BUS8201 Masters Dissertation A

BUS	8201	74998	1, 2008	EXT	Masters Dissertation A	2.00	Toowoomba
Subject	Cat-nbr	Class	Term	Mode	Description	Units	Campus

Academic group:	FOBUS
Academic org:	FOBUSN
Student contribution band:	3A
ASCED code:	080399

Staffing
Other requisites
Synopsis
Objectives
Topics
Texts
Reference materials
Student workload
Assessment details
Important assessment information
Assessment notes
Production date
PDF version

STAFFING

Examiner: Raj Gururajan
Moderator: Ronel Erwee

OTHER REQUISITES

Students are required to have access to a personal computer, e-mail capabilities and Internet access to USQConnect. Current details of computer requirements can be found at http://www.usq.edu.au/business/aboutfob.htm

SYNOPSIS

The Dissertation comprises the research and writing of a thesis (maximum of 40,000 words). Students examine a professional area of interest, usually related to their work environment and are assisted by one or more supervisors with appropriate background. Each candidate for the applied research project is required to submit a research proposal to the Head of Department and Faculty Research and Higher Degrees Committee for approval and endorsement by the Dean prior to the commencement of research. Most topics are drawn from the candidate's work experience and interest; however it is recognised that the work of some candidates is not necessarily suited for that purpose and the Head of Department and Faculty Research and Higher Degrees Committee then considers topics drawn from elsewhere if necessary. The dissertation will be a significant piece of independently conducted and written research. To successfully complete the dissertation, students will be required to select a research topic, develop a proposal, carry out supervised research on the chosen topic using an appropriate research method, and present and defend the results.

OBJECTIVES

On successful completion of this course students should be able to:

1.: identify suitable research topics
2.: undertake independent research
3.: demonstrate appropriate communication skills
4.: report research outcomes.

TOPICS

	Description	Weighting (%)
1.	Topics and their weighting will be determined for each student at the beginning of the semester of offer. Topics will reflect each student's proposed dissertation.	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).

Summers, J & Smith, B 2006, Communication skills handbook: how to succeed in written and oral communication, 2nd edn, John Wiley & Sons, Milton, Queensland.

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.

2002, Style manual for authors, editors and printers, 6th edn, Wiley, Australia.

Davis, D 2005, Business research for decision making, 6th edn, Thomson/Brooks/Cole, Belmont, California.

Lester, JD Sr & Lester, JD Jr 2007, Writing research papers: a complete guide, 12th edn, Pearson/Longman, New York.

Zikmund, WG 2003, Business research methods, 7th edn, Thomson South/Western, Cincinnati, Ohio.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ACTIVITY	HOURS
Directed Study	340.00

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

Description		Marks out of	Wtg(%)	Due date	Notes
DISSERTATION		1.00	100.00	23 Jul 2007	(see note 1)

NOTES

1.: Examiner to advise submission date.

IMPORTANT ASSESSMENT INFORMATION

Attendance requirements:
If you are an international student in Australia you are advised to attend all classes at your campus. For all other students, 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.
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
Not applicable.
Penalties for late submission of required work:
Not applicable.
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To obtain a final grade for the dissertation, students must obtain a Satisfactory Progress (SP) for all four courses: BUS8201, BUS8202, BUS8203 and BUS8204 and the dissertation must be certified by two external Examiners as satisfactory for the Masters degree to be awarded. Upon receipt of a grade of SP for this course students must enrol in the second course BUS8202 Masters Dissertation B to continue their dissertation.
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
The final grade for students will be allocated to the course BUS8204 Masters Dissertation D. Depending on progress, a grade of either Satisfactory Progress (SP) or Result Not Available (RN) will be awarded in this course.
Examination information:
There is no examination in this course.
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
Not applicable.
University Regulations:
Students should read USQ Regulations 5.1 Definitions, 5.6 Assessment, and 5.10 Student Academic Misconduct for further information and to avoid actions which might contravene university regulations. These regulations can be found at http://www.usq.edu.au/corporateservices/calendar/part5.htm. Students should also read the Faculty of Business Policies and Procedures which can be found at http://www.usq.edu.au/business/aboutfob.htm.

ASSESSMENT NOTES

(i) The due date for a dissertation chapter is the date by which a student must despatch the chapter to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the Examiner. (ii) Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. This must be produced within 24 hours if required by the Examiner. (iii) The Examiner may grant an extension of the due date of an assessment in extenuating circumstances. (iv) The Examiner will normally only accept assessments that have been written, typed or printed on paper-based media. (v) The Examiner will not accept submission of assessments by facsimile.

This version produced 28 Aug 2009.