Course coordinator
Dr Renjie Zhou
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 10
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- The Environment School
The Environmental Management Honours Thesis is designed to provide students with an opportunity to undertake research in a field of interest in Environmental Management and to develop a demonstrable degree of expertise in that field. Students are provided an opportunity to demonstrate high level professional skills in thesis presentation, analysis of data and academic aptitude. ENVM4501 is a 10 unit, two-semester long course (Semester 1 and 2) that involves students selecting a very specific topic within the realms of Environmental Management and investigating the selected topic in detail. The key output will be a thesis (dissertation), which will make a contribution to research in the area of Environmental Management. Students must enrol in GEOS6001 in the first semester of their thesis. Unless otherwise agreed with your academic advisor, students will be required to collect original data for their topic and analyse, synthesis and report on this in their thesis and undertake systematic analytical research into a defined specific topic. Students are required to identify a suitable academic supervisor for their proposed topic and consult on the final framework and specific methodology. The role of the supervisor is to provide academic guidance and advice to assist students towards the successful completion of their thesis. Students commencing in Semester 1 enrol in ENVM4501 for Semester 1 & Semester 2. Students commencing in Semester 2 enrol in ENVM4502 for Semester 2 & the following Semester 1.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
Permission of Head of School
Companion or co-requisite courses
You'll need to complete the following courses at the same time:
GEOS6001
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
ENVM4100, ENVM4110, ENVM4150, ENVM4200, ENVM4201
Restrictions
BEnvMan(Hons) students
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Renjie Zhou
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
The aim of this course is to provide students with an opportunity to pursue an independent research project in an area of interest under the supervision of an academic staff member.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Develop an independent research topic that fills a niche or gap in the literature
LO2.
Research and write a logical and sequential literature review
LO3.
Develop methodology that would allow for the collection of data as required for the research, and gain ethics approval if relevant.
LO4.
Analyse the research data and interpret results as required
LO5.
Convey the results in a logical format
LO6.
Use the results obtained from the research and critically analyse the results with other literature on the topic and draw the appropriate conclusions
LO7.
Present the above in a clear and concise written manner through the production of a thesis and by giving a presentation
LO8.
Contribute to research in the area(s) of School of the Environment
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essay/ Critique |
Written proposal
|
20% |
30/05/2025 3:00 pm |
| Presentation |
Two presentations
|
Pass/Fail |
Proposal Presentation: 15/04/2025 Final Presentation: 20/10/2025 |
| Thesis |
Written research report
|
70% |
31/10/2025 3:00 pm |
| Performance |
Supervisor's evaluation on research performance
|
10% |
31/10/2025 3:00 pm |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Written proposal
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
30/05/2025 3:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04
Task description
Students are required to develop a research proposal including any critical review of the literature relevant to their research project. Your project supervisor(s) will be able to guide you in the process of designing appropriate literature search strategies and other elements of research proposal development. This document should include the current understanding of the field of the research based on published literature, and the relationship of this proposal to work in the field. Make sure that you cite the literature appropriately. Detail the significance of the research and describe how the project’s aims and anticipated outcomes advance the knowledge of the discipline. The length of this document would vary based on your disciplines but 10-15 pages would be a general guide. More information will be provided during the semester.
Submission guidelines
Please submit through the Turnitin link on course Blackboard site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
See the Additional assessment information section further below for information relating to extension and deferral applications.
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.
You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date. For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period).
Two presentations
- Hurdle
- In-person
- Online
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- Pass/Fail
- Due date
Proposal Presentation: 15/04/2025
Final Presentation: 20/10/2025
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03, L04
Task description
Students are required to deliver two presentations. Students must deliver both presentations in order to pass the course.
(1) Proposal presentation: to be delivered in the week before the in-semester break in the first semester
(2) Final research presentation: to be delivered in Week 12 in the second semester.
Details on scheduling will be announced during the semester.
Hurdle requirements
Students are required to deliver two presentations. Students must deliver both presentations in order to pass the course.Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
See the Additional assessment information section further below for information relating to extension and deferral applications.
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.
You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date. For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period).
