The 12 rules of the honours thesis assessment process (according to the Faculty of Science guidelines):

1. There should be at least two examiners, the examining panel, for every thesis.
2. The examining panel should not include a supervisor (except in cases where the Dean has approved the inclusion of a supervisor as failure to do so could affect the expertise of the assessment).
3. At least one examiner should not be a specialist in the topic of the thesis.
4. Students must have had written descriptors of the marking criteria that will be used to assess their thesis. RSAA honours students find the marking criteria here.
5. There must be a clear and objective link between the written descriptors and the grades assigned.
6. Examiners must use the Faculty grade descriptors in providing a mark.
7. The examining panel will construct a brief written report on each thesis.
8. The examining panel will attempt to arrive at a consensus grade recommendation for the thesis.
9. Supervisors will be duly consulted by the examining panel or the examiners. The final recommendation on a grade by the panel should be made without the supervisor present (except in cases where the Dean has approved the inclusion of a supervisor as failure to do so could affect the expertise of the assessment).
10. Final marks for an overall honours grade and the components are arrived at in a meeting with all examiners present.
11. Special consideration of individual student circumstances is undertaken and documented according to University and Faculty policy: http://info.anu.edu.au/policies/Legislation/_Governance/Rules/Exam_The_Faculties_Rules.asp.
12. There should be some feedback to the student on the progress of the thesis by the middle of the year of studies.

All students will give a short talk on their project at the end of the Honours year. These will be held during the Feast of Facts time slot at RSAA. These talks will be held in late October / early November.

Marking Criteria for Theses