This course is the first of two parts and is undertaken prior to CVEN4033 Higher Honours Thesis B. Successful completion of Parts A and B are required to obtain an honours degree. The higher honours thesis may describe a higher level directed research work on an approved topic and will be completed under the guidance and supervision of a member of the academic staff. The research may involve a directed laboratory or field investigation, analytical or numerical modelling, a detailed design or such other individual research project approved by the Head of School. All projects must include a literature review. Part A involves the satisfactory formulation of the project, thesis outline, completion of the literature review, commencement of a significant portion of the research, and a presentation of ‘in progress’ research to staff and peers.