Course:MECH493

Introduction to Academic Research
MECH 493
Section:
Instructor:	Elizabeth Croft
Email:	ecroft@mech.ubc.ca
Office:	CEME 2059
Office Hours:	n/a
Class Schedule:
Classroom:
Important Course Pages
	Syllabus
	Lecture Notes
	Assignments
	Course Discussion

Learning Objectives:

1. To gain experience of the practice of academic research
2. To understand the difference in thinking style required when doing research compared to when doing coursework studies. This thinking involves the creation of new knowledge rather than the acquisition of existing knowledge.
3. To gain a deeper knowledge of a specialized area of interest.
4. To gain personal insights into the practice of research to provide data for student decisions regarding future study/career choices.

Prerequisites

80% average in third year

Research Project

A suitable research project will require the student to use and exercise mature thinking and research skills. The student should use their judgement, review the relevant literature, plan and conduct experimental work, reflect and analyze results, formulate conclusion and produce a concise written report. Overall the project should provide an intellectually challenging experience, that is, not be routine or mundane.

Course Timeline, Deliverables and Grading:

Students are expected to devote approximately 20% of their time, or 8-10 h/wk, to their thesis project (one term); if project is performed over two terms, weekly commitment may be 4-5h.

Deliverable	Deadlines for single term	Deadlines for two terms	Submit to:	Grading Weight
Proposal Abstract* (~1 paragraph)	Prior to term or first week	Prior to term or first week	Coordinator	0%
Short (Draft) Proposal (~1 page)	Second week of term	Third week of term	Coordinator & Supervisor	0%
Research Proposal (~10 pages)	5th week of term	8th week of term	Supervisor	25%
Thesis (~20 pages)	Start of Dec exam period	Start of April exam period	Supervisor	65%
Logbook*	with thesis	with thesis	Supervisor	10%
Web Summary (100-200 words + pic)	with thesis	with thesis	Coordinator	0%

• Abstract: student identifies potential research supervisor; student submits short abstract (~1-2 paragraphs) outlining scope of project by email to course coordinator; proposed supervisor confirms to course coordinator (email okay) willingness to supervise
• Note: students are expected to meet with their supervisor weekly and to document these meetings in their logbook.

Research Proposal (developed with project supervisor)

The students will prepare a research proposal with the help of their supervisors. The proposal should be no more than 10 pages in length. The proposal should have the following headings (or similar).

• Title (or Cover) Page – does not count toward the total page count.
• Abstract
• Table of Contents
• Introduction (including Statement of Problem, Purpose of Research, and Significance of Research)
• Background (including Literature Survey)
• Description of Proposed Research (including Method or Approach)
• List of References
• Budget and resources required

Research Thesis

The final research thesis should have the following sections (or similar):

1. Introduction
2. Literature Review
3. Methodology
4. Results
5. Discussion
6. Conclusions (and Recommendations if required)

Instructions for Professors Wishing to Advertise Project Ideas

Please send me a brief (100-200 word) abstract of the project prior to the start of term (ideally about 2-4 weeks in advance). I will collect the project descriptions and email them to the students around August 15th for first term/whole year projects and December 15th for second term projects.