Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- External
- Attendance mode
- Online
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- The Environment School
Development of research proposal for honours year through active participation in a workshop style class which covers all aspects of research design, implementation, management and communication. The activities covered directly contribute to developing a viable honours proposal and effective working relationship with your Honours Advisor.
(Formally ENVM4008 - Science & the Environment)
This course provides a transition between undergraduate training and the research required for an honours orﾠpostgraduate thesis or dissertation as part of Honours, Masters or Doctoral research in the School of Earth and Environmental Sciences. ﾠ Our approach is to provide the knowledge and skills you require for effective research design and management so you can successfully complete your proposal and thesis work. The course deals with the practical aspects of proposal design and writing, thesis construction and academic writing, along with skills generic to research and general project design, implementation, scientific communication and management. ﾠ We recognise our graduates will work in a range of professional settings and this course is designed to provide skills and knowledge for you to establish the role and career path you wish to follow.
Course objectives:
ﾠ 1. To develop an understanding of the nature of scientific and non-scientific research in earth sciences, geography, planning, environmental science and environmental management, and the necessity for project design, time management and effective communication. ﾠ 2. To develop skills to enable you to identify a significant research or applied problem, and then obtain relevant literature and design a research or project methodology to collect and analyse data for addressing the problem. The research design and implementation stage will involve selection and critical assessment of relevant literature, development of appropriate data collection and analysis strategies, formulation of research objectives and hypotheses, generation of task lists and project timelines, communication skills and identification of limitations and outputs from the research process. ﾠ This course is co-taught between GEOS6001 and GEOS7001.Course requirements
Assumed background
The pre-requisite for GEOS6001 / GEOS7001 is at least three years of undergraduate study, and the completion of a bachelor’s degree or entry into the 4th yearﾠof an honours program / or entry into a graduate program, respectively. If you have any concerns or special needs in relation to this course please see the coordinator. Any student with a disability who may require alternative academic arrangements in the course is encouraged to seek advice at the commencement of semester from a Disability Adviser at Student Services.ﾠStudent Services (http://www.uq.edu.au/student-services/) also provide a range of personal counselling services that students may find necessary or desirable.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
Permission Head of School
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
Undergraduate degree
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
ENVM4008 and ERTH6701
Restrictions
Head of School permission
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Aims and outcomes
1 - To provide an introduction to the process of research design and implementation leading to the development of a proposal and timeline for completion of your thesis/report.
2 - To develop critical thinking skills that can be applied to analysis of research from a broad range of topic areas.
3 - To learn to effectively communicate scientific information through written communication, oral presentation and small group discussions.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Explain the nature and basic concepts of research in the context of the main disciplines.
LO2.
Conduct a literature search using relevant library tools to identify the core areas of knowledge and questions requiring research to answer.
LO3.
Construct a critical review of a published body of research in your discipline area.
LO4.
Construct a research proposal using a recognised research design methodology from the discipline area that you work within.
LO5.
Translate research objectives or questions into tasks of: data collection, analysis, argument, experiment or project, as is appropriate to your discipline. Develop a plan to undertake the work considering constraints of time, equipment, field conditions and coordination with other researchers or consultants; and present this as a time-line or task-schedule for your project.
LO6.
Produce a research proposal that clearly distinguishes the research findings from existing knowledge and argues for the significance of the research. Present this clearly to both specialist and non-specialist audiences and readers. The completed research proposal and presentation will guide your research in the following semester(s), through to the presentation of the dissertation.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Performance, Presentation | 3MT-style presentation | 20% |
To be delivered in class in Teaching Week 5 |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Literature review | 35% |
To be submitted through Turnitin from the Blackboard site by 2 pm on Friday in Teaching Week 10 |
| Essay/ Critique | Two-page research proposal (EOI-style) | 30% |
To be submitted through Turnitin from the Blackboard site by 2 pm on Friday in Teaching Week 13 |
| Notebook/ Logbook, Reflection | Seminar notes | 15% |
To be submitted through Turnitin from the Blackboard site by 4 pm on Friday in Teaching Week 13 |
Assessment details
3MT-style presentation
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral
- Category
- Performance, Presentation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
To be delivered in class in Teaching Week 5
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Students are required to present a short presentation to introduce their project topic.
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.
Literature review
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 35%
- Due date
To be submitted through Turnitin from the Blackboard site by 2 pm on Friday in Teaching Week 10
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Students are required to develop a critical review of the literature relevant to their research project.
Submission guidelines
Submit electronically through Turnitin on the 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.
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.
Two-page research proposal (EOI-style)
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 30%
- Due date
To be submitted through Turnitin from the Blackboard site by 2 pm on Friday in Teaching Week 13
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L04, L05, L06
Task description
Students are required to communicate their research proposal in a compelling two-page document, similar to an ‘Expression of Interest’, used to obtain funding for research project.
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.
Seminar notes
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Notebook/ Logbook, Reflection
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
To be submitted through Turnitin from the Blackboard site by 4 pm on Friday in Teaching Week 13
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L04
Task description
Students are required to attend five research seminars in the first semester.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 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% |
| 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
Course Hurdle: In addition to achieving 50% overall, in order to pass this course you must complete and submit the Literature Review, Presentation,ﾠand Project Planﾠassessment.
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.
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.
No additional assessment
ﾠ
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
No other learning resources are provided - content for proposals should be worked out between the student and his/her adviser.
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 |
Workshops A series of workshops will be conducted during this semester. 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.