SCI9104 Science Masters Project 4

Contents

• Staffing
• Rationale
• Synopsis
• Objectives
• Topics
• Reference materials
• Student workload
• Assessment details
• Important assessment information
• Assessment notes
• Production date
• PDF version

STAFFING

RATIONALE

This course is part of a supervised research project which provides opportunities for motivated and highly qualified students to undertake advanced study and to produce a research-based dissertation. Students develop the appropriate research skills and specialist knowledge which will enhance their career prospects or allow them to undertake further studies. The emphasis of the programme is on developing the appropriate knowledge and skills to undertake independent research and professional practice.

SYNOPSIS

This course and other courses with the course numbers in the range of SCI9101 to SCI9108 comprise the research component of the Master of Science. On completion of all of the courses students will have prepared and undertaken a supervised research project and prepared a dissertation for examination. Students will present at least one seminar annually as part of the requirements. The enrolment pattern in courses SCI9101 to SCI9108 will need to be established for each student on enrolment. Activities to be undertaken in each of the courses will be determined on an individual student basis by the student's supervisor.

OBJECTIVES

On successful completion of the courses SCI9101 to SCI9108 students will have:

1. identified their research topic (Supervisor's Report);
2. demonstrated their ability to proceed with the research topic (Supervisor's Report);
3. if appropriate, gained ethical clearance for their project (Supervisor's Report);
4. prepared their research proposal to their supervisor's satisfaction (Supervisor's Report);
5. demonstrated their ability to think analytically, critically and creatively about a chosen research topic and related issues within the area of specialisation chosen (Supervisor's Report);
6. demonstrated competence in each component of empirical research procedures, viz; identification and analysis of research problems, formulation of hypotheses, operationalised research procedures, collected relevant data, carried out appropriate analysis of data, interpreted results obtained, and drawn appropriate conclusions (Supervisor's Report);
7. competently written a dissertation based on the research project to communicate all aspects of the project to professional peers (Supervisor's Report);
8. presented one seminar per year to the Department of Biological and Physical Sciences, outlining the project aims and progress (Seminar).

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).

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.

To be determined by the student's supervisor.

STUDENT WORKLOAD REQUIREMENTS

ASSESSMENT DETAILS

NOTES

1.

Examiner to advise date of seminar.

2.

Examiner to advise date for Supervisor's Report.

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:
   Not applicable.
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   Not applicable.
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   The course will be graded as SP (Satisfactory Progress) or F (Fail). A grade of SP is required to allow progress to the next course in the sequence SCI9101 to SCI9108. To be awarded the grade of SP, a student must be assessed by their Supervisor as having made satisfactory progress against a set of objectives provided by the Supervisor and have presented, at a satisfactory standard, one seminar reporting on the scope and progress of the project work to the Department of Biological and Physical Sciences.
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   Not applicable.
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

This version produced 27 May 2008.