MXH404-1 Honours Research Project 1
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | MXH404-1 |
|---|---|
| Corequisite(s): | MXH400 |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $592 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $3,816 |
| International unit fee | $4,872 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | MXH404-1 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Co-requisite: | MXH400 |
Overview
This unit forms part of the 48 credit point MXH404 Honours Research Project unit, which represents the capstone unit for the Bachelor of Mathematics (Honours) degree. The suite of MXH404 units draws together the knowledge and skills you have acquired from MXH400 Mathematical Research Training and your chosen advanced coursework units to design, plan and execute a mathematical research project under the guidance of an academic supervisor. This unit will develop your skills in mathematical research, problem solving, critical thinking, written and oral communication, and project management preparing you for a career in industry or for further Higher Degree Research studies. You will complete and submit your research project at the end of MXH404-4 by preparing a thesis and delivering a seminar to a mathematically-diverse audience.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Apply, analyse and adapt advanced knowledge and skills in mathematical and/or statistical approaches as required by the research project
- Employ your knowledge of research methods and project management practices to design, plan and execute a substantial research project independently and collaboratively
- Employ logical and sound judgement to solve complex problems and critically analyse mathematical and/or statistical results and information
- Communicate and justify your research effectively to a range of audiences including mathematicians, industry professionals and the general public
Content
The project is an integrated research exercise wherein you will execute independent research and document it by means of a written thesis in a style appropriate to the academic and professional practice of the mathematical sciences. You will also be provided with the opportunity to present your research in the form of a seminar to a mathematically-diverse audience. This audience will consist typically of staff and students from the School of Mathematical Sciences, interested staff from other QUT Schools and Faculties and any industry partners involved with the project work.
Entrepreneurial thinking is tacitly embedded in your project, where you will invariably encounter many smaller problems that require you to think on your feet, seek help, apply newly acquired skills and use ingenuity. Your project may also require some interdisciplinary engagement with other scientific, engineering or information technology disciplines.
Specific content of this unit may include, according to the project topic:
- Research design and methodology
- Project planning and management
- Application and adaption of advanced knowledge/skills in mathematical concepts and techniques
- Critical analysis, problem solving and synthesis of your research with the relevant literature
- Writing, editing and presenting your research in written and oral forms
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you are required to undertake independent research in consultation with an academic supervisor. Your supervisor will discuss with you the most appropriate strategies and milestones to be achieved throughout the length of the project based on your research topic.
There are no scheduled classes for this unit. Instead, you are expected to maintain regular contact with your supervisor and are encouraged to manage your own learning to plan for and meet interim milestones to successfully complete your piece of independent research.
Although you are completing an individual research project, you are encouraged to connect with your peers and the broader research community within the School of Mathematical Sciences to support your research and develop professional networks.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will receive ongoing feedback on your work. Feedback, both structured and unstructured, will be delivered in both formative and summative ways. The types of feedback will include peer-to-peer learning and feedback from your project supervisor. Feedback will be provided in both oral and written formats. Feedback from your examiners will also given during the thesis and presentation assessments.
Assessment
Overview
You will submit your research project by delivering a thesis and a seminar.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale and S (Satisfactory) / U (Unsatisfactory)
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Thesis
You will submit a thesis that introduces your research problem, outlines the mathematical methodology that you have applied or developed to address your research problem, critically analyses results, summarises the main findings of your project and discusses future work. This authentic assessment will simulate the types of technical reports mathematicians deliver in research and industry. Your thesis will be graded by two examiners who are independent of the supervisory process.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Seminar
You will present key aspects of your thesis in the form of an oral seminar. Your seminar will be presented to a mathematically-diverse audience and will include appropriate visual aids. You will be given the opportunity to answer questions and engage in discussion about your research project, respond to possible critiques of your work, reflect on challenges encountered and/or overcome during your project and share potential future directions of your work. This authentic assessment will replicate the style of presentations mathematicians deliver in research and industry. Your presentation will be graded by two examiners who are independent of the supervisory process.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
There is no prescribed text for this unit. You will be directed to a range of resource materials by your project supervisor.
