uq thesis topics

Undergraduate engineering theses submissions

Thesis topic selection, assessment and submission.

Details for thesis project selection, assessment and submission can be found on your School's website:

• School of Chemical Engineering
• School of Civil Engineering
• School of Information Technology and Electrical Engineering
• School of Mechanical and Mining Engineering

Students must refer to the relevant Course Profile for information about undertaking and submitting their thesis. Students enrolled in their thesis coures should login to  https://www.sinet.uq.edu.au  to access the complete course profile.

EAIT Project Database

EAIT Project Database .

• Thesis assessment items
• Current students
• Thesis coursework information

There are a number of assessment items you must complete throughout your thesis.

Always check your course profile to confirm the assessment items and due dates for your specific project course. The list in the course profile is the definitive version.

Academic Integrity Tutorial (online)

All EECS Thesis Project students must complete the UQ Academic Integrity Tutorial as a pass/fail requirement of the course. The tutorial can be accessed on the UQ Library website .

It is a University requirement that students complete the Academic Integrity Tutorial before graduation. However, academic integrity is particularly relevant to a thesis project so it's appropriate that student completion of the tutorial is verified early in the project. 

Annotated bibliography

Students undertaking a postgraduate (level 7) coursework thesis are required to compile an annotated bibliography of literature relevant to their project.

The annotated bibliography assists the development of proper referencing style and the short annotations form the kernel of the literature review in the thesis.

UQ provides guidelines and advice on how to write a literature review .

If using EndNote or other bibliographic management software always check that citations generated are correct. A full description of the IEEE citation reference style can be found on  IEEE’s website .

Library workshops  are available to help you prepare for this assessment item. The UQ Library also runs separate EndNote classes and training guides are available on the UQ Library website .

The bibliography is marked by the supervisor on a pass/fail basis using the  annotated bibliography marksheet (PDF, 51.7 KB)

The annotated bibliography is to be submitted via Blackboard (Turnitin).

Proposal Draft

Each student must write a project proposal which clearly defines the thesis topic, presents a review of relevant background materian and an assessment of the impact of previous work on the current project. The Proposal Draft is an earlier version of the final Proposal, with a particular focus on these items. In addition, a brief version of the project plan is to be included with a list of milestones, their dates and the required resources needed to complete these. This section will be expanded for the final proposal.

All background and related material should be appropriately references and appear in a bibliography. The proposal must also contain a satisfactory Occupational Health and Safety risk assessment for the project.

Assessment criteria

The proposal draft will be marked by the supervisor against the proposal draft marking criteria (PDF, 101 KB) .

The project proposal must be submitted via Blackboard by the due time.

Project proposal

Each student must write a project proposal which clearly defines the thesis topic, presents a review of relevant background material and an assessment of the impact of previous work on the current project.

Importantly, the proposal should state the purpose, aims, coverage and relevance of the project and a project plan for its completion.

All background and related material should be appropriately referenced and appear in a bibliography. The proposal must also contain a satisfactory Occupational Health and Safety risk assessment for the project.

There is no set format or length of the project proposal, and this should be discussed with the thesis supervisor.

Using the format of the final thesis will assist in the integration of the material from the progress report into the final thesis.

The length of actual text (excluding title pages, tables of content, etc) is usually around 15 pages.  

The project proposal will be marked by the supervisor against the  project proposal marking criteria (PDF, 307.1 KB) .

Library workshops  are available to help you prepare for this assessment item.

The project proposal must be submitted via Blackboard (Turnitin) by the due time.

Check with your supervisor as they may want a paper copy as well.

Seminar and seminar participation

Approximately half way through their projects, students orally present the key content of their research and the progress of their work.  

The seminar should describe the scope and relevance of their thesis, the reviewed literature and its relevance to the thesis, the work carried out so far and the work remaining to be done.  

The material should be prepared in a fashion that suits oral presentation and gives justice to the progress made so far.  

It is essential that the seminar is not merely an oral presentation of the previously submitted project proposal but is focused on the progress in the project since the submission of the proposal.

Your seminar will be marked by your supervisor using the criteria on the  seminar marksheet (PDF, 211.4 KB) . 

You should consult with your supervisor to arrange your Project Progress Seminar at least one week prior to the scheduled assessment. 

The supervisor will provide you with a Zoom link for the agreed time. You will be able to see the complete seminar schedule via the Assessment tab in Blackboard. 

Seminar participation

You must also participate in at least five other seminars and have your participation recorded on the  seminar participation form (PDF, 66.9 KB) . You do not need to book to attend the seminars that you participate in, only your own presentation timeslot.

Completed seminar participation forms are to be emailed to  [email protected]  with the subject 'Completed Seminar Participation Sheet'.  

Failure to participate in five seminars means your overall mark for the course is capped at 49% and your final grade is capped at 3.

Note: your seminar will be recorded for official moderation and review of results as required.

Conference paper

Postgraduate coursework thesis students must complete a 2-page or 4-page conference paper.

This item of assessment introduces students to an important medium of scientific and professional communication.

Students are required to submit a conference paper on their research findings in the form of an extended abstract.

The paper must follow the  conference paper template (Microsoft Word format) (DOC, 38 KB) . (The paper doesn't have to be completed using Microsoft Word, but it must still follow the template.)

The conference paper will be marked by your supervisor using the criteria on the  conference paper marksheet (PDF, 226 KB) .

You must submit your conference paper via Blackboard (Turnitin).

Page length requirement

#4 unit courses - submit a 2 page conference paper #6 or #8 unit courses - submit a 4 page conference paper

Poster and demonstration

Each student must verbally and visually present the results of their work at a time negotiated with their supervisor and examiner during the demonstration week.

Where tangible working hardware or software has been produced, it should be demonstrated.

All students will be required to produce a poster documenting their work to support their presentation.

The poster and demonstration will be marked by your examiner using the  Poster and Demonstration marksheet (PDF, 244.7 KB) .

The poster should clearly identify the project title, goals, some relevant background information and outcomes.

The abstract should clearly state the project aims and goals, methods used and the project outcomes.

The posters may be created using this   poster template (PPTX, 122.5 KB)  (more information is found on the template itself).

The posters are designed to be printed in colour on A3 paper (print using the  size to fit  option). Colour A3 printing is available on campus via POD or the UQ Union Print Shop.

Final presentation

Students undertaking a CEED or placement project have a final presentation at the end of the project, at a time and date to be negotiated with the industry and academic supervisors but no later than the date given in the course profile.

For a placement away from the Brisbane area, the presentation will take place on the student's return to UQ at an agreed time.

The presentation will be marked by the academic supervisor using either the  seminar marksheet (PDF, 196.1 KB)  or the  demonstration marksheet (PDF, 158.7 KB)  as appropriate.

Thesis (final report)

The project thesis is the major means of reporting the contribution of the project.  

The thesis should be such as to facilitate assessment by persons other than the supervisor, and should comprehensively include material on the problems and goals of the project, applicable methods, the approach taken, major decisions and the reasons for the selection of goals and methods, results, the extent to which the goals have been achieved, the relevance, importance and context of achievements and the reasons for any shortcomings.  

Production of the thesis is regarded as part of the educational value of the project, and the supervisor should give guidance where appropriate.

Please refer to the Formatting your thesis page for more information.

The thesis will be marked by both the supervisor and examiner using the  thesis marksheet (PDF, 407.1 KB) . Their marks will contribute equally towards this component of the assessment.

Students must submit their thesis via Blackboard (Turnitin). 

Please refer to the  Thesis Submission Information page  for more information.

