Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- Gatton
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 8
- Administrative campus
- Gatton
- Coordinating unit
- Agriculture and Food Sustainability School
Design, implementation and presentation of a research project, with emphasis on defining the research issue, establishing methodology, undertaking appropriate analysis of data and drawing defensible conclusions. Students completing the course in one semester must enrol in AGRC7617. Students completing the course in two semesters must enrol in AGRC7620 if they plan to commence in semester 1 and AGRC7621 if they plan to commence in semester 2. Students must submit the Research Project Contract by the first Thursday of February for students commencing in semester 1, and the first Thursday of July for students commencing in semester 2 to agriculture@enquire.uq.edu.au. NOTE: Students completing their project at St Lucia or at an external institute should enrol in the Gatton Internal mode of offer. Contact agriculture@enquire.uq.edu.au for enrolment queries. Students enrolled into a 2 year Masters program should not enrol into this course until they have completed 16-units of study (2 semesters full-time equivalent) Students enrolled into a 1.5 year Masters program should not enrol into this course until they have completed 8-units of study (1 semesters full-time equivalent)
This course will be last offered in external mode in 2024.
The student will select a topic for their research in discussion with a university supervisor. The topic may be investigated through a range of approaches including - but not limited to - fieldwork, laboratory work, computer analysis and use of surveys.
In order to enrol in this course you are required to complete an enrolment form (available atﾠhttp://www.uq.edu.au/agriculture/docs/Student-Resources/Application-and-Learning-Contract.pdf) and provide your details, a brief description of your research project and the details of your nominated supervisor/s and his/her consent to supervise your project.
Email fully completed forms to agfs@enquire.uq.edu.au or send to AGFS Admin Office,ﾠBuilding 8117a, The University of Queensland, Gatton Campus, QLD 4343, Australia. Or submit to AGFS Admin Office, Level 3, Hartley Teakle Building 83, St Lucia,ﾠBrisbane, QLD 4072.ﾠ
Course contact
Course staff
Guest lecturer
Mr Suresh Krishnasamy
Program director
Professor John Gaughan
Dr Alwyn Williams
Dr Rajendra Adhikari
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
There are no scheduled classes for this course. However, students are expected to interact regularly with their University supervisor, and to actively engage with other students and researchers working within the selected work group or lab.
Aims and outcomes
To introduce students to the activities involved in carrying out a research project.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Define a problem, state a hypothesis and propose a process for the investigation of the problem.
LO2.
Design and implement a research project, analyse and interpret data, discuss results and draw relevant conclusions.
LO3.
Produce a research report in the form of a potential journal article.
LO4.
Deliver an oral presentation on a defined topic.
LO5.
Demonstrate professional behaviour in the context of the researchable topic, in consultation with the supervisory team
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation |
Research Seminar
|
20% |
Week 13, Fri 2:00 pm |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation |
Research Project Report
|
70% |
Week 13, Fri 2:00 pm |
| Performance |
Performance as determined by project supervisor
|
10% |
Week 13, Fri 2:00 pm |
Assessment details
Research Seminar
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
Week 13, Fri 2:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L04
Task description
All students enrolled in this course will be required to submit a pre-recorded seminar based on their project work.
You should use appropriate visual aids (e.g. PowerPoint Slides) to assist your presentation. The seminars are 10 minutes each. This time is not negotiable and you will be penalised if you do not keep to it.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
The online assessment is completed within Blackboard under the appropriate assessment title on your course Blackboard site.
Legal Declaration:
By submitting your work via this website, you formally declare that (1) it is your own original work, and no part of the work has been copied from any other source or person except where due acknowledgement is made; (2) no part of the work has been previously submitted for assessment in this or any other institution; and (3) you have read the UQ Academic Integrity and Plagiarism Policy (http://ppl.app.uq.edu.au/content/3.60.04-student-integrity-and-misconduct) and understand its implications.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessment deadlines are firm and must be met. Late submission without permission or non-submission of assessable work will result in penalties being applied. Late submission of assessment will only be granted for documented medical reasons, accident, bereavement, jury service and other circumstances allowed in the UQ Policies and Procedures Library (PPL). See 6.1 Assessment Related Policies & Guidelines for links to the University Guidelines and Applications for Extensions.
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item, or one grade per day if graded on the basis of 1-7, or equivalent penalty if an alternative grading approach is used, will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point any submission will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is recorded from the time the submission is due.
Submission of an Extension of Assessment Due Date (EADD) should be completed online through your My Requests tab via my.UQ Dashboard before the due date of the assessment item.
Research Project Report
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 70%
- Due date
Week 13, Fri 2:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03
Task description
The research project report is to be presented in the form of a scientific manuscript potentially suitable for publication in a professional journal.
The exact length and structure of your report may vary across disciplines – please seek specific advice from your supervisor regarding your interpretation of these guidelines.
Broadly speaking, we anticipate the report consisting of a title, abstract (< 300 words), introduction / background / literature review (< 600 words for science reports, but a much longer, more comprehensive literature review for social science and agribusiness reports), methodology including statistical analysis (< 2000 words), results (< 2000 words), discussion (< 1500 words), conclusions (< 200 words) and references.
In general concision is encouraged, the upper word count limits are to be considered guidelines only and represent a conversation starter for discussion with your supervisor.
