MSC8002 Research Project Dissertation

Staffing

Examiner: Richard Watson
Moderator: Stijn Dekeyser

Requisites

Pre-requisite: MSC8001

Rationale

An in-depth project and dissertation on a specialised research topic are necessary to prepare graduates for further research, applications and responsible jobs in Applied Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics or Science. This course, in conjunction with MSC8001, enables students to develop and use research capability and an advanced level of Applied Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics or Science skills.

Synopsis

This course forms the final part of the research training component of the Honours and Masters programs in the Faculty. From the foundation established in MSC8001, students will complete a selected project in Computer Science, Mathematics, Statistics or Science with the supervision of appropriate staff from the Faculty. The project will consist of review, research into and reporting of a well defined area and its applications.

Objectives

Topics

Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed

Reference materials

Student workload requirements

Assessment details

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. It is the students responsibility to maintain regular contact with their Supervisor according to a mutually agreed schedule.
   
   
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   To satisfactorily complete an assessment items, a student must obtain achieve at least 50% of the marks.
   
   
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   If students submit assignments after the due date without prior approval then a penalty of 1% of the total marks gained by the student 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 achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the courses MSC8001 and MSC8002.
   
   
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks/grades 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:
   As there are no examinations in this course, there will be no deferred or supplementary examinations.
   
   
8. University Student Policies:
   Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene University policies and practices. These policies can be found at http://policy.usq.edu.au/portal/custom/search/category/usq_document_policy_type/Student.1.html.
   
   

Assessment notes

1. The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to the USQ. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the Examiner.
   
   
2. Students may be required to provide a copy of assignments submitted for assessment purposes. Such copies should be dispatched to the USQ within 24 hours of receipt of a request to do so.
   
   
3. In accordance with University policy, the Examiner may grant an extension of the due date of an assessment item in extenuating circumstances.
   
   
4. Method used to assess the dissertation: normally three Markers will be assigned by the Examiner, after advice by each Supervisor, to assess each student's dissertation. The Supervisor is normally one of the Markers. The Markers will independently assess the dissertation in the following five aspects: (a) Incorporation of established knowledge; (b) Assimilation of research literature; (c) Implementation of scientific techniques; (d) Technical writing; (e) Innovation. Each of these aspects will be given a mark in the range 0-20; the final mark will be the sum of these five aspect marks. The Examiner will moderate the marks recommended by the Markers and determine a final grade normally as the equally weighted average of the Markers recommendations. Where the Markers cannot reach a consensus, the Examiner may seek advice of extra Markers.
   
   
5. The grade calculated from the assessment items completed in both MSC8001 and MSC8002 will be awarded to both MSC8001 and MSC8002.
   
   
6. Method used to assess the seminar: normally two Markers will be assigned by the Examiner to assess each student's seminar on the following criteria: clarity of verbal communication; clarity of supporting material; organisation of information; answers to questions; impact. The Examiner will moderate the marks recommended by the Markers and determine a final grade normally as the equally weighted average of the Markers recommendations.
   
   
7. The referencing system to be used in this course is supported by the Department. Information on this referencing system and advice on how to use it can be found in the course materials.
   
   

Other requirements

1. Students will require access to e-mail and have internet access to UConnect for this course.
   
   
2. The student will normally lodge two bound copies of their dissertation with the Department: one for the Department and one for their Supervisor. The Department normally pays the cost of these two copies.
   
   
3. Normally a student's work in a project, their seminar and dissertation is expected to be open to public scrutiny. However, a project may generate intellectual property which a student wishes to remain confidential. If this is the case, the student, Supervisor and Examiner will meet or confer to negotiate appropriate work practices consistent with University policies.
   
   
4. Normally, a student and the Supervisor will meet or confer for one hour each week. The Supervisor will: guide direction; provide formative feedback; suggest possibilities; teach methods; advise on balance and emphasis; remind the timelines; recommend marks to the Examiner for the Preliminary proposal, Proposal, Preliminary seminar, and Literature survey; suggest dissertation Markers to the Examiner; coordinate with the Examiner, especially for the seminars; and meet as required with other supervisors.