• How to enrol in your thesis or final year project

Do you want to enrol in your thesis or final year project?

This page outlines the difference between each course code, how to select a project and how to enrol.

The information below is a guide only. Students must refer to the relevant Course Profile for further information.

• Which course do I enrol in?
• How to select your thesis topic
• How to enrol
• Your thesis and confidentiality
• Thesis expectations

1. Which course do I enrol in?

• Student experience

How do I choose a topic and supervisor?

Before applying for Honours, you’ll need to choose a thesis topic and find an academic staff member within the school who agrees to supervise your project.  Once you’ve chosen your topic and a supervisor, you’ll write a short Research Proposal setting out your ideas to attach to your Honours application.

Supervisors can be in demand, so it’s good to start thinking about your topic and potential supervisors well before applications are due.  This process can take time, but don’t be intimidated or discouraged.  Remember – you can always contact us if you need help or advice.

Here are some hints and ideas to help you get started.

First, think about possible topics!

• Identify a general area, problem or issue that you’d like to explore
• If you’re having difficulty, think about any undergraduate courses, assignments or lecturers that stood out to you.  
• Some students wish to pursue projects that overlap with their professional or political interests.

Second, identify potential supervisors

• Check the listing of  our academic staff on the POLSIS website to see whose research or approach might interest you. It is very common to for students to approach potential supervisors without prior contact or any existing relationship - so don’t be nervous.
• Consider contact you’ve had with POLSIS staff during your undergraduate studies
• Be aware that some supervisors are in high demand, at full supervision capacity or going on research leave - so try to identify a few different possible supervisors.

Third, approach staff!

• Once you’ve identified a preferred supervisor, email them directly
• Introduce yourself, including a few paragraphs about your research interests and chosen topic – plus some research questions interest you in that area if possible.
• Ask if they would be interested and able to supervise you.  If you are local, ask if they would consider meeting you to discuss the possibility. If they are not available or able to supervise you, ask for suggestions about other suitable supervisors.
• Consider any feedback given and whether you need to refine your area of interest – is your topic too broad, too specific, or not a current question in the discipline?
• If your preferred supervisor isn’t available, try again and approach someone else.

Fourth, develop a Research Proposal

• Once you’ve secured a supervisor and had some advice on your topic, you’ll write a 300-500 word Research Proposal to attach to your application for Honours
• Your Research Proposal is an outline of what your thesis project will involve. It should give background to your topic, your research question, identify methods you may use as well as some academic literature you may consult.
• Your proposal isn’t expected to be polished or show advanced research, but Research Proposals should indicate a research project that could develop into a thesis with the time and support available.

If you have questions or need assistance finding a topic, identifying possible supervisors, or writing a Research Proposal, please contact the Honours Coordinator.

Coursework Research Projects

• Current Students

This webpage covers research projects (RP) and research thesis (RT) courses for coursework students. If you are a HDR student, please click here .

1. Brief Information

First, please understand the differences between a Research Project (RP) course and a Research Thesis (RT) course before enrolling. In summary:

• RP (projects): you can enrol right away without requesting permission by simply adding the course to your enrolment.
• RT (thesis): you need to apply for approval by sending an email using the template shown below under the subsection Permission to enrol.

Second, further to the difference between RP and RT, note that the number of units varies from 2, 4, and 8. Therefore, you must select the correct course code appropriate to your studies. In summary (see course codes in the table below):

• Two-unit courses: Run over one single semester, and you enrol just once
• Four-unit courses: Run over two semesters (full year), and you must enrol in the same course code for each semester
• Eight-unit courses: Run over two semesters (full year), and you must enrol in the same course code for each semester

2. Permission to enrol in research theses (RT) course

The pre-requisite requirement to enrol in a thesis course is:

• CIVL4604 + CIVL4606 – requires cumulative GPA of 4.8 or higher CIVL7500 + CIVL7501 – requires cumulative GPA of 5.0 or higher

This will be checked when you submit your request. You must use the email template below to request permission. Make sure to replace [xxxx] with your data.

Dear Officer, I want to apply for permission to enrol in a Research Thesis (RT) program under the code CIVL[xxxx]. My full name is: [xxxx] My student number is: [xxxx] Kind regards, [xxxx]

Send your email to [email protected]  

Permission can only be granted after grades have been released in the current semester.

3. Project selection

Third, please browse our list of available research topics under EAIT Research Topics to find a topic of your interest. You can choose up to five (5) projects. You will be allocated based on your preference and academic supervision load. Allocations will be on a first-in, first-served basis. Alternatively, if you have already secured a supervisor and project, please complete the Coursework Project Agreement form and forward the written endorsement from your supervisor to [email protected] . You will need to quote the reference number of the email into the form. Upon approval, you will receive an email confirming which project and supervisor you have been allocated. Afterwards, you will need to get the written endorsement of your supervisor and complete the Coursework Project Agreement form.  

*pre-2024 Masters students can still enrol in the 8-unit courses

!  ENGG7292 is completed in semester 2 of 4 th  year for BE/ME students. This is the only course enrolment for the semester. Students need to contact EAIT Employability ( [email protected] ) to make arrangements for suitable placements in the semester prior to their required placement semester.

View the full list of Project offerings on the EAIT Projects webpage

Thesis with publications

Process overview.

As part of the thesis, a candidate may submit published work that contributes directly to their arguments and supports their findings.

The minimum requirements for including publications in a thesis are:

• The work must have been carried out since the commencement of the candidature.
• The work must have been submitted for publication, accepted for publication, or published during the period of candidature.
• The scope and quality of the published work must be commensurate with the contribution of knowledge expected of a Doctorate of Philosophy (PhD) or Master of Philosophy (MPhil) candidate.

Formatting and structural requirements

The thesis must meet the following requirements:

• The thesis must contain an introduction that contextualises the research in relation to the present state of knowledge in the field.
• Thesis chapters must be in a logical and cogent sequence leading to an argument that supports the main findings of the thesis.
• There must be an independent and original general discussion included that is entirely the work of the candidate and that integrates the most significant findings of the thesis.
• Clear statements of the candidate’s contribution to each paper must be provided in the preliminary pages of the thesis.
• Works submitted for publication must be clearly distinguished from work which has already been published or accepted for publication.
• Published works which are included in the thesis should not be submitted in the journal's published format, but rather in the format of the final author-submitted manuscript. This requirement is in place to maintain consistent formatting throughout the thesis.

Although they have gone through peer review, published works which appear in the thesis are  not exempt  from the revisions which examiners may request.

Learn more in the Thesis Preparation Guide for candidates.

• Projects and dissertations
• Current students

The School of Public Health offers research project opportunities to students within our undergraduate and postgraduate programs. Research projects are an important way for students to develop new academic and professional capabilities as well as “test-drive” the research experience before embarking on further research studies. Undertaking a research project or dissertation is also an excellent opportunity to build connections with world-class UQ researchers and research networks.   

Master of Public Health project & Master of Epidemiology dissertation

Both the Master of Public Health and Master of Epidemiology programs offer a research project opportunity to students. Typically completed in their final semester of study, the MPH project or MEpi dissertation allow students to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during their coursework to a real-world public health or (clinical) epidemiological context to produce a body of research.

Students work closely with their project/dissertation supervisor either in-person, or virtually, when undertaking the research project. The research conducted is written up as either a draft manuscript to submit to a journal, a research report (e.g. for government/industry) or a more traditional thesis style report.

Both the dissertations and projects can be completed full-time or part-time. The Master of Public Health project is a #4-unit elective capstone course, with a minimum cumulative GPA requirement of 5.5. The Master of Epidemiology dissertation is core to the MEpi program and consists of #8-units, with no GPA requirement.

