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Course profile

Research Project (ENVM7127)

Study period
Sem 2 2024
Location
External
Attendance mode
Online

Course overview

Study period
Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 21/06/2025)
Study level
Postgraduate Coursework
Location
External
Attendance mode
Online
Units
6
Administrative campus
St Lucia
Coordinating unit
The Environment School

This course provides students with the opportunity to conduct their own research project. Through this course students will develop important research skills such as systematically reviewing the literature, safe laboratory and field work practices, proper record keeping, analysis and interpretation of results, and presentation of scientific ideas in writing. The purpose of this course is to allow students to develop a deeper understanding of a subject that interests them, and to provide students with research and project management experience that can be applied beyond this course.

There is no lecture, practical, or tutorial offered in the course. Students will conduct research independently with the guidance of their supervisors. Supervisor availability is not guaranteed, as supervision of research projects is in demand. Students are advised to contact potential supervisors well in advance of the semester in which they plan to enrol. A research topic approval form must be submitted before enrolment can be completed. Seehttps://environment.uq.edu.au/current-students/apply-research-project or contact School for details. See section 1.2 of ECP for information on how to choose the most suitable research course.

This is a research-based course where a student investigates in detail a topic defined by the student in conjunction with their academic supervisor. The purpose of this course is to allow students to develop a deeper understanding of key issues in the fields of their studies that interest them.

It is the responsibility of the student to identify a supervisor with expertise in their chosen topic and negotiate details of the research project with the supervisor. Supervisor availability is not guaranteed, as supervision of research projects is in demand. Students are advised to contact potential supervisors well in advance of the semester in which they plan to enrol.

Prior to the semester of commencement and once the student and supervisor agree on a topic, students will need to submit a completed special topics permission form online in order to obtain permission to enrol. The form is available atᅠhttps://environment.uq.edu.au/current-students/apply-honours-or-research-project

*Make sure you have selected the correct course. The School offers a range of courses carrying different unit values (which reflect the scale and scope of the research) and durations. Read the information at https://environment.uq.edu.au/envm-coded-research-courses-postgraduate-students to choose the most suitable research course.


Course requirements

Restrictions

Head of School Approval.

Jointly taught details

This course is jointly-taught with:

  • Another instance of the same course

ENVM7127

Course contact

Timetable

Additional timetable information

There are no timetabled classes for this course. Contact with your academic supervisor should be discussed and arranged during your initial supervision discussions.

Guidance on workloads: As a two (2) unit course it would be expected that a workload of around 10 hours per week of self-directed learning would be the norm.

Aims and outcomes

This is a research-based course where students investigate in detail a topic in environmental management.

The course aims are:

  • To enable advanced students to pursue in-depth study in a chosen research field;
  • To enhance students’ capacity for independent research;
  • To enable students to acquire research skills appropriate to an area of specialisation.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

LO1.

Demonstrate enhanced content knowledge in the chosen research field.

LO2.

Demonstrate enhanced information resource access skills

LO3.

Demonstrate enhanced data base access and interrogation skills (if applicable

LO4.

Demonstrate enhanced field research skills (if applicable);

LO5.

Demonstrate enhanced laboratory research skills (if applicable);

LO6.

Demonstrate enhanced skills in critical thinking and/or logical analysis;

LO7.

Demonstrate enhanced written and/or oral communication skills (as applicable).

Assessment

Assessment summary

Category Assessment task Weight Due date
Paper/ Report/ Annotation Research Proposal 20%

16/08/2024 2:00 pm

Paper/ Report/ Annotation Final report 80%

2/06/2025 2:00 pm

Assessment details

Research Proposal

Mode
Written
Category
Paper/ Report/ Annotation
Weight
20%
Due date

16/08/2024 2:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03

Task description

In no more than 2000 words (maximum total length), prepare a proposal outlining:

  • the background to the intended research;
  • the research question, aims and objectives;
  • the research methods;
  • the expected outcomes;
  • the significance of the research and its contribution to new knowledge;
  • the budget for the research and funding sources, if applicable.

Submission guidelines

Electronic submission via turnitin. You will also need to negotiate with your academic supervisor what format they require for feedback and grading.
Students are advised to ensure their academic supervisor is available to provide feedback and grading on their proposal to ensure progress to complete the project on time.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

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: When an extension request has been submitted and is pending, students are expected to continue to work on the assessment item, with the aim of submitting the assessment item by the requested due date and time.

If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 28 days, we advise you to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses this semester. You might be eligible to withdraw without academic penalty. 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. All extension requests must be received by the assessment due date and time.

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 available marks (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). 10% will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point your submission will receive a mark of zero (0) unless an extension has been approved.

Final report

Mode
Written
Category
Paper/ Report/ Annotation
Weight
80%
Due date

2/06/2025 2:00 pm

Learning outcomes
L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08

Task description

Final report


Details of the report format should be negotiated between the student and academic supervisor, in consideration of the marking criteria. Word limit approx 10000 maximum.

Submission guidelines

Electronic submission via turnitin. You will also need to negotiate with your academic supervisor what format is required for final grading.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

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: When an extension request has been submitted and is pending, students are expected to continue to work on the assessment item, with the aim of submitting the assessment item by the requested due date and time.

If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 28 days, we advise you to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses this semester. You might be eligible to withdraw without academic penalty. 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. All extension requests must be received by the assessment due date and time.

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 available marks (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). 10% will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point your submission will receive a mark of zero (0) unless an extension has been approved.

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%

Additional course grading information

The final grade for the course will typically fall within the ranges mentioned above.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

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.


Academic Integrity: 

All students must complete the Academic Integrity Tutorial: https://www.uq.edu.au/integrity/


Artificial Intelligence Use (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”.


Students can download the digital receipt in the Assignment inbox to confirm successful submission. A valid Turnitin receipt will be the only evidence accepted if assessments are missing. Without evidence, the assessment will receive 10% per day of the available marks late penalty deduction, and after seven days, will receive zero marks.


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.

Additional learning resources information

Consult your research project supervisor(s).

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

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Learning period Activity type Topic
Multiple weeks
Not Timetabled

Project

No formal classes; self-directed learning.
Contact by arrangement with supervisor.

Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07, L08

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:

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.