Risk Assessment Statement
If you undertake a project, either individually or in a group, you may in conjunction with your QUT project supervisor, be required to complete and submit a Risk Assessment of your project activities in the Faculty of Science Health and Safety (HSE) hub. For further information go to Health, safety and environment for research students - QUT Students
Additionally, if you undertake an industry project, either individually or in a group, you must ensure that the QUT project partner agreement is completed, respect confidentiality, be aware of any intellectual property requirements for the project and comply with workplace health and safety requirements, (either at QUT or at worksite). For further information please refer to the Work Integrated Learning - QUT Students webpage.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.MS10 Bachelor of Mathematics (Honours)
- Demonstrate and apply advanced knowledge and skills in mathematical sciences to critically analyse and solve complex problems within the discipline or in cross-disciplinary fields where mathematics underpins innovation
Relates to: Thesis - Apply advanced knowledge, skills, digital tools including AI, and research principles of the mathematical sciences to plan and execute a substantial independent research project that systematically addresses theoretical or applied problems in disciplinary or industry contexts
Relates to: Thesis - Communicate complex concepts, methods and findings in the mathematical sciences clearly and effectively to a range of audiences including mathematicians, industry professionals and the general public, using a range of academic, professional, and technical formats
Relates to: Thesis, Seminar - Demonstrate autonomy, accountability, ethical scholarship, and effective collaboration for research and continuous learning, consistent with professional practice in the mathematical sciences
Relates to: Thesis, Seminar
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | MXH404-1 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Co-requisite: | MXH400 |
Overview
This unit forms part of the 48 credit point MXH404 Honours Research Project unit, which represents the capstone unit for the Bachelor of Mathematics (Honours) degree. The suite of MXH404 units draws together the knowledge and skills you have acquired from MXH400 Mathematical Research Training and your chosen advanced coursework units to design, plan and execute a mathematical research project under the guidance of an academic supervisor. This unit will develop your skills in mathematical research, problem solving, critical thinking, written and oral communication, and project management preparing you for a career in industry or for further Higher Degree Research studies. You will complete and submit your research project at the end of MXH404-4 by preparing a thesis and delivering a seminar to a mathematically-diverse audience.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Apply, analyse and adapt advanced knowledge and skills in mathematical and/or statistical approaches as required by the research project
- Employ your knowledge of research methods and project management practices to design, plan and execute a substantial research project independently and collaboratively
- Employ logical and sound judgement to solve complex problems and critically analyse mathematical and/or statistical results and information
- Communicate and justify your research effectively to a range of audiences including mathematicians, industry professionals and the general public
Content
The project is an integrated research exercise wherein you will execute independent research and document it by means of a written thesis in a style appropriate to the academic and professional practice of the mathematical sciences. You will also be provided with the opportunity to present your research in the form of a seminar to a mathematically-diverse audience. This audience will consist typically of staff and students from the School of Mathematical Sciences, interested staff from other QUT Schools and Faculties and any industry partners involved with the project work.
Entrepreneurial thinking is tacitly embedded in your project, where you will invariably encounter many smaller problems that require you to think on your feet, seek help, apply newly acquired skills and use ingenuity. Your project may also require some interdisciplinary engagement with other scientific, engineering or information technology disciplines.
Specific content of this unit may include, according to the project topic:
- Research design and methodology
- Project planning and management
- Application and adaption of advanced knowledge/skills in mathematical concepts and techniques
- Critical analysis, problem solving and synthesis of your research with the relevant literature
- Writing, editing and presenting your research in written and oral forms
Learning Approaches
In this unit, you are required to undertake independent research in consultation with an academic supervisor. Your supervisor will discuss with you the most appropriate strategies and milestones to be achieved throughout the length of the project based on your research topic.
There are no scheduled classes for this unit. Instead, you are expected to maintain regular contact with your supervisor and are encouraged to manage your own learning to plan for and meet interim milestones to successfully complete your piece of independent research.
Although you are completing an individual research project, you are encouraged to connect with your peers and the broader research community within the School of Mathematical Sciences to support your research and develop professional networks.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will receive ongoing feedback on your work. Feedback, both structured and unstructured, will be delivered in both formative and summative ways. The types of feedback will include peer-to-peer learning and feedback from your project supervisor. Feedback will be provided in both oral and written formats. Feedback from your examiners will also given during the thesis and presentation assessments.
Assessment
Overview
You will submit your research project by delivering a thesis and a seminar.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale and S (Satisfactory) / U (Unsatisfactory)
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Thesis
You will submit a thesis that introduces your research problem, outlines the mathematical methodology that you have applied or developed to address your research problem, critically analyses results, summarises the main findings of your project and discusses future work. This authentic assessment will simulate the types of technical reports mathematicians deliver in research and industry. Your thesis will be graded by two examiners who are independent of the supervisory process.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Seminar
You will present key aspects of your thesis in the form of an oral seminar. Your seminar will be presented to a mathematically-diverse audience and will include appropriate visual aids. You will be given the opportunity to answer questions and engage in discussion about your research project, respond to possible critiques of your work, reflect on challenges encountered and/or overcome during your project and share potential future directions of your work. This authentic assessment will replicate the style of presentations mathematicians deliver in research and industry. Your presentation will be graded by two examiners who are independent of the supervisory process.
The use of generative artificial intelligence (GenAI) tools is prohibited during this assessment.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
There is no prescribed text for this unit. You will be directed to a range of resource materials by your project supervisor.
Risk Assessment Statement
If you undertake a project, either individually or in a group, you may in conjunction with your QUT project supervisor, be required to complete and submit a Risk Assessment of your project activities in the Faculty of Science Health and Safety (HSE) hub. For further information go to Health, safety and environment for research students - QUT Students
Additionally, if you undertake an industry project, either individually or in a group, you must ensure that the QUT project partner agreement is completed, respect confidentiality, be aware of any intellectual property requirements for the project and comply with workplace health and safety requirements, (either at QUT or at worksite). For further information please refer to the Work Integrated Learning - QUT Students webpage.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.MS10 Bachelor of Mathematics (Honours)
- Demonstrate and apply advanced knowledge and skills in mathematical sciences to critically analyse and solve complex problems within the discipline or in cross-disciplinary fields where mathematics underpins innovation
Relates to: Thesis - Apply advanced knowledge, skills, digital tools including AI, and research principles of the mathematical sciences to plan and execute a substantial independent research project that systematically addresses theoretical or applied problems in disciplinary or industry contexts
Relates to: Thesis - Communicate complex concepts, methods and findings in the mathematical sciences clearly and effectively to a range of audiences including mathematicians, industry professionals and the general public, using a range of academic, professional, and technical formats
Relates to: Thesis, Seminar - Demonstrate autonomy, accountability, ethical scholarship, and effective collaboration for research and continuous learning, consistent with professional practice in the mathematical sciences
Relates to: Thesis, Seminar