Course coordinator
Dr Annie Lau
Course overview
- Study period
- Summer Semester, 2024 (25/11/2024 - 08/02/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- The Environment School
This course provides students with the opportunity to conduct their own research project. Through this project students will develop important research skills such as safe laboratory and field work practices, proper record keeping, analysis and interpretation of results, and presentation of scientific ideas orally and in writing. Departmental consent is required. Prior to obtaining consent, intending students must discuss their project with, and obtain agreement to supervise that project from, an appropriate member of academic staff. A consent form must be completed and submitted for approval before enrolment will be permitted.
This is a research-based course where a student investigates in detail aﾠtopic 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 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 in order to obtain permission to enrol. The form is available at https://environment.uq.edu.au/current-students/apply-research-project.
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Course requirements
Assumed background
Completion of 2 years undergraduate study; Content specific assumed background - consult supervisor.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
#24 prior to enrolment and approval from Head of School
Restrictions
Students may count a maxium of #4 of project based courses towards their degree
Course contact
Timetable
Additional timetable information
No formal classes
Contact byﾠnegotiation with advisor
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
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Aims and outcomes
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 high-level 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
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Research proposal | 20% |
20/12/2024 2:00 pm |
| Essay/ Critique | Final report | 80% |
3/02/2025 2:00 pm |
Assessment details
Research proposal
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
20/12/2024 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L08
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.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Submission guidelines
Submit through Turnitin via the 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.
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.
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
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Essay/ Critique
- Weight
- 80%
- Due date
3/02/2025 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 student and advisor, but with the marking criteria in mind. Word limit of 6000 maximum.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Submission guidelines
Submit through Turnitin via the 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.
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
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
In general, aﾠpercentage markﾠwill be allocated for theﾠresearch proposal and for theﾠresearch report; marks will be summed and a grade allocated using the above scale.
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.ﾠ
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 No formal classes; 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.