Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 21/06/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 12
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- The Environment School
Advanced research project and preparation of thesis report undertaken in a research honours program. The project will often involve advanced analytical methods and a field component, both supervised and unsupervised. Depending on the project, this component may incur additional costs to cover travel and accommodation during field work. Students commencing in sem 1 with #6/#6 split should enrol in ERTH6501 for sem 1 and sem 2; students commencing in sem 2 with #6/#6 split should enrol in ERTH6502 for sem 2 and the following sem 1.
The Geology Honours Thesis involves a two-semester research project. The research project culminates in: (1) the submission of a thesis manuscript describing the rationale, aims, methods, results and significance of the project; and (2) the presentation of an oral defense of the research outcomes.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Aims and outcomes
The major aims of this course are to:
- Enhance capacity for problem-solving and independent research;
- Prepare students for professional careers in the minerals and energy-resource industries as mining, exploration, resource or environmental geologist.
- Train and build knowledge and research skills to a standard sufficient to undertake further postgraduate research degrees or a specialist career.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Be able to plan, develop and carry out an independent research project
LO2.
Develop problem-solving and research skills and be able to locate and use information sources
LO3.
Present research result in a written report or thesis
LO4.
Obtain in-depth knowledge of the specific topic area through a thorough literature review
LO5.
Present research results as an oral seminar
LO6.
Become familiar with the current scientific literature to broaden knowledge and understanding of the Earth Sciences.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Presentation | Proposal/progress presentation | 10% |
26/02/2025 |
| Presentation | Final project presentation | 20% |
28/05/2025 |
| Project, Thesis | Final report/thesis | 70% |
30/05/2025 |
Assessment details
Proposal/progress presentation
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
26/02/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L03, L04, L06
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.
Final project presentation
- Mode
- Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
28/05/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L02, L03, L05, L06
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.
Final report/thesis
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Project, Thesis
- Weight
- 70%
- Due date
30/05/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L06
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. |
| 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 textural 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 textural 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.
Additional learning resources information
All resources for this course will be placed on the Blackboard site.
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 |
Honours research project Independent research project. Research findings presented in a written thesis. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06 |
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.