To explore possible topics and/or supervisors, students can:

• Browse the list of projects/dissertations on the Postgraduate Student Community Blackboard site. If you are unsure where to find this site, please contact your Program Director.
• Search research centres and groups
• Search academics who work in an area of interest
• Talk to your course coordinators and/or Program Director and people in your workplace.

Bachelor of Health Sciences research project – HLTH3007

Students completing the Bachelor of Health Sciences can choose to undertake a one-semester research project on a topic of interest. HLTH3007 provides a valuable introduction for students interested in research and considering moving into the Bachelor of Health Sciences Honours degree. The research project may involve health-related research, or a systematically conducted literature review – it depends very much on the project, which may sit anywhere from cell through to community.

Students must have completed at least #32 units of the Bachelor of Health Sciences or Bachelor of Science program before undertaking HLTH3007. Prospective students should meet with the Course Coordinator as soon as grades for Semester 1 courses are released to discuss their research and confirm their topic and supervisor for HLTH3007 enrolment in Semester 2 of the same year. HTLH3007 is a #2-unit course.

The Course Coordinator will then give approval for enrolment in HLTH3007. Students must have a minimum GPA of 5.0.

• Orientation guides
• Student support
• Health Communication Essentials
• Industry placements

Want to become an industry partner?

Please get in touch to discuss potential project ideas.

Send us an email

Download the flyer

Resources for legal writing

• Introduction
• Essays, exams and case notes

Selected books

Locate uq school of law theses, training options, browse subject headings, online resources.

• Professional writing
• Other resources

• Services for Higher Degree by Research students

• Academic writing
• Graduate students
• Dissertations, Academic
• Law -- Study and teaching (Higher)

• Thesis preparation (formatting, word limits, templates)
• Thesis submission (submission requirements, iThenticate, eSpace submission)
• Thesis examination

The Graduate School also offers many workshops that may help with your research project.

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Thesis and Project Information

Information for students enrolling in a thesis or project course in Semester 1, 2021

Are you a fourth year student looking to enrol in a thesis or project course?

Check out these informative slides which have all the information you need, including:

• Choosing the right course code
• The difference between a thesis and a project course
• Finding a project
• Finding a supervisor How to enrol in a thesis or project course
• FAQ (general and course-specific)

Download presentation (PDF, 748.5 KB)

Other useful resources include:

• SOMME Thesis or Project Enrolment webpage
• EAIT Projects Database (select 'Semester 1, 2021' and 'Mechanical and Mining' from the drop-down menus at the top of the page to view relevant projects)
• UQ Researchers database

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You're an international student if you are:

• intending to study on a student visa,
• not a citizen of Australia or New Zealand,
• not an Australian permanent resident, or
• a temporary resident (visa status) of Australia.

We have the answers to your research questions.

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 Send an enquiry

Email us, and we’ll get back to you as soon as possible.

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Doctor of Philosophy

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) is an internationally recognised graduate research program that will enable you to become an independent researcher. 

With the guidance of an advisory team, you'll undertake a research project, produce an 80,000-word thesis and complete an oral examination.

A PhD takes 3 to 4 years full-time. Under guidance, you'll develop advanced research skills and knowledge in your chosen field.

The thesis is a substantial document that makes an original contribution to your field of research. Your thesis may involve an alternate format .

You'll need a strong academic background and you may need to submit a research proposal and other documents to support your application. About 1,000 PhD candidates join UQ each year researching a wide range of topics.

Research at UQ

UQ is one of Australia’s top research-intensive universities. Our research makes an impact on the world's cultural, environmental, economic and social challenges.

Learn more about UQ's research

Program highlights

• Be inspired and challenged to explore new ideas and develop greater understanding of complex questions with leading researchers.
• Access premier resources including one of Australia’s largest libraries, with more than 2 million physical resources and 116,800+ journal subscriptions.
• Foster and improve your skills through the Career Development Framework, created with industry.
• Learn from researchers whose work addresses national and global cultural, environmental, economic and social challenges.

35 in the world

CWTS Leiden Ranking 2023

51 in the world

Academic Ranking of World Universities 2023

Supervision

You have to find and contact a thesis supervisor before you apply

This supervisor will support, guide and mentor you through your research, and can introduce you to professional networks that will start your career.

Find a supervisor

3-Minute Thesis

The showcase event for research candidates is the 3-Minute Thesis (3MT). 

3MT is held each spring.

Learn more about the 3MT

Career development

UQ offers a range of development opportunities via the Career Development Framework (CDF) to help you develop portable skills for any career or industry.

Learn more about the CDF

Studying at UQ gave me the flexibility to expand my knowledge across different areas of science outside of my chosen specialty. Keeping my scientific and translational skills broad has allowed me to adapt to different environments and opportunities throughout my career.

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Entry requirements, gpa equivalent.

Select where you studied and your qualification to see the GPA you need to be considered for this program.

Meeting the GPA requirement doesn’t guarantee admission.

Academic entry requirements

You have to prove you are prepared for PhD study. You do this by showing you:

• have completed some research experience
• have completed an approved university degree  and
• can meet the English language requirements.

Approved degrees

An approved degree needs to be:

• in an area relevant to your proposed PhD project and
• completed no more than 10 years ago.

You need one of the following approved degrees to apply for a PhD:

• Master of Philosophy (or another research master’s degree); or
• Bachelor’s degree from an approved university with at least honours class IIA or equivalent; or
• Coursework master’s degree with an overall grade point average of 5.65 on the 7-point UQ scale which includes relevant research experience, approved by the dean; or
• Postgraduate degree (at least one year full-time or equivalent) with an overall grade point average of 5 on the 7-point UQ scale, together with demonstrated research experience equivalent to honours class IIA will be considered on a case-by-case basis; or
• Bachelor’s degree plus at least 2 years of relevant research experience , including research publications.

Research experience

You'll meet the requirements for admission into a PhD in terms of 'research preparedness' if you can provide evidence that you've planned and executed project work and/or a body of research with some independence.

To demonstrate this, we'll ask you to provide one of the following:

• with completed courses that aim to develop research skills (minimum value of #1 unit e.g. 50 per cent of a #2 unit course), and/or
• the completion of a supervised research project that includes an individually graded written report with a combined minimum course volume equal to #4 units at UQ.
• Scholarly papers involving a substantial contribution as an author, appearing in recognised academic journals or in volumes published by recognised academic publishers.
• Research or technical reports prepared for industry, government or business, which adhere to the broad conventions of academic publishing (i.e. contain an up-to-date review of relevant literature, a description of relevant research methods and an evaluation of results, etc.) and which identify you as a significant contributor.
• A portfolio of published creative work together with published critical discussion of some or all of that work, or of a comparable body of work by others, and which demonstrates your development of a scholarly approach to creative work as research investigation.
• Demonstrable industry or work experience where you can demonstrate that you have planned and executed a project, working with a high level of independence.

Student visas

International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Doctor of Philosophy are eligible to apply for an Australian Student visa (subclass 500).

This program has two CRICOS codes:

• 0100213 – Architecture, creative arts, education, health, information technology, management and commerce, mathematical sciences, social and cultural studies
• 0100214 – Agriculture and environmental studies, dentistry, engineering, human movement, medical studies, natural and physical sciences, pharmacy, psychology, veterinary science

Discuss your proposed project with us to determine which CRICOS code is most relevant for your visa application.

There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirement.

