Honours Study @ MWAC - Atmospheric Science

What is it?

Honours in Atmospheric Science is a one year program designed to introduce undergraduate students to the techniques and principles of original research and to professional-level coursework topics in atmospheric science. The Honours course is designed to extend and deepen the student's knowledge of the fundamentals of the principles governing the dynamics of the atmosphere and oceans.

What does it involve?

The Science Honours program requires the completion of 48 points of study, consisting coursework, an essay and a research project. In addition, Honours students are required to attend weekly atmospheric science seminars during the Honours year.

Coursework (20 points) - This consists of five 4-point lecture topics of two hours lecture time per week (there are no tutorials). The lecture topics are given in semester 1. Recent topics include M4151 Waves in Fluids, M4511 Boundary Layer Meteorology, M4561 Atmospheric Modelling, M4571 Advanced Dynamical Meteorology, and M4581 Steady Circulations of the Atmosphere and Oceans. Students are also required to attend the Synoptic Meteorology Laboratory held at the Bureau of Meteorology during the mid-year break. The current lecture topics are detailed in the School of Mathematical Sciences' Honours handbook

Essay (4 points) - This component consists of a critical review of the relevant literature for an aspect of atmospheric science. The aim is to develop written presentation to both a specialist and a non-specialist scientific audience to give the ability to write and present scientific work in a potentially publishable way. An oral presentation of the essay takes place at the end of the first semester.

Research Project (24 points) - Students conduct an original research project and report findings as a thesis and give a 25-minute oral presentation of your results to the School. Your supervisor whom you are expected to meet on a weekly basis will supervise the thesis research. The Honours thesis is a training ground for learning, and demonstrating mastery of, research skills, and it should be possible for a student to get a high mark for an outstanding command of methodology and its application to the content area of the thesis, even if the topic has been already researched in the literature. Thus the kind of originality expected would be in terms of new insights into a possibly well-established area, rather than a genuinely original research study. It is perfectly acceptable for a student to obtain null results. The good students will find imaginative and theoretically sound ways of interpreting their results.

For further information on essay and project topics, please refer to the School of Mathematical Sciences' Honours Handbook and see the list of past thesis topics .

Am I eligible to do Honours?

Students who have successfully qualified for course 0050 Bachelor of Science, or equivalent, with a distinction grade average (70 per cent) or above in 24 points of studies in relevant units at level three may apply to enter. These 24 points of studies will normally include at least 18 points of units in the area of study in which they wish to undertake Honours. Students who have obtained an average of 65-69 per cent in their main third-year sequence may also be eligible for consideration if they have also obtained an average of at least 65 per cent in their remaining level three units and the relevant head of school supports their application. Students in science double degrees must have completed at least 144 points of their studies in that course, including all of the science requirements in the double-degree, before they may apply for entry to Honours.

Atmospheric Science Honours Scholarships

Honours Scholarships are offered to all third year students who have obtained an average of 85% or above in 24 points of relevant 3rd year units as required for honours entry. For students who have received an average of at least 90% in these units, the value of this scholarship is $2,500. For students who have received an average of 85 - 89%, the value of this scholarship is $2,000.

ARC Centre of Excellence Honours Scholarships: We will offer up to two $5000 scholarships for Honours students, on a competitive basis. The scholarships will be awarded to the two highest achieving eligible students based on academic merit. Students must have obtained a weighted average mark of 85 per cent or above in 24 credit points of relevant mathematics, physics, engineering or atmospheric science units at level three, and be admitted to an honours program supervised by a staff member within the Atmospheric Science area of the School of Mathematical Sciences. To be eligible, applicants must be: enrolled in an Honours degree in Atmospheric Science in the School of Mathematical Sciences and be a full time student.

How do I apply?

• Obtain an application form from the School Office (Room 406, Building 28) or from the Faculty of Science (Building 19).
• Discuss your options the Atmospheric Science Honours Coordinator and complete Section A and B of the application form.
• Return the completed application form to either the School of Mathematical Sciences (Room 406, Building 28) by Thursday 12 November 2009 or the Science Faculty Office (Building 19) by Friday 20 November 2009 (after consultation with the Honours Coorindator).

Successful applicants will be notified by the Faculty of Science during mid to late December 2009 or early January 2010.

What if I have other questions?

• Contact the Atmospheric Science Honours Coordinator: Richard Wardle.
• Contact the School of Mathematical Sciences' Honours Coordinator: Simon Clarke.

Honours with MWAC can also be taken in Climatology or, go back to Honours Study@MWAC