Written research report
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Thesis
- Weight
- 70%
- Due date
31/10/2025 3:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07
Task description
This is also referred to as a ‘thesis’. Your report should represent your own original work and clearly identify any research or analysis performed by someone else. The research report could be presented in the form of a scientific manuscript or a longer, ‘traditional’ thesis format. Please discuss the format of your thesis/report with your supervisor. The length of a report/thesis may vary but could range between 4000 words to 8000 words. In exceptional circumstances it may exceed 8000 words – this must be discussed with your supervisors and the Honours Coordinator, and will be dealt with on a case-by-case basis. Work counts will exclude abstract, figure and table captions, references, acknowledgement, or appendices. The report/thesis will be graded by two independent graders.
Submission guidelines
Please submit through the Turnitin link on course Blackboard site.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
See the Additional assessment information section further below for information relating to extension and deferral applications.
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.
You are required to submit assessable items on time. If you fail to meet the submission deadline for any assessment item, then 10% of the maximum possible mark for the assessment item (assessment ‘marked from’ value) will be deducted as a late penalty for every day (or part day) late after the due date. For example, if you submit your assignment 1 hour late, you will be penalised 10%; if your assignment is 24.5 hours late, you will be penalised 20% (because it is late by one 24-hour period plus part of another 24-hour period).
Supervisor's evaluation on research performance
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Performance
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
31/10/2025 3:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
- Learning outcomes
- L03, L04
Task description
The primary supervisor will grade the student's overall performance in consultation with the whole supervisory team (if needed).
Submission guidelines
Supervisors to submit directly to the Honours Coordinator via email. A grading form will be provided to supervisors.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
See the Additional assessment information section further below for information relating to extension and deferral applications.
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: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 0% |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 30% |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 45% |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 50% |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 65% |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 75% |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 85% |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to my.UQ for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply.
Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.
If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.
Supplementary assessment can take any form (such as a written report, oral presentation, examination or other appropriate assessment) and may test specific learning outcomes tailored to the individual student, or all learning outcomes.
To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment.
Additional assessment information
Applications for Extensions to Assessment Due Dates
Extension requests are submitted online via my.UQ – applying for an extension. Extension requests received in any other way will not be approved. Additional details associated with extension requests, including acceptable and unacceptable reasons, may be found at my.UQ.
Please note:
- Requests for an extension to an assessment due date must be submitted through your my.UQ portal and you must provide documentation of your circumstances, as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed. Your application must be submitted on or before the assessment item's due date and time.
- Applications for extension can take time to be processed so you should continue to work on your assessment item while awaiting a decision. We recommend that you submit any completed work by the due date, and this will be marked if your application is not approved. Should your application be approved, then you will be able to resubmit by the agreed revised due date.
- If an extension is approved, you will be notified via your my.UQ portal and the new date and time for submission provided. It is important that you check the revised date as it may differ from the date that you requested.
- If the basis of the application is a medical condition, applications should be accompanied by a medical certificate dated prior to the assignment due date. If you are unable to provide documentation to support your application by the due date and time you must still submit your application on time and attach a written statement (Word document) outlining why you cannot provide the documentation. You must then upload the documentation to the portal within 24 hours.
- If an extension is being sought on the basis of exceptional circumstances, it must be accompanied by supporting documentation (eg. Statutory declaration).
- For extensions based on a SAP you may be granted a maximum of 7 days (if no earlier maximum timeframe applies). See the Extension or Deferral availability section of each assessment for timeframes. Your SAP is all that is required as documentation to support your application. However, additional extension requests for the assessment item will require the submission of additional supporting documentation e.g., a medical certificate. All extension requests must be received by the assessment due date and time.
- An extension for an assessment item due within the teaching period in which the course is offered, must not exceed four weeks in total. If you are incapacitated for a period exceeding four weeks of the teaching period, you are advised to apply for Removal of Course.
- If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 4 weeks, you are advised to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses this semester. You might be eligible to withdraw without academic penalty - seek advice from the Faculty that administers your program.
- Students may be asked to submit evidence of work completed to date. Lack of adequate progress on your assessment item may result in an extension being denied.
- There are no provisions for exemption from an assessment item within UQ rules. If you are unable to submit an assessment piece then, under special circumstances, you may be granted an exemption, but may be required to submit alternative assessment to ensure all learning outcomes are met.
AI STATEMENT
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
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
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
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 scheduled |
Workshop |
Contact sessions In the first semester, three to four contact sessions will be scheduled to check on the progress of your research and explain assignment tasks. Details will be posted on course Blackboard site. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05 |
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.