Learn more about student visas

Additional entry requirements

Many departments will have additional entry requirements and may request documents to support your application, such as a research proposal. You should discuss these additional requirements with your potential thesis supervisor.

Additional application information

Minimum English language proficiency requirements apply, please refer to the English proficiency policy .

English language requirements

There are a few ways you can meet our English language requirements. If you sit a test, the following scores are needed for PhD admission:

Read our English language requirements

Scholarships

There are several types of PhD scholarship:

• tuition fee scholarship : this covers the fees charged by UQ for PhD study
• living stipend scholarship: this is a   fortnightly payment (or stipend) to support your daily expenses
• top-up scholarship: may be provided by external organisations, supervisors, or philanthropic donations. When awarded, they provide an additional payment on top of a living stipend scholarship. They cannot be held without a living stipend scholarship.

Each year, we award more than 600 scholarships to attract and support the highest quality higher degree by research applicants.

View all postgraduate research scholarships

University scholarships

UQ scholarships include:

• Graduate School Scholarships
• Graduate School Tuition Fees Scholarship
• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Scholarships
• Earmarked Scholarships
• The Graduate School Scholarship

Other scholarships

Throughout the year we advertise a range of other research scholarships, including top-up scholarships, travel grants and external scholarships, including:

• Westpac Future Leaders Scholarship

How to apply for a scholarship

You can apply for many scholarships using the same form as your PhD application. External scholarships might have different ways to apply. 

Our Scholarships website explains how to apply for each scholarship. If you are applying for a non-UQ scholarship, outcome dates may vary.

Fees and costs

Tuition fees.

Your fees will vary according to your academic field, study load and whether you study internally or remotely.

Learn more about postgraduate research fees

Research costs

The department you enrol with will meet all necessary costs for your project, including:

• resource and facility costs: at UQ, which may include other organisations in Australia or overseas
• travel costs: to complete fieldwork, collect data, or to visit libraries or other repositories
• coursework costs: for courses studied outside the department
• relevant training: in particular methodologies or techniques.

How to apply

Before you apply, 1. check your eligibility.

Check your eligibility by reviewing the entry requirements for UQ's Higher Degrees by Research. If applying for a scholarship, check the scholarship's eligibility and important dates.

2. Approach a potential supervisor or find a project

You'll either need to find:

• a supervisor in your field who will support your proposed project.  Identify a researcher .
• a project you can join that suits your interests.  See available projects .

If you're choosing a researcher, you'll need to find one with relevant expertise and get agreement to support your PhD and project.

Many departments will require additional information to make a decision around your motivation, understanding, commitment, and financial support required.

They may request documents to support your application, such as a research proposal. You should discuss these additional requirements with your potential thesis supervisor.

3. Gather your documents

You will need to compile the necessary documents. We will accept scanned copies of original documents, but you will have to keep all original documents for the duration of your studies.

Upload all documents as PDFs and name your files like this: LASTNAME_firstname_document-name.pdf

If any of your documents is in a language other than English, you will need to send both the original document and an official translation.

Send the following documents with your application:

An academic CV assists us to determine your readiness to commence a higher degree by research. For the purposes of this application, your academic CV should be current (i.e. no more than 6 months old) and include information under the following headings:

Personal details

• your full name
• your contact details (phone number, email address, city and country of residence)
• nationality
• languages spoken and proficiency level for each
• your ORCID ID or other research output identifier (such as Google Scholar) if you have one (see the ORCID ID and research identifiers information provided by UQ Library).

As the purpose of this academic CV is to determine your academic suitability for a higher degree by research program at UQ and your competitiveness against other applicants, we only require information that is of direct relevance to our decision-making processes. With this in mind, please do not include the following in your academic CV:

• photographs/head shot
• marital status
• driver’s license
• date of birth/age
• hobbies and interests.

Educational qualifications and academic awards

List each of your formal educational qualifications in reverse chronological order (i.e. with the most recent formal educational qualification listed first). For each qualification, include:

• the commencing and end dates (month and year) for the qualification
• the full title of the qualification (e.g. Bachelor of Arts instead of B.A.)
• the institution attended and the enrolling school/administrative unit
• the city and country where the institution is located
• your Grade Point Average (GPA) for the overall qualification
• any academic achievement awards (e.g. Dean’s awards, subject prizes, University medals, thesis prizes etc.) received for the qualification
• if a research thesis was part of the qualification, include the title and word length of your dissertation.

As part of your application, please submit academic transcripts and degree certificates for each educational qualification you list.

Please do not include:

• high school qualifications
• the individual subjects/courses undertaken throughout your qualifications or the grades awarded for these
• training courses/professional development activities not resulting in a formal qualification.

Professional affiliations and memberships

List any professional/disciplinary associations or committees that you a member of and include:

• the commencing and end date (in years) for the affiliation/membership
• the name of the professional association or committee
• your membership type (e.g. student member, affiliate member, full member etc.) or role (e.g. committee member, secretary, president etc.).

Employment history

List each of your previous employment roles in reverse chronological order (i.e. with the most recent/current employment listed first) and include:

• the commencing and end dates (month and year) for the employment
• the title of each position
• the name of the employing organisation, the city, and country where you were based
• your main duties or accountabilities in that role, providing detailed information on any research-related activities
• any achievements during that role that are relevant to your proposed field of research .

Other research experience

List any voluntary, unpaid, or extra-curricular research-related projects or experiences you have undertaken (e.g. summer research projects, internships etc.) and include:

• the commencing and end dates (month and year) of the experience
• the name of the organisation, the city, and country where you were based

Research outputs

In reverse chronological order (i.e. the most recent output first) list your research outputs,  including for example research published or accepted for publication, research reports, and research by creative practice.

If needed, use sub-headings to separate refereed journal articles, published conference proceedings, edited book chapters, books, creative works, industry reports, invited papers, patents, media commentary, conference presentations and posters, invited talks etc. If applicable, use additional sub-headings to indicate if outputs are published , accepted for publication (but not yet in print), or (submitted but) under review .

Do not include any outputs/publications that are ‘in preparation’ .

For all research outputs, include:

• the output/publication reference using an official bibliographical style (such as Turabian/Chicago, APA, Harvard), including listing all authors in the order that they appear in the work with your name in bold
• the Digital Object Identifier (DOI), PubMed Identifier (PMID), International Standard Book Number (ISBN) or URL where applicable
• the standing of the journal or conference and the impact of the work (e.g. impact factors, citations and other metrics indicators)
• relevant indicators of national or international significance
• rejection rates for the outlet etc.
• how much of the original research you were responsible for (i.e. what was your role in the conception and design of the project and how involved were you in the analysis and interpretation of the research data on which the publication is based?)
• the extent to which you authored the paper.

Research grants and relevant awards

Include only those research grants and relevant awards that you have received at the time of making your application (i.e. do not list grants or awards that you applied for and did not receive or are awaiting a decision on). For each research grant/award, include:

• the name of the granting/awarding body and the country in which they are based
• the name of the grant/award
• the year(s) in which the grant was active or the year in which the award was made
• the amount of the research grant/award
• if relevant (e.g. for research grants), the title of your application.

Applicants from creative and professional-based disciplines may also include non-research grants and awards related to their creative or professional practice.

Research achievements relative to opportunity (optional)

In recognition of the diverse personal and professional pathways that applicants have experienced, you are invited to provide information ( maximum 200 words ) to contextualise your research outputs and achievements, relative to the opportunities that you have had to participate in research-related activities.

This section of the CV is optional and should only be included if you believe there are factors relevant to your research achievements that you would like the selection panels to know. Examples of factors include (but are not limited to):

• study/career disruptions due to illness, caregiving, natural disasters etc.
• non-linear academic or career progression, or a change in career direction
• reduced ability to take up research-related opportunities (e.g. attend conferences) due to caregiving responsibilities.

Academic referees

Please provide us with two referees who can comment on your academic work. For each referee, include their:

• honorific and name
• employing organisation and the city and country where they are located
• contact details, including office address, telephone, fax and email (preferably an institutional, rather than private, email address)
• an indication of the capacity in which you know this person (e.g. were they a lecturer or thesis supervisor, an employer, how long you’ve known them etc.). 

If possible, please include at least one:

• senior person (preferably your supervisor or the head of your organisational unit) closely associated with your current work, and
• person who is not a member of your proposed advisory panel/supervisory team.

Formatting and document specifications

We recommend that you use the below formatting settings to improve the readability of your CV:

• margins of at least 1.5 centimetres
• single line spacing
• no smaller than 12 point Times New Roman font (or equivalent)
• left justify text (not full justify)
• include your name and page number on each page
• be consistent in your formatting and spelling throughout
• limit the use of bold, underline, italics, and multiple font types.

Please proofread your CV carefully before uploading it to your application.

Save as a PDF and name your file: LASTNAME_firstname_CV.pdf

There is no page limit to your academic CV – it can be as long as required to include the information requested here.

Please include in your CV all the headings listed above – if you do not have any content to add for a particular heading please list ‘None to date’ under that heading .

An academic CV for employment purposes within Australia would not include the information requested here outlining your three most significant publications or your research achievements relative to opportunity. It would, however, include information about professional and service activities undertaken and may include a summary of your relevant research/teaching interest areas and skill sets – this information is not required in the CV you submit here for application to an HDR program.

This should show all study you have undertaken since secondary school, whether complete or incomplete, including the institution grading scale. The grading scale is often found on the final page or the reverse page; be sure to include all pages.

An academic transcript can also be called an:

• academic record
• diploma supplement
• statement of learning
• record of achievement.

A degree certificate is a legal document, imprinted with a university seal. It should state the name of your qualification and areas of study.

Include all degree certificates (testamurs) for post-secondary study with your application. If you studied in China, you must provide a:

• award certificate and
• graduate statement/certificate.

All applicants have to prove they can meet English language requirements . Any test scores have to be valid at your proposed commencement date.

Include a copy of the information page (with your photo) in your passport. This will verify your identity and ensure we can make offers correctly.

Include the contact details of two referees who will support your application. These referees will need to provide insight into your research experience.

We will contact your referees for a report, but you will need to enter their details into the application form.

Other documentation, originals or certified copies, may be required depending on your individual circumstances, for example:

• evidence of change of name
• proof of citizenship, if you are not a citizen of Australia or New Zealand by birth
• evidence of your Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status
• previous research program information .

If you don't provide us with all documents it will take us longer to process your application. Your start date might then be delayed, or you might miss an admission or scholarship deadline. 

4. Apply online

Once you have prepared your application and contacted a potential supervisor, use the online application form to apply. Your application can only be assessed once your referees have responded to us, and all outstanding documents and school/institute endorsements have been received.

Important dates

The academic year for research students is divided into four research quarters (RQ).

Candidates applying for a Student Visa or UQ scholarship may need to apply earlier. Make sure you check  scholarship round application deadlines  and outcome dates before applying.

The agreed start date will be included on your Confirmation of Enrolment.

Find out more about research quarter dates

The academic year for research students is divided into four research quarters (RQ). You can start a PhD in any quarter, as long as the Census Date hasn't passed.

Candidates applying for a UQ scholarship may need to apply earlier. Make sure you check scholarship round application deadlines and outcome dates before applying.

The agreed start date will be included on your offer of admission.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants

For support with applying – or if you have any questions about university life – get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.

Contact the ATSIS Unit

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Occupational Therapy

Physiotherapy, speech pathology.

Title: Improving patient-centred communication in Audiology clinical practice Type of project: PhD Supervisor: Katie Ekberg , Louise Hickson Project description: Projects available examining client-clinician communicInmation in Audiology clinical practice (adults and paediatrics), with the aim of increasing patient-centred practice in clinical care for people with hearing impairment.

Title: Automated innovative diagnosis for otitis media with effusion in young children Type of project: PhD Supervisor: Associate Professor Joseph Kei Project description: Research evidence revealed that up to 90% of children would develop some form of otitis media in childhood resulting in significant hearing loss. However, detection of otitis media with effusion (OME) in young children (1-5 years) presents a challenge to audiologists and otologists. While existing audiological measures are useful in identifying OME, their predictive accuracy is not ideal with relatively low sensitivity and specificity. An emerging technology, wideband absorbance (WBA), has been found to have high predictive accuracy in identifying middle ear diseases. However, its application to young children has not been systematically investigated. This study aims to evaluate the test performance of WBA and traditional audiological measures in diagnosing OME in young children.

Title: Early detection of cholesteatoma using an innovative technology Type of project: PhD Supervisor: Associate Professor Joseph Kei Project description: Cholesteatoma is a middle ear tumour which erodes the bones of the middle ear and inner ear, resulting in hearing loss, dizziness, facial paralysis and intracranial complications. However, traditional audiological assessments are failing to detect cholesteatoma with high accuracy, resulting in a delay in diagnosis. The aim of this project is to evaluate the test performance of an innovative technology (wideband absorbance, WBA) to diagnose cholesteatoma with a view to provide early intervention to alleviate the disease burden in the Australian community.

Title: Neurorehabilitation of the upper limb in children and adults: Therapists’ clinical reasoning and intervention outcomes Type of project: PhD or MPhil Supervisor: Dr Jodie Copley Project description: A number of projects are available focusing on therapists’ clinical decision making for management of upper limb hypertonicity and achievement of daily life goals for children and adults with brain injury. Other projects focus on outcomes of interventions including movement training, resting and functional splints, and casting.

Title: Using smart technology to deliver cognitive rehabilitation for people with neurological conditions Type of project: PhD or MPhil Supervisor: Dr Hannah Gullo Project Description : Smartwatches, which synchronise with applications on personal mobile devices, have recently appeared on the market, and have much potential to provide an innovative approach to the delivery of cognitive rehabilitation using compensatory strategies. This project involves evaluating the usability and effectiveness of the latest smart technology as an assistive aid in improving everyday memory and organisation in people with cognitive impairment due to neurological conditions, such as multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and brain injury.

Title: The experience of cognitive fatigue in multiple sclerosis Type of project: PhD or MPhil Supervisor: Dr Hannah Gullo Project Description : People with multiple sclerosis often report a decrease in physical energy, as well as a lack of mental stamina, impacting on daily functioning. Recent work in the field advocates a multidimensional approach to assessing fatigue. However, a better understanding of the experience of cognitive fatigue in people with multiple sclerosis is required to enable development of new approaches to assessment and management of this poorly understood symptom.

Title: Occupational engagement during stroke rehabilitation Type of project: PhD or MPhil Supervisor: Assoc Prof Louise Gustafsson Project description: The increasing focus on enriched environments for stroke rehabilitation derive from studies related to activity levels and recovery. A consumer voice is required to inform the development of these environments. The proposed study would seek to understand occupational engagement within a stroke rehabilitation ward setting from the perspectives of clients, carers, and health professionals with aims to develop alternatives to the current models for enrichment and pilot testing.

