Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 8
- 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. See https://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 keyﾠissues in the fields of their studiesﾠthat interest them.
It is the responsibility of the student to identify an academic 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 an online application in order to obtain permission to enrol. The application is available at:ﾠhttps://environment.uq.edu.au/current-students/apply-research-project.
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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.
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Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
Permission of Head of School plus minimum GPA 5.0
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
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 an eight (8) Unit course, it would be expected that a workload of around 40 hours per week of self-directed learning would be the norm, for a semester workload.
Aims and outcomes
This is a research-based course where students investigate in detail a topic in their fields of study.
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 skill in independently accessing relevant information resources
LO3.
Demonstrate enhanced information synthesis skills
LO4.
Demonstrate enhanced data base access and interrogation skills (if applicable);
LO5.
Demonstrate enhanced field research skills (if applicable);
LO6.
Demonstrate enhanced laboratory research skills (if applicable);
LO7.
Demonstrate enhanced skills in critical thinking and/or logical analysis;
LO8.
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% |
4/11/2024 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, L06, L07, L08
Task description
In no more than 2000 words (maximum total length), prepare a proposal outlining:
- an introduction
- 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 is required for feedback and grading purposes.
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.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
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
4/11/2024 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 12000 maximum.
Submission guidelines
Electronic submission via turnitin. You will also need to negotiate with your academic supervisor what format is required for final grading purposes.
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.
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.
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 |
Project This course is for self-directed learning in a topic approved by your supervisor. No formal classes are required; however contact expectations should be discussed with your 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:
- 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.