an interpretative discussion, and present the argument in a logical and coherent form. Through this process, you will gain experience in discovery, critical analysis, problem-solving and interpretation.

The supervision process is critical to the success of this course. Your supervisor is your personal adviser and critic. They should assist you in locating relevant sources, people, sites and organisations, recommend appropriate methodological and theoretical readings, advise about the organisation and structure of the argument, help you refine your topic if necessary, and read and criticise your manuscript. Your supervisor should give you assistance and support, as well as presenting you with a continual intellectual challenge. For this reason, you should be in regular weekly contact with your supervisor.

While your supervisor is your primary adviser, you should still feel free to consult with others in the School who may be able to help you with your work. It is only common courtesy, however, to inform your supervisor about this. You should call on the Course Coordinator to resolve any conflicts or other problems arising from your work in this course.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through our online systems. This course is based on independent research under the supervision of an appropriate academic staff member.

The University Library has extensive resources for research students. The Library has produced a number of subject guides that includes quality online and print resources for your studies in this course: go to http://rmit.libguides.com/researchmethods.


Overview of Assessment

You will be assessed on how well you meet the course’s learning outcomes and on your development against the program learning outcomes.

Assessment is based on preparation of the thesis, which should be around 12,000-14,000 words. The thesis will be prepared in stages for review by your supervisor. The thesis is marked by two examiners neither of whom is your supervisor.

If you have a long term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equity Learning Services if you would like to find out more.

Your course assessment conforms to RMIT assessment principles, regulations, policies, procedures and instructions which are available for review online: https://www.rmit.edu.au/about/governance-and-management/governance/policies/assessment-policy