Title: Devices measuring movement in Parkinson’s Disease Type of Project: MPhil / PhD Supervisor: Professor Sandra Brauer Project Description: This project involves working in a multidisciplinary team of health and engineering researchers to develop new technologies to measure and monitor motor performance of people with Parkinson’s Disease in their own home. It aims to develop and validate measures of gait, postural stability, arm function, physical activity and signs such as tremor in people with Parkinson’s disease.

Title: Improving physical activity after stroke Type of Project : MPhil / PhD Supervisor: Professor Sandra Brauer Project Description: Activity levels of people with stroke are very low and place them at further risk of another stroke. This project investigates the effect of combining treadmill training and a self management approach during rehabilitation to improve physical activity after rehabilitation.

Title: Brain stimulation after stroke Type of Project: MPhil / PhD Supervisor: Professor Sandra Brauer Project Description: This project aims to combine non-invasive brain stimulation with a new non-robotic device, the SMART Arm, to improve arm activity and reduce impairments in people with severe paresis after stroke.

Title: Assessment and rehabilitation of spinal control to withstand axial load. Type of Project: PhD Supervisor: Dr Andrew Claus Project Description: Investigating spinal biomechanics, with special interest in dynamic postural control and neuromuscular function in idiopathic scoliosis. Foundation studies have defined normal responses to axial load. Future studies will investigate responses in cohorts with pain, and with spinal pathology.

Title: Dynamic postural control in idiopathic scoliosis Type of Project: MPhil / PhD Supervisor: Dr Andrew Claus Project Description: These studies will explore new aspects of spinal biomechanics and neuromuscular function, examining dynamic postural control in people with and without idiopathic scoliosis.

Title: Plantar tactile stimulation to improve balance, mobility and reduce falls in ageing, neurological, metabolic and musculoskeletal disease populations Type of Project:  MPhil / PhD Supervisor:   Dr Anna Hatton Project Description:  Providing enhanced sensory information to the soles of the feet, by way of innovative rehabilitation devices (e.g. textured shoe insoles), may have the capacity to improve balance and walking ability and reduce the risk of falls, in people with age-related or pathological loss of foot sensation. This research aims to investigate the effects of wearing novel sensory-driven shoe insoles and foot orthoses on postural stability and gait in older adults, people with Multiple Sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease, diabetic peripheral neuropathy, and painful lower limb musculoskeletal conditions. This is a multi-professional research program  .

Project 1: The goal of motor adaptation Title: Understanding the goal of the motor adaptation to pain Type of project: PhD/MPhil Supervisors: Assoc Professor François Hug , Kylie Tucker and Professor Paul Hodges Project Description: The effects of pain on movement have been widely studied during acute experimental pain and in people with clinical musculoskeletal pain conditions. Changes in movement control during pain are thought to reduce load on painful tissue to protect from further pain and/or injury. Although logical and generally assumed to be correct, there is surprisingly little evidence to provide definitive support for this theory. For example, using an innovative elastographic technique, we recently showed that muscle stress/load is not systematically decreased within the painful area during an isometric single joint task (Tucker et al., submitted). Three issues could explain this. First, the theory may be wrong and the adaptation to pain may not serve to unload irritated tissue. Second, our acute pain model may not induce the same changes in load distribution as clinical pain, and alternative pain models should be used. Third, the isometric single joint tasks may be insufficient to allow changes in motor strategy that unload the painful tissue. This project will address these issues, and in doing so provide direct insight into the goal of the motor adaptation to pain.

Project 2: Variability and Persistent Pain Title: Do changes in movement variability evolve with repeated exposure to pain over multiple days? Type of project:  PhD/MPhil Supervisor(s): Assoc Professor François Hug , Kylie Tucker , and Professor Paul Hodges Project Description:  Complex changes in motor control during pain have been explored in depth during simple tasks. However, less is known about pain-induced changes for tasks involving coordinated activity of multiple muscles, in which multiple options for different muscle combinations are available to perform the task (i.e. musculo-skeletal redundancy). The successful control of movement is inherently linked to variability in movement performance. For example, cyclic variability in knee angle during walking is thought to distribute loading between joint structures. In this context, providing the outcome is successful variability is thought to be ‘good’. Variability of movement is reduced in people with some clinical pain conditions. In these chronic musculoskeletal conditions it is not known if pain is the factor that reduces variability and/or if the reduced variability over time induces the pain, through repetitive loading on joint structures. To determine if changes in movement variability to short term pain exposure may underpin more long-term adaptations, we must first consider the evolution of this variable over multiple days of pain. Project 3: Variability and motor organization in clinical pain populations Title: Is the organization of movement and degree of movement variability altered in people with chronic clinical pain conditions? Type of project:  PhD/MPhil Supervisor(s): Kylie Tucker , Assoc Professor François Hug , Assoc Professor Kay Crossley and Professor Paul Hodges Project Description:  Anterior knee pain is a chronic condition, that can have a long-term impact on an individuals participation in physical activity. Significant links exist between the duration of anterior knee pain and the development of knee osteoarthritis. Considerable literature explores changes in gait and tissue loading with knee osteoarthritis, when both pain and tissue degeneration is significant. Understanding changes in movement control, including movement variability and synergistic organization of muscle coordination during gait, in the earlier stage of this degenerative process (when pain is present, but tissue changes are not yet observed) is likely to support the development of early management techniques that could ultimately prevent chronicity. Reduced variably (e.g. of knee angular velocity) has been observed in people with anterior knee pain when running. We will determine if changes in movement variability and muscle synergy organisation is altered during movement tasks that are pain provoking and non-pain provoking.  

Title: Improving paediatric physiotherapy Type of Project: MPhil / PhD Supervisor: Dr Leanne Johnston Project Description: Multiple opportunities are available to investigate a variety of physiotherapy-based research questions under the umbrella of paediatric physiotherapy. There are opportunities for UQ-based projects working in conjunction with Queensland Children’s Hospital / Children’s Health Queensland Health (acute ortho, respiratory or neurological), the Cerebral Palsy League (cerebral palsy and acquired brain injury) and the UQ Paeds clinic (Developmental delay or Developmental Coordination Disorder).

Title: Promoting successful return to work for workers with musculoskeletal absences through supervisor training Type of project: PhD Supervisor: A/Prof Venerina Johnston Project description: Line supervisors are important in the return to work of injured workers. Based on identified competencies required by supervisors to better support workers returning to work after an injury, a training program will be developed and implemented in high risk industries. It is believed that this training will impact supervisor’s knowledge, confidence and behaviours related to return to work and have downstream impact on the number and duration of workers compensation injuries.

Title: Early triage of workers with musculoskeletal injuries to reduce disability for work Type of project: PhD Supervisor: A/Prof Venerina Johnston Project description: We know that early intervention for the management of musculoskeletal injuries is associated with faster return to work. This project will investigate innovative models of early intervention such as telephone triage and workplace based participatory approach to early intervention for the prevention of work disability for those with a musculoskeletal problem.

Title: Promoting self-management for work following a musculoskeletal injury Type of project: PhD Supervisor: A/Prof Venerina Johnston Project description: Returning to work after a workplace injury can be difficult and take longer than expected for some people. This project will explore using a specifically developed App to engage, educate and enable individuals to return to work and function following a work-related musculoskeletal injury.

Title:  Understanding the effects of standing at work on musculoskeletal symptoms Type of project: PhD Supervisor: A/Prof Venerina Johnston and Dr Michelle Smith Project description:   Industry is installing sit-stand workstations for office workers to mitigate the negative health effects of sedentary work. However, for some people prolonged standing at work is associated with lower back pain, hip pain, lower extremity and foot pain. In other circumstances, individuals are transitioning to sit-stand workstations because of musculoskeletal pain. There are multiple projects within this topic which will investigate kinematic, kinetic, ergonomic set-up, and other factors that may be associated with the development or resolution of symptoms in workers who transition to a sit-stand workstation.