One independent markers who specialises in your area of research will grade your work. Your Project Supervisor will mark this assessment also. The average of your marks from both markers will be used as your grade. In the event that there is a difference of more than 10 points between markers your report will be appropriately reviewed and moderated.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Marking timeframes are expected to be at minimum two weeks, for independant markers to review your work fairly and comprehensively. For students with approved extensions on this assessment item, please note that this may delay graduation, while marking is delayed.
Submission guidelines
You must submit your Assessment task, in Blackboard, via the Turnitin link by the submission deadline. You should also retain an electronic copy of every piece of assessment you submit.
Legal Declaration By submitting your work via this website, you formally declare that (1) it is your own original work, and no part of the work has been copied from any other source or person except where due acknowledgement is made; (2) no part of the work has been previously submitted for assessment in this or any other institution; and (3) you have read the UQ Academic Integrity and Plagiarism Policy (http://ppl.app.uq.edu.au/content/3.60.04-student-integrity-and-misconduct) and understand its implications.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assessment deadlines are firm and must be met. Late submission without permission or non-submission of assessable work will result in penalties being applied. Late submission of assessment will only be granted for documented medical reasons, accident, bereavement, jury service and other circumstances allowed in the UQ Policies and Procedures Library (PPL). See 6.1 Assessment Related Policies & Guidelines for links to the University Guidelines and Applications for Extensions.
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark allocated for the assessment item, or one grade per day if graded on the basis of 1-7, or equivalent penalty if an alternative grading approach is used, will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point any submission will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is recorded from the time the submission is due.
Submission of an Extension of Assessment Due Date (EADD) should be completed online through your My Requests tab via my.UQ Dashboard before the due date of the assessment item.
Performance as determined by project supervisor
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Performance
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
Week 13, Fri 2:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L05
Task description
Your academic supervisor will assess your overall performance through the life cycle of your research project.
'Performance' here includes, but is not limited to, the following criteria:
1) Evidence of planning.
2) Evidence of time management.
3) Evidence of punctuality.
4) Evidence of resourcefulness.
5) Evidence of independent thought and creativity.
6) Evidence of 'managing up' well.
7) Evidence of positive interactions with peers, such as laboratory colleagues, if applicable.
8) Evidence of determination, and other positive temperamental characteristics, in overcoming challenges.
9) Evidence of strong inter-personal communication.
10) Evidence of integrity and ethical awareness.
Submission guidelines
Completed and submitted by student's supervisor.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 0-34% |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 35-46% |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: 47-49% or >50% with non-submission of any assessment item |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 50-64% with completion and submission of all assessment items |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 65-74% with completion and submission of all assessment items |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 75-84% with completion and submission of all assessment items |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 85% and above with completion and submission of all assessment items |
Additional course grading information
Course Grading rules and Assessment Hurdles
All required assessment items MUST be completed in order to obtain a passing grade for this course.
Every effort will be made to give marks for assessment items within two weeks but this my not be possible in the case where two markers or external markers are required. Results will be released following grades release for the completing semester of this course.
ﾠ
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
This is a self directed course and you are required to communicate regularly with you academic advisor.
Results
Unless specifically indicated by the course coordinator, every attempt will be made to have the results for progressive assessment available within 3 weeks of submission. For items of assessment submitted in the last 2 weeks of the semester, the results will not be available until grades release day. Results and feedback availability will be advised to you by email or announced via the course Blackboard site.
TurnItIn assignments
Assignments that are required to be submitted through TurnItIn, must only be uploaded to the assessment specific Turnitin link on the relevant course Blackboard site.ﾠ If you submit any version of your assessment item to any alternative Turnitin link, this is considered cheating and you will be held liable for this action. ﾠ
Re-mark Applications – refer to the University's Re-mark Policy to check your eligibility
Before applying for a remark, students should consider the following:
- You have consulted the course coordinator for feedback
- Your academic grounds for remark have been discussed and are valid
- Wanting a higher grade is not grounds for a remark. A remark can decrease your grade.
Remark applications will not be considered without first having contacted your course Co-ordinator.ﾠ
Deferred and Supplementary assessment (including Deferred Mid-Semester Examinations)
Deferred and Supplementary information can be located on the my.UQ website
ﾠ
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Other course materials
If we've listed something under further requirement, you'll need to provide your own.
Required
| Item | Description | Further Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| AGRC7621 Course Blackboard site | Blackboard is the main method of communication for this course. | |
| AGRC7621 Course Profile | provides details of specifications, rationale, aims and structure of the course. It also informs you of the assessment for this course, including weightings and due dates. |
Additional learning resources information
The School runs a writing support workshop which is optional but students are strongly encouraged to attend. Past students have found this workshop provides useful tools for overcoming writers block. These tools should be used in conjunction with, not instead of, interaction and advice from your project supervisor.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Not Timetabled |
Teaching and learning modes This course is based on an independent study under the supervision of an academic staff member. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
Additional learning activity information
This learning activity is a self-directed research project developed and run in consultation with an academic supervisor. You are encouraged to develop a bespoke timetable of activities that will allow you to deliver on your project milestones in a timely manner and also to allow enough time for feedback to be provided on the various assessment tasks.
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course: