SCI 3301 Science Project

Subject Cat-nbr Class Term Mode Description Units Campus
SCI 3301 34361 2, 2004 ONC Science Project 1.00 TWMBA
Academic group: FOSCI
Academic org: FOS002
Student contribution band: 2
ASCED code: 019999

Contents


STAFFING:

Examiner: Tania van den Ancker
Moderator: Alfio Parisi



OTHER-REQUISITES:

Pre-requisite: Completion of 2nd Level

RATIONALE:

The project provides students with an opportunity to carry out an in-depth study of a topic relevant to at least one Major Study area. As a third level course, it must be conducted with the appropriate depth of academic rigour.

SYNOPSIS:

This course provides students with an opportunity to carry out research work in a situation which resembles, as closely as possible, that in which they may find themselves when they begin a career in science. Students are required to thoroughly research and plan their project in consultation with an academic supervisor and submit a detailed report on completion of the project. A large proportion of the project will be laboratory or field oriented.

OBJECTIVES:

On completion of this course students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate an awareness of modern information search strategies and techniques, including the use of computer-based literature searching, if applicable;
  2. evaluate and relate previous research with a new project;
  3. demonstrate knowledge of the research methods, theory and techniques relevant to the project undertaken in the course;
  4. apply a problem solving approach in undertaking a minor research project;
  5. demonstrate research skills and techniques appropriate to the project undertaken;
  6. demonstrate competence in writing a report which summarises previous work relevant to the project, explains the method used in the project, and summarises and evaluates the results of the project;
  7. present a seminar on the research work completed.

TOPICS:


Description Weighting (%)
1. Each student will normally select a topic from a range of topics proposed by staff. Alternatively students may propose their own topic and submit it to the course examiner for approval.
 100.00

TEXT and MATERIALS required to be PURCHASED or accessed:

ALL textbooks and materials are available for purchase from USQ BOOKSHOP (unless otherwise stated). Orders may be placed via secure internet, free fax 1800642453, phone 07 46312742 (within Australia), or mail. Overseas students should fax +61 7 46311743, or phone +61 7 46312742. For costs, further details, and internet ordering, use the 'Textbook Search' facility at http://bookshop.usq.edu.au click 'Semester', then enter your 'Course Code' (no spaces).

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.

Other texts or reading materials specific to the topic may be recommended by the examiner and/or supervisor when the project topic has been finalised.

, , Guide to Finding Journal Articles, Library Guide, Vol 4, no.87.

Refercing Internet Resources302 (Available: http://www.usq.edu.au/library/resources/genref/harvardonlinereferencing.htm) .

(Using the Harvard Style)

Australian Government Publishing Service 2002, Style Manual: For Authors, Editors and Printers, 6th edn, Wiley, Australia.

Barrass, R 1978, Scientists Must Write, Chapman & Hall, London.

Day, RA 1995, How to Write & Publish a Scientific Paper, 4th edn, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.
(808.0665 Day)

Farr, AD 1985, Science Writing for Beginners, Blackwell Scientific, Oxford.
(805.0665021 FAR)

Leaver, RH and Thomas, TR 1974, Analysis and Presentation of Experimental Results, MacMillan, London.

Library Guide Referencing the Harvard System112 (Available: http://www.usq.edu.au/library/resources/pathfind/1g-11.htm) .

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ACTIVITY HOURS
Project Work 100.00
Report Writing 70.00


ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

Description Marks out of Wtg(%) Due date
PROGRESS REPORT 10.00 10.00 20 Jul 2004 (see note 1)
WORKBOOK 10.00 10.00 20 Jul 2004 (see note 2)
PROJECT REPORT 65.00 65.00 20 Jul 2004 (see note 3)
SEMINAR 15.00 15.00 20 Jul 2004 (see note 4)
PROJECT DESCRIPTION FORM 1.00 0.00 20 Jul 2004
NOTES:
1.
Examiner will advise of due date for Progress Report
2.
Examiner will advise the due date for Workbook.
3.
Examiner will advise the due date for Project Report.
4.
Examiner will advise date of Seminar

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

  1. Attendance requirements:
    It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
  2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
    To complete each of the assessment items satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each assessment item.
  3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
    If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 10% of the total marks available for the assignment will apply for each working day late.
  4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
    To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must submit all of the summative assessment items and achieve at least 50% of the available weighted marks for those items.
  5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
    The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.
  6. Examination information:
    There is no examination in this course.
  7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
    There will be no Deferred or Supplementary examinations in this course.
  8. University Regulations:
    Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6. Assessment, and 5.10 Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene University Regulations. These regulations can be found at the URL http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm or in the current USQ Handbook.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