Title: Educational innovations in cardiorespiratory physiotherapy Type of Project: MPhil / PhD Supervisor: Dr Allision Mandrusiak Project Description: Dr Mandruisak has potential projects available aimed to improve student performance and use innovative teaching technologies such as standardised patients to teach clinical skills in the cardiorespiratory physiotherapy context, from paediatric to geriatric patient populations. She also has projects aimed to investigate the effect of exercise on cardiac and respiratory conditions across the lifespan.

Title: Tele rehabilitation for remote physiotherapy assessment and treatment Type of Project: MPhil / PhD Supervisor: Assoc Professor Trevor Russell Project Description: There is a growing need for tele rehabilitation services to deliver medical services including physiotherapy practice. Projects are available that aim to validate remote assessment practices, undertake controlled trials of tele rehabilitation interventions including rehabilitation in orthopaedics.

Title: Understanding impairments and management of lower limb musculoskeletal injuries Type of Project:  MPhil / PhD Supervisor:   Dr Michelle Smith Project Description:  Dr Smith has several projects available in the field of musculoskeletal physiotherapy. These projects investigate postural and motor control changes associated with acute and recurrent lower limb injuries and lower limb osteoarthritis, and the effect of physiotherapy management on impairments, return to sport/function and recurrence.

Title: Pain, tendinopathies and orthoses Type of Project: MPhil / PhD Supervisor: Professor Bill Vicenzino Project Description: Prof Vicenzino has several projects available that encompass tendinopathy, pain mechanisms in musculoskeletal conditions, hip and knee pain and foot orthoses.

Project type:  PhD or MPhil Supervisor:  Dr Tony Angwin Project Titles:    

• Investigating the brain mechanisms that underpin how white noise impacts cognition, language processing and/or learning using EEG
• Language processing and word learning in aphasia

Project type:  PhD Supervisor:  Professor David Copland Project Titles:    

• Using functional and structural MRI to predict aphasia recovery and treatment response
• Clinical implementation of a comprehensive aphasia program
• Cost effectiveness of aphasia therapy
• Co-design of aphasis centre services
• Individual factors predicting aphasia recovery and treatment response

Project type:  PhD or MPhil Supervisor:  Dr Anne J Hill Project Titles:    

• Developing a roadmap for the successful implementation of telerehabilitation into clinical practice in speech-language pathology: Opportunities, barriers and facilitators.
• The development and evaluation of web-based therapy tools for the telerehabilitation treatment of adult neurogenic communication disorders.
• The development and evaluation of therapy tools for use on mobile technologies and their telerehabilitation application in the management of adult neurogenic communication

Project type:  PhD or MPhil Supervisor:  Dr Anne E Hill Project Titles:    

• Benchmarking of student clinical performance for quality improvement
• The use of peer learning models
• The application of mobile technologies in clinical learning
• Student learning in intensive fluency clinics

Project type:  PhD or MPhil Supervisor:  Dr Tanya Rose Project Titles:    

• Equipping caregivers to facilitate early child language development in everyday settings: Exploring applications of tele-practice
• Comparing parent child interactions when reading e-books and paper book
• Engagement with early childhood educators and child health nurses to improve child language outcomes
• Speech pathology student learning outcomes following participation in an intensive early language therapy program
• I’ve never heard the word ‘aphasia’! Does the provision of accessible aphasia information throughout the continuum of care make a difference?
• “My child can’t be the only young person to have had a stroke”: Speech pathology services for younger people living with aphasia

Project type:  PhD or MPhil Supervisor:  Dr Nerina Scarinci Project Titles:    

• The effect of communication disorders and delays in children on parents and other family members and the implementation of family-centred care to address these impacts
• Habilitation outcomes for children with hearing impairment (cochlear implants and hearing aids) and the impact of habilitation on parents and families

Project type:  PhD or MPhil Supervisor:  Professor Deborah Theodoros Project Titles:    

• The implementation of telehealth as a service delivery model in  management of communication disorders in adults and children
• Treatment of dysarthria

Project type:  PhD or MPhil Supervisor:   Prof Liz Ward Project Titles:    

• Head and Neck Cancer: Speech and swallowing management – optimising recovery & outcomes
• Dysphagia: all aspects including assessment, treatment, prognosis & outcomes
• Burns, Trauma and Critical Care Research (including tracheostomy and ventilation dependent populations) – speech and swallowing outcomes
• Telehealth applications for dysphagic populations
• Changing models of care and extended/expanded scope

An 80,000 word PhD thesis would take 9 hours to present. Their time limit... 3 minutes.

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Thesis/Design Project (METR4911)

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Undergraduate

Faculties are the major organisational units with responsibility for academic programs. Faculties may have a number of sub-units called schools. The head of a faculty is called an Executive Dean." class="tooltip">Faculty

Engineering, Architecture & Information Technology

Schools are responsible for teaching, research and interaction with professional organisations. Course coordinators and lecturers generally work in schools." class="tooltip">Schools

Elec Engineering, Comp Science, Mech & Mine Engineering School

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Two Semesters

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General contact hours 2 Hours/ Week

Final year Mechatronic Engineering students only.

Assessment methods

Quiz, Project Proposal, Seminar, Demonstration, Thesis.

Course enquiries

Dr Konstanty Bialkowski ([email protected])

Current course offerings

Please Note: Course profiles marked as not available may still be in development.

Course description

(May commence Sem 2) Thesis/design project on topic in mechatronic engineering. Students commencing in Semester 1 enrol in METR4911 for Semester 1 (Part A) and Semester 2 (Part B); students commencing in Semester 2 enrol in METR4912 for Semester 2 (Part A) and the following Semester 1 (Part B).

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Architectural analysis of Australian Lebanese homemakers recognised with UQ Dean’s Award

Dr Maram Shaweesh’s insightful research into the homemaking practices of the Australian Lebanese community has been recognised with a 2023 UQ Dean’s Award for Outstanding Higher Degree by Research Theses , announced in February 2024.

Titled “Making Home in the Suburb: An Architectural Analysis of Everyday Life in the Australian Lebanese House,” Dr Shaweesh’s thesis builds knowledge about Australian Lebanese family types and domestic behaviours in the Australian context, which she says is much needed in the move towards inclusive housing in Australia.

“The ways in which Australian Lebanese participants use, adapt and design their suburban houses broadens our understanding of housing needs and aspirations in Australia,” Dr Shaweesh says.

“This thesis demonstrates the value of investigating everyday life to understand the housing diversity that Australians need, and the housing diversity that Australians generate, beyond quantitative measures.”

The research collected original data on the spatial layout of houses, and the way in which Australian Lebanese families accommodate their everyday domestic lives in these homes. The research methodology not only facilitated the collection of original data, but also provided rare insights on the everyday domestic life of an ethnic minority group.

“The Australian Lebanese community’s unique culture adds to the variety of the Australian way of life. To support accommodating the Australian Lebanese lifestyle in the suburb, the participants design and adapt to change their housing to cater for their needs, which makes them active contributors to the Australian domestic architecture.”

Dr Shaweesh, a qualitative researcher, says that making Australia home is not only a matter of choosing the location of a permanent residence, but also an ongoing process that aims to “create the feeling of being at home.” She says home is both a social and a spatial experience, and that these social and spatial homemaking practices take place at various scales, including that of the suburban house.

Dr Shaweesh’s focus on this research area began with her strong interest in how domestic spaces are “powerful” in expressing identities, cultures, challenges, memories and aspirations. “I observed the presence of extended families, large and frequent family gatherings, neighbours chatting with their mother language over the fence, and traditional plants dominating the backyards,” she says.

“I chose to focus on the Australian Lebanese community due to their rich history of settlement in Australia, dating back to the 1880s. The contributions of migrant communities to domestic architecture, from a cultural perspective, are not yet fully explored, and there is still much more to research.”

Dr Shaweesh, previously an Associate Lecturer and Sessional Academic in the School of Architecture, Design and Planning, is now a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the UQ Institute for Social Science Research. She is working on several research projects with a wide range of aims, all directed toward addressing new and emerging challenges facing Australian society.

Her interdisciplinary research spans several humanities and spatial disciplines, including architecture, housing adequacy, migration, multiculturalism, everyday encounters in the Australian suburb, urban design, and young people's experiences in urban spaces.

She says completing her PhD was a “long yet rewarding journey,” and she is grateful to have been surrounded by a “great circle of supportive colleagues” at UQ.

“I am deeply thankful for the unwavering support and enthusiasm of my advisors, Dr Kelly Greenop, Dr Silvia Micheli and Dr Timothy O'Rourke, towards my research project. I appreciate the valuable feedback provided by the examiners and reviewers throughout my candidature milestones,” she says.

“I'm also grateful to my family for their constant support, as well as to my PhD peers for being always there.”

Dr Shaweesh’s advice for other HDR candidates is to take a break when you need it, and expand your experiences through diverse research and teaching activities while still working on your thesis, which she says provides valuable opportunities for future employment.

The UQ Dean’s Award for Outstanding Higher Degree by Research Theses gives formal recognition to outstanding PhD and MPhil graduates who have been commended by their thesis examiners – fewer than 10% of PhD and MPhil graduates are recognised this way each year.

All images by Dr Maram Shaweesh.

From algae to seagrass to shellfish. How can renewable marine blue-biomass reduce the carbon footprint of the building industry?

Creating safe streets for women and girls

• From algae to seagrass to shellfish. How can renewable marin...

UoB Three Minute Thesis Final 2024 (In-Person)

Join us for the finals of the University of Birmingham's annual Three Minute Thesis (3MT) competition!

Date and time

Alan Walters Building (R29 on campus map) G03 Lecture Theatre 1

About this event

The university graduate school supports postgraduates at the university of birmingham. we offer a variety of academic, social and wellbeing activities throughout the year. you can find out more about the events we put on for uob's postgraduate community here ., university of birmingham three minute thesis finals.

An 80,000 word thesis would take 9 hours to present. Their time limit…3 minutes.

The University Graduate School is delighted to invite all University of Birmingham staff and students (Undergraduate, Postgraduate Taught and Research) to join us for the Birmingham 3MT Finals, where our finalists will compete to deliver the best research presentation in three minutes with just one slide! This annual competition is a great chance to hear about the exciting research being done by postgraduate researchers at UoB. All talks are designed to be for non-specialists, so no prior knowledge required.

Hear our finalists' presentations, join us for a hot drink while the judging panel deliberates, and hear us announce our winners! Plus, a first-look at our presentations before we open our public vote to decide the People's Choice Winner!

Wednesday 15th May, 3pm-5pm BST – the Alan Walters Building ( R29 on the campus map ), G03 (Lecture Theatre 1).

What is 3MT?

Three Minute Thesis (3MT®) is a research communication competition developed by the University of Queensland, in which doctoral researchers have just three minutes to deliver an engaging presentation on their thesis topic, its originality and its significance. The concept has developed rapidly, and 3MT competitions are now held in over 900 universities and institutions across more than 80 countries worldwide.

The winning postgraduate researcher will go on to compete in the Vitae’s national 3MT competition and the Universitas 21 international competition.

Check out the winners from our 3MT 2023 competition:

3MT 2023 winner: Sarah Rockowitz (College of Life and Environmental Sciences, Psychology)

3MT 2023 runner-up: Katrina Jan (College of Arts and Law, English Literature)

Any other questions, please contact Dr Elizabeth O'Connor [email protected]

A group of our 2023 finalists!

Our 3MT 2023 Winner

Our 3MT 2023 Runner-up

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Dissertation

Module description.

A good dissertation is a core element of a successful Masters degree. It equips you with key, transferable research skills that will be invaluable to your career whether you decide to take up PhD research or not. A dissertation is not a long essay. It has a certain number of core components that must be evident to varying degrees. Like a good essay, it must demonstrate research skills, independent learning, good organization of complex material, clarity and erudite expression. This module will help you structure that process of writing a dissertation and it will equip you well for further research, at PhD level or in professional employment. So, the skills you learn on this module will be integral to your future careers. You will learn how to devise a manageable research question, locate your ideas in existing debates, how to conduct a literature review and plan the research, and how to develop a short research proposal and write extended pieces of work. Nevertheless, a Masters dissertation will be driven primarily by your own interests, the questions you devise and the material you want to research. It will be a mark of your own initiative, independence and inquisitiveness. You should expect to start thinking about and working on your dissertation immediately on beginning the Programme. Good early preparation will stand you in good stead later.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The aims of this module are to equip you with the professional skills needed to conduct an extended piece of research and writing. You will have the time and guidance to engage with core debates across the sub-disciplines of politics, equipping you well with practical skills and contributing to your intellectual development. The aims of this module are also to enable you to write an extended piece of independent writing, around a topic of your own choosing, in communication with an academic supervisor in your chosen area. It will allow you to demonstrate depth and breadth of knowledge in a particular subject area of professional or intellectual interest. The dissertation will be a mark of your ability to express yourself in writing.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

Ilo: module-specific skills.

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Demonstrate knowledge in depth of a specialised subject area.
• 2. Design an individual research programme, incorporating appropriate social science research methods.
• 3. Collate and analyse subject-specific information from a range of appropriate sources.

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

• 4. Develop the skills requisite to conducting an extended piece of academic writing, including: devising a research question, proposal and literature review; organizing and summarizing key literatures, debates, ideas and controversies.
• 5. Locate your own research in key disciplinary debates, controversies and developments.
• 6. Assimilate and critically analyse data from an appropriate range of sources, from policy papers to canonical texts in the history of political thought.
• 7. Develop a cogent argument.
• 8. Communicate complex information and ideas effectively in writing.

ILO: Personal and key skills

• 9. Use IT for information retrieval and presentation.
• 10. Manage own work.

Syllabus plan

At least four supervision meetings: one to initiate the dissertation followed by three meetings to give academic guidance including specific feedback on draft work.

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods, formative assessment, summative assessment (% of credit), details of summative assessment, details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral), indicative learning resources - basic reading.

G King, R Keohane and S Verba, Designing Social Inquiry (Princeton UP, 1994);

D Burton (ed), Research Training for Social Scientists: A Handbook for Postgraduate Researchers (Sage, 2000).

I. Furseth and E.L. Everett, Doing Your Master′s Dissertation: From Start to Finish (Sage, 2013).

D. Ridley, The literature review: a step-by-step guide for students (Sage, 2008).

B. Lucinda, Writing successful reports and dissertations (Sage, 2015).

P.C. Shon, How to read journal articles in the social sciences: a very practical guide for students (Sage, 2015).

M.S. Felix and I. Smith, A Practical Guide to Dissertation and Thesis Writing (Cambridge Scholars Publisher, 2019).

Subject-specific reading will varying according to research topic.

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