SCI 3301 Science Project

STAFFING:

REQUISITES:

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. Placements in this course depends on availability of a supervisor in the chosen area.

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 poster on the research work completed.

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 is no fixed text book for this course.

Such journals, monographs and other printed materials as are appropriate for the research topic chosen will be available at the library.

REFERENCE MATERIALS:

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.

Referencing Resources are available at http://www.usq.edu.au/library/infoabout/ref_guides/default.htm

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS:

ASSESSMENT DETAILS:

NOTES:

1.

Examiner will advise (via USQStudyDesk) of details for Progress Report

2.

Examiner will advise (via USQStudyDesk) the due date for Project Report.

3.

Examiner will advise (via USQStudyDesk) due date of Poster

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 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