| Semester 1, 2020 Online | |
| Short Description: | Research Project A |
| Units : | 1 |
| Faculty or Section : | Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences |
| School or Department : | School of Civil Engineering and Surveying |
| Student contribution band : | Band 2 |
| ASCED code : | 039999 - EnginTech not classified |
| Grading basis : | Graded |
Staffing
Examiner:
Requisites
Pre-requisite: (PSG3900 or ENG3902) and ENG4110 and Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: BSPS or BSPH or BURP. Students must complete PSG4111 and PSG4112 in the same year.
Other requisites
Undergraduate students must have completed 22 units in their program and complete PSG4112 in the following semester.
Rationale
Project work undertaken by individuals is a central part of surveying, planning and spatial science practice. At the professional level project work routinely involves research, in the sense that there are non-standard requirements to be met and non-standard problems to be overcome. This course, combined with PSG4112 Research Project Part 2, prepares the student for professional practice and, discipline specific research project work. With the guidance of supervisor/s, the student will augment, integrate and demonstrate skills spanning both the technical and non-technical dimensions of surveying, planning and spatial science at the professional level. The project (PSG4111 Research Project Part 1 immediately followed by PSG4112 Research Project Part 2) will develop and test the ability to define and analyse the problem, to develop solutions to the problem, to make the necessary decisions, convert ideas into useful outcomes and to cope with the unexpected problems encountered in testing and evaluation. All of this must be accomplished in a tight timeframe, within resource limitations and with due regard for safety, social and ethical considerations.
Synopsis
The project (comprising PSG4111 Research Project A immediately followed by PSG4112 Research Project B) is intended to integrate and augment the student's total formal knowledge by means of its application to a real problem at the appropriate professional level. This course (being the first half of the project) will comprise firstly the selection, negotiation and approval of a project topic appropriate to the student's major study. Following this the student will (i) research the background, context and literature, (ii) develop an appropriate methodology, (iii) demonstrate a sound appreciation of the overall task and its constraints by formal reporting, and (iv) make substantial progress in the execution of the work.
Objectives
The course objectives define the student learning outcomes for a course. On successful completion of this course, students should be able to:
- identify and make appropriate progress in a discipline specific research project;
- find and critically review the quality and value of information from published literature and other contextual sources;
- identify and address sustainability, safety and ethical issues associated with a discipline specific research project;
- define the goals, determine an appropriate methodology, a realistic schedule, and the resource requirements for the execution of a discipline specific research project;
- provide an appropriately structured project planning report;
- establish, manage and maintain appropriate interaction and reporting with the designated supervisor during all phases of a discipline specific research project.
Topics
| Description | Weighting(%) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Project work in which students will plan, commence and make substantial progress in an individual, generally open-ended task which will encompass a