Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 10
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- The Environment School
A thesis (8,000-12,000 words) prepared from field, laboratory &/or library research carried out under the direction of a supervisor approved by the Program Director. Student commencing in sem 1 enrol in ENVM4501 for sem 1 & sem 2. Students commencing in sem 2 enrol in ENVM4502 for sem 2 & the following sem 1.
Students undertakingﾠthis course will have the opportunity to pursue an independent research project in an area of interest under the supervision of an academic staff member. Students will acquire skills that will enable them to work without close supervision in a research environment in industry or government, or to proceed to a research higher degree.
Course requirements
Assumed background
The assumed background is the content of the compulsory courses that make up the first three years in any one of the four Fields of Study in the Bachelor of Environmental Science (Hons).
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
Permission of Head of School
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
Timetable
Additional timetable information
There is no formal contact time scheduled, but as a guide students should dedicate, on average, at least 30 hours a week to their thesis.
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 in the current 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.
present research results as an oral seminar
LO9.
contribute to research in the area of Environmental Science
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation | Progress/proposal presentation | 10% |
26/02/2025 |
| Presentation | Project presentation | 20% |
28/05/2025 |
| Project, Thesis | Thesis/report | 70% |
30/05/2025 |
Assessment details
Progress/proposal presentation
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
26/02/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L05
Task description
A progress presentation is required in the first week of the second (2nd) semester of the Honours year. This event will be scheduled for Tuesday of Teach Week 1 of the second (2nd) semester.
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.
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.
Project presentation
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
28/05/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08
Task description
A final project presentation is required in the final teaching week (Week 13) of the second (2nd) semester. Presentations will be scheduled for Tuesday and Wednesday of Teaching Week 13 in the second (2nd) semester of the Honours year.
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.
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.
Thesis/report
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Project, Thesis
- Weight
- 70%
- Due date
30/05/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03, L04, L05, L07, L09
Task description
A final report (thesis) of the Honours project will be required. The submission deadline is on Friday (2 pm) of Teaching Week 13 of the second (2nd) semester of the Honours year.
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.
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.
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% Students will earn a grade of 1 if they show a poor knowledge of basic concepts and research techniques. Treatment of subject matter is inferior and poorly referenced, with maps and illustrative material poorly conceived and presented.</p> |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 30% Thesis is lacking in scientific rigor and logic and demonstrates little knowledge of basic concepts and research techniques. Treatment of subject matter is inferior and poorly referenced, with maps and illustrative material poorly conceived and/or presented. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 45% Thesis is lacking in scientific rigor and logic but demonstrates some knowledge of basic concepts and research techniques. Treatment of subject matter is incomplete and poorly referenced, with maps and illustrative material poorly conceived and/or presented. |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 50% Thesis is lacking in scientific rigor and logic but demonstrates knowledge of basic concepts and research techniques. Treatment of subject matter is incomplete, with some maps and illustrative material poorly conceived and/or presented. |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 65% Thesis is somewhat lacking in scientific rigor but is logical and robust. Treatment of subject matter is of lesser quality than above, not thoroughly documented but nonetheless displaying some scientific merit. Most maps and other illustrative material are of a high standard. |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 75% Thesis is scientifically rigorous, logical and robust; competent treatment of subject matter, thoroughly documented, well presented, largely free of textual and other errors with maps and other illustrative material of a high standard. |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: The minimum percentage required for this grade is: 85% Thesis is to be scientifically rigorous, well documented and logical with evidence of critical analysis and the individual contribution of the student. Thesis should constitute an original contribution to knowledge in some respect or provide novel insight into a significant practical problem. It must be meticulously presented and largely free of textual errors, with maps and other illustrative material of a high standard. |
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
Information on applying for an extension can be found here - my.UQ Applying for an extension
Extension applications must be received by the assessment due date and time.
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 Word document outlining why you cannot provide the documentation and upload the documentation to the portal within 24 hours.
Please note: While your extension request is being considered, you should work towards completing and submitting your assessment as soon as possible.
If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 4 weeks in a semester, we advise you to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses. You might need to consider applying for removal of course. We strongly recommend you seek advice from the Faculty that administers your program.
Extensions with Student Access Plans (SAP)
For extensions up to 7 days, your SAP is all that is required as documentation to support your application. However, extension requests longer than 7 days (for any one assessment item) will require the submission of additional supporting documentation e.g., a medical certificate. A maximum of two applications may be submitted for any one assessment item, unless exceptional circumstances can be demonstrated. All extension requests must be received by the assessment due date and time.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
The assessment tasks in this course evaluate students’ abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Students are advised that the use of AI technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Turnitin
By submitting work through Turnitin you are deemed to have accepted the following declaration “I certify that this assignment is my own work and has not been submitted, either previously or concurrently, in whole or in part, to this University or any other educational institution, for marking or assessment.”
All students must ensure they receive their Turnitin receipt on submission of any assessments. A valid Turnitin receipt will be the only evidence accepted if assessments are missing. Without evidence, the assessment will receive the standard late penalty, or after five days, will receive zero.
In the case of a Blackboard outage, please contact the Course Coordinator as soon as possible to confirm the outage with ITS.
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 |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks |
Not Timetabled |
Research project Student will work on a research project under the supervision of an advisory team. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08, L09 |
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 for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.