FET 8660 Masters Project 1

STAFFING:

REQUISITES:

RATIONALE:

An important outcome of study at the Masters level is for students to be able to plan and execute independent projects which consolidate and build upon and/or apply the capabilities developed through their programs of study. A 'capstone' project undertaken at, or towards, the end of the program is a suitable venue for demonstrating these capabilities. This course enables students to synthesise the knowledge and skills developed in earlier courses of their programs, into an approved professional project or academic paper focused on a key aspect of their areas of interest/specialisation.

SYNOPSIS:

Learners will, with guidance from a member of academic staff, plan and execute an independent project which is clearly related to their overall program of study, especially to their area of major study. It is envisaged that normally this one-unit project will not involve formal research but it should include an investigative or developmental/evaluative component with clear evidence of application of the knowledge developed in the student's masters program. The project should lead to the preparation of a substantial written report presented at an appropriately scholarly standard. This report may be presented in the format of a paper for publication in an approved academic or professional journal. Project reports must reflect mastery of the content of current literature and of knowledge and skills developed by the learner in his/her program of study. This course will operate on the basis of frequent individual consultation and feedback between the student and the staff member nominated as the study supervisor. Before enrolling in the course students are advised to discuss the nature, processes and anticipated outcomes of the proposed study topic or activity with a faculty member who might act as their study supervisor. Project proposals and on-going implementation will be critically reviewed through learner-supervisor ongoing interaction and negotiation. NOTES: 1. This course (FET8660) is available through INTERNET DELIVERY ONLY. There are NO print materials for this course. 2. For details of the technical requirements and accessing Internet study materials, please consult the following URL: http://usqconnect.usq.edu.au. IMPORTANT NOTE: Working with Children: State law in Queensland requires that all adults (including university students, pre-service educators, trainers, vocational teachers, industry educators) working with children under the age of 18, in the state of Queensland*, obtain approval before commencing such work. Many education courses include a practical component (professional experience, project work, research, assessment etc..) that may require engagement with children under the age of 18. It is your responsibility to ensure that you possess a current suitability card (Blue Card) before commencing any practical components of this course. DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE WITH CHILDREN UNDER 18 UNLESS YOU POSSESS A CURRENT 'BLUE CARD'. For further information: http://www.childcomm.qld.gov.au/employment/bluecard/informationSheets.html. *If you are undertaking practical experience outside the state of Queensland, Australia you should check local requirements.

OBJECTIVES:

On successful completion of this course students will have:

1. demonstrated the ability to plan and implement an in-depth, independent investigation or other such scholarly activity focused on an issue or topic of significance to the student's field of study in his or her masters program
2. demonstrated the ability to report the outcomes of that investigation in the form of either a formal report or paper for publication which reflects appropriate academic standards of scholarship and presentation.

TOPICS:

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).

There are no prescribed texts in this course.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

In most studies supervisors provide students with a reference list and assist them in developing their own lists.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

Letter grades will be used in this course and will be displayed in the Online Gradebook. The project proposal is designed to provide early feedback to ensure students have an appropriate project for this course.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

1. Attendance requirements:
   There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility 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 the assessment items satisfactorily, students must obtain at least a grade of C- for assessment item 2.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   In this course, if students are more than two weeks late with the submission of any assessment task, they are required to contact the course examiner, who may, at his/her discretion, grant a further extension.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade, a student must achieve at least a grade of C- for assessment item 2.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The course examiner is responsible for the awarding of final grades for this course. Final project reports/papers developed for this course (FET8660) will be examined initially by the student's supervisor. The supervisor will make a recommendation of a grade to the course examiner who will normally accept the recommended grade once all the requirements for the course are completed. Where the course examiner has any doubts about the appropriateness of the grade recommended by the supervisor, which cannot be resolved by negotiation with the supervisor, the project will be assessed by a second assessor nominated by the course examiner in consultation with the supervisor. The course examienr will then decide the grade taking into account both assessments.
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

OTHER REQUIREMENTS:

1. Students will require access to e-mail and Internet access to USQConnect for this course.
2. Students enrolling in WEB courses MUST have ongoing convenient and reliable access to the Internet in order to access course materials and participate in activities that will affect assessment. The levels of equipment required may change from time to time, with the most recent specification listed at http://www.usq.edu.au/currentstudents/computingstandards/default.htm. You can check whether your computer system meets these requirements from USQAssist (http://usqassist.usq.edu.au/).
3. IMPORTANT NOTE: Working with Children: State law in Queensland requires that all adults (including university students, pre-service educators, trainers, vocational teachers, industry educators) working with children under the age of 18, in the state of Queensland*, obtain approval before commencing such work. Many education courses include a practical component (professional experience, project work, research, assessment etc..) that may require engagement with children under the age of 18. It is your responsibility to ensure that you possess a current suitability card (Blue Card) before commencing any practical components of this course. DO NOT PARTICIPATE IN ANY PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE WITH CHILDREN UNDER 18 UNLESS YOU POSSESS A CURRENT 'BLUE CARD'. For further information: http://www.childcomm.qld.gov.au/employment/bluecard/informationSheets.html. *If you are undertaking practical experience outside the state of Queensland, Australia you should check local requirements.