Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2024 (22/07/2024 - 18/11/2024)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Mathematics & Physics School
This course is an introduction to research in Mathematics and/or Physics. It provides generic skills and knowledge relevant to further progress in their studies. It allows students the opportunity to apply those skills to a research project in their discipline of interest.
The students in this course will investigate a project in a true research environment under close supervision of an experienced staff member.ᅠ This will give them a unique opportunity to develop core research skills relevant to a wide spectrum of scientific research, including written and oral communication, research skills in the selected discipline, and recording and analysing data.
For more information on the SCIE3250ᅠproject and to download the application form, please check here - https://smp.uq.edu.au/current-students/scie-project-courses
Course requirements
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 maximum of #4 of project based courses to their degree.
Course contact
Course coordinator
Timetable
Additional timetable information
It is expected that students will spend 13 weeks working on their project andᅠ preparing two reports and a presentation.ᅠThe student's report and presentation submission times should be strictly adhered to. Students are advised to consult their supervisors and negotiate a timeframe agreeable to both.
Aims and outcomes
The broad goals of the course are to provide students with a hands on research experience. They learn core research skills and participate in an individual research project associated with a discipline of interest to them.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Gather required information and formulate that information into a form which is usable to solve a problem
LO2.
Demonstrate the ability to make scientific observations
LO3.
Communicate, in both written and oral form, ideas pertaining to scientific research or theoretical results obtained
LO4.
Demonstrate your ability to participate in an individual or group research project.
LO5.
Develop and strengthen core research skills including gathering information and conveying concepts and conclusions.
LO6.
Be able to describe the social and civic responsibility or ethical and legal aspects pertaining to research.
Assessment
Assessment summary
Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
---|---|---|---|
Notebook/ Logbook | Recording | 10% |
Weekly, each Friday by 2.00 pm. |
Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Literature Review | Pass / fail |
16/09/2024 2:10 pm |
Presentation | Oral presentation | 20% |
14/10/2024 - 25/10/2024 |
Paper/ Report/ Annotation | Project Report | 70% |
25/10/2024 2:00 pm |
Assessment details
Recording
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Notebook/ Logbook
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
Weekly, each Friday by 2.00 pm.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
Projects involving lab work:
Students will keep a notebook for the laboratory work according to common guidelines in their discipline or the supervisor's specifications. The lab notebook is an important document to record experimental design and data in a manner that can be easily understood by another person from this area of research. It should contain enough detail to enable another person to replicate the experiments. In some cases data may be monitored and stored on electronic devices.
Projects involving theoretical work:
Students must submit a weekly summary of research work undertaken. The exact format of the summary will be determined by the supervisor and may be electronic.
Submission guidelines
Weekly summaries / laboratory notebook are to be submitted to the student's supervisor.
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.
See ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT INFORMATION for the extension and deferred examination information relating to this assessment item.
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 the listed penalty will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point any submission will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is recorded from the time the submission is due.
Literature Review
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- Pass / fail
- Due date
16/09/2024 2:10 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03, L05, L06
Task description
Students have to prepare a literature review on the topic of their research project. An approximate length of the review is 10 printed pages.
The supervisor will provide references for several relevant papers to review however, the review should not be limited to these papers but also include other relevant papers found by the student.
Submission guidelines
Submission via Blackboard (Turnitin).
Students are permitted to submit a draft for checking.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
See ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT INFORMATION for the extension and deferred examination information relating to this assessment item.
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 the listed penalty will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point any submission will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each
24-hour block is recorded from the time the submission is due.
Oral presentation
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Oral
- Category
- Presentation
- Weight
- 20%
- Due date
14/10/2024 - 25/10/2024
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Students will give a presentation about their research project. Typically this presentation is 15-20 minutes in length and given in front of a small group (e.g. during a lab or research group meeting).
The format (including length) can be modified to suit the audience and depends on the supervisor’s preferences.
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.
See ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT INFORMATION for the extension and deferred examination information relating to this assessment item.
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 the listed penalty will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point any submission will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is recorded from the time the submission is due.
Project Report
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation
- Weight
- 70%
- Due date
25/10/2024 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06
Task description
A detailed report must be written in a journal style format.
The report must contain :
- title
- abstract
- introduction with aims and relevance of study
- description of theories, methods and results
- discussion of results as well as consideration of literature
- references
The exact format should follow the guidelines of a journal in the respective field/area of study, specified by the supervisor.
Students need to hand in at least one draft to their supervisor for feedback. It is the responsibility of the student to negotiate a due date with the supervisor so that feedback can be given adequately.
The final project report will be marked by the supervisor with moderation by the course coordinator.
Submission guidelines
Submission via Blackboard (Turnitin). Students are permitted to submit a draft for checking.
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.
See ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT INFORMATION for the extension and deferred examination information relating to this assessment item.
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 the listed penalty will be deducted per day for up to 7 calendar days, at which point any submission will not receive any marks unless an extension has been approved. Each 24-hour block is recorded from the time the submission is due.
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: 1%-24% |
2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 25%-45% |
3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: 46%-49% |
4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 50%-64% |
5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 65%-74% |
6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 75%-84% |
7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: 85%-100% |
Additional course grading information
All assessment items must be completed in order to obtain a passing grade for this course.
In order to receive a passing grade, students must pass the Literature Review hurdle and obtain a mark of at least 40% on the Research Report.
Failure to pass the Literature Review hurdle will result in a grade of 2 for this course.ᅠ
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 in this course may take any form, for example, an oral or a written exam. To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment.
Additional assessment information
Artificial Intelligence
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.
Applications for Extensions to Assessment Due Dates
Extension requests are submitted online via my.UQ – applying for an extension. Extension requests received in any other way will not be approved. Additional details associated with extension requests, including acceptable and unacceptable reasons, may be found at my.UQ.
Please note:
- Requests for an extension to an assessment due date must be submitted through your my.UQ portal and you must provide documentation of your circumstances, as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed. Your application must be submitted on or before the assessment item's due date and time.
- Applications for extension can take time to be processed so you should continue to work on your assessment item while awaiting a decision. We recommend that you submit any completed work by the due date, and this will be marked if your application is not approved. Should your application be approved, then you will be able to resubmit by the agreed revised due date.
- If an extension is approved, you will be notified via your my.UQ portal and the new date and time for submission provided. It is important that you check the revised date as it may differ from the date that you requested.
- If the basis of the application is a medical condition, applications should be accompanied by a medical certificate dated prior to the assignment due date. 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 written statement (Word document) outlining why you cannot provide the documentation. You must then upload the documentation to the portal within 24 hours.
- If an extension is being sought on the basis of exceptional circumstances, it must be accompanied by supporting documentation (eg. Statutory declaration).
- For extensions based on a SAP you may be granted a maximum of 7 days (if no earlier maximum timeframe applies). See the Extension or Deferral availability section of each assessment for details. Your SAP is all that is required as documentation to support your application. However, additional extension requests for the 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.
- An extension for an assessment item due within the teaching period in which the course is offered, must not exceed four weeks in total. If you are incapacitated for a period exceeding four weeks of the teaching period, you are advised to apply for Removal of Course.
- If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 14 days, you are advised to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses this semester. You might be eligible to withdraw without academic penalty - seek advice from the Faculty that administers your program.
- Students may be asked to submit evidence of work completed to date. Lack of adequate progress on your assessment item may result in an extension being denied.
- There are no provisions for exemption from an assessment item within UQ rules. If you are unable to submit an assessment piece then, under special circumstances, you may be granted an exemption, but may be required to submit alternative assessment to ensure all learning outcomes are met.
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
Find the required and recommended resources for this course 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.
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.