9. PROJECT DESCRIPTION FORM - When a topic has been chosen a Project Description Form must be completed and submitted to the examiner for approval NO LATER THAN THE END OF WEEK 1. The student's project can be cancelled if this deadline is not met. Students should seek assistance from their proposed Project Supervisor when completing this form, and obtain their signature. On receipt of approval the student will complete the project using his own effort, with advice from the project supervisor and other staff. (NOTE: The project does not formally begin until the Examiner has signed the Project Description Form).
10. THE ROLE OF EXAMINER - The examiner will be responsible for all activities associated with administering the course. The examiner will only approve a student's enrolment upon submission of a completed and signed Project Description form. The examiner has final responsibility for the grading of marks.
11. THE ROLE OF THE PROJECT SUPERVISOR - Where appropriate the principal project supervisor should be a staff member of the Department of Biological & Physical Sciences. It is the examiner's responsibility to appoint and/or organise Associate or External Supervisors. The supervisor will provide advice and guidance to the student. The student and supervisor should by mutual agreement organise a schedule for consultation. The supervisor will be responsible for evaluating the progres report, seminar, workbook and final report. The supervisor may seek advice from other staff members to assist in their evaluation of the student.
12. PROJECT WORKBOOK - Each student must keep chronological records of all activities (results, methods, field trips, etc.) associated with the project in an A4 book. The level of record-keeping in the workbook must be such as to allow another student to be able to continue, review or develop the project at a later date. Also, remember that this workbook carries a portion of the marks for the course.
13. PROGRESS REPORT - Half-way through the prescribed time allowed for the project, students are required to submit a progress report on the project to the examiner. This report should contain: (a) The overall structure of the Project (see 15 below) with a clear indication that the relevant literature has been reviewed. Include a bibliography as well as references; (b) Details of methods used to date and evaluation of these methods; (c) Results obtained and a discussion of future work required to achieve all the aims of the project. At this time, the Supervisor and Student should decide if a revision of the Project Description Form is necessary.
14. SEMINAR - Students should allocate around 20 minutes for presentation and 5 minutes for question and answer time. Students should discuss with their supervisor their proposed seminar BEFORE the actual presentation. The examiner and/or moderator will grade the seminar in addition to the supervisor.
15. PROJECT REPORT - (a) Two (2) copies of the project report shall be submitted to the examiner on or before the deadline advised by the Examiner. (One becomes the Student's copy, the other the Supervisor's copy.) Students are urged to submit a draft report to their supervisor for comments before submitting the final report. The final report will be evaluated and therefore cannot be amended. (b) The copy shall be one and half-spaced typescript (except for references), on one side of A4 size paper. (c) Each page must be numbered consecutively (initial pages in roman numerals, appendix pages A1, A2....) and have margins of suitable dimensions for the chosen binding process. (d) The general layout or format of the report must be similar to that found in a scientific journal. (The library services unit have a number of guides to help you in writing your report. See the recommended reference material section.) If you are uncertain regarding the required format seek advice from your supervisor before starting the report. Your supervisor will be able to show you an example of a project report. In general, the report should contain the following main sections: the first sheet must contain the title, author's name, qualification for which the student is studying and the date of submission. Abstract (200 words or less), acknowledgements, table of contents, a list of figures and tables, introduction, materials and methods (including descriptions of field locations), results, discussion and conclusions, references, appendices. (e) The copy be bound in a manner consistent with the volume of material contained in the report. The minimum requirement is a temporary or spiral binding, available through the USQ Printery or Student Association.
16. INCOMPLETE GRADES - A final project report that is graded Incomplete (Make-up) may be re-submitted for grading only once at the discretion of the Supervisor (a copy of the requirements, possible final mark and completion date must be supplied to both the student and the examiner!) Students should therefore heed the supervisors suggestions for improvement or the final grade shall be a "fail". It will be necessary for students re-enrolling in the course to undertake a new topic for their project.
17. Projects which involve Animals or Human Subject will need to be considered by either the Animal Ethics Committee or the Ethics Committee for Research involving Human Subjects. (Reference: University Calendar 3.3.7-2 and 3.3.7-3).
18. The examiner of a course may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances.