PEC396/PEC596 Energy Studies Project - Overview

This unit is an independent research project unit and therefore has no lectures. However the unit does have the following essential components and due dates.

Good time management is essential for good quality research to be completed on time. Students must aim to have a completed draft of their project report to their supervisor at least three weeks before the due date. For those finishing in Semester 1, this is a completed draft to their supervisor by early May and for those finishing in Semester 2, a completed draft to their supervisor by early to mid October respectively. Given this time frame, data collection and analysis should occupy at maximum 6-8 weeks. Also, writing cannot be left to the end, it should be done concurrently with reviewing literature, data collection and analysis.

Details of each of the Unit's components follow:

(1) Project selection

Before, or as soon as possible after commencing Energy Studies Project, students must correspond with the Unit Coordinator about a suitable project and supervisor. Depending on their backgrounds and interests, students may do projects on the technical, economic, environmental or policy aspects of energy studies. Students are expected to choose a project that matches the interests of an academic staff member within the University or find an appropriate external associate supervisor. Choice of projects may be limited by logistical and financial constraints.

Normally projects are selected before the commencement of the first semester of enrolment in the Project, however, for a number of students this may not be possible if they have had other commitments. Given the short duration of the Energy Studies Project (usually 1 semester full-time) it is essential that students select a topic and supervisor, and submit a research proposal form by the end of Week 3 of the first semester they enrol in PEC396/PEC596.

(2) Research proposal and plan preparation

A research proposal and plan must be prepared by each student for their proposed project research and submitted on the form enclosed in the study guide or available electronically from the unit website. The student in close consultation prepares the research plan with their supervisor and with advice from the Unit Coordinator.

The research plan and proposal is intended to guide the research. Parts of it will change and students should not feel bound by small details that they realise are unworkable as their research proceeds. Major changes in direction, such as new research questions, changes in research design and budget changes, should be discussed by the student and supervisor/s and if necessary the Unit Coordinator.

The research proposal and plan form, signed by the student and supervisor/s, must be sent to the Unit Coordinator by the end of Week 3 of the first semester in which the student first enrols in the Energy Studies Project.

(3) Seminar presentation

Students who can come to Murdoch University Campus are required, toward the end of the unit, to present a seminar on their research including an overview of their findings and recommendations. The tentative seminar dates are given in the table above. Each student has 15 minutes to present their seminar, followed by 5 minutes for questions. Seminars are widely advertised throughout the University.

Students who are unable to come to the campus to present their research findings will be required to prepare a 15 minute Powerpoint or Word (slides) presentation on their project. This must be submitted to the Unit Coordinator by the time scheduled for the oral presentations.

The student's supervisor/s and the Unit Coordinator will assess each student on their seminar presentation (oral or slides) using the marking guide.

Some advice on Making an Oral Presentation should be read.

(4) Project submission for examination

Students must submit a copy of their project report to the Unit Coordinator by the the Wednesday following Week 14 of their final semester in the unit.

HTML last modified: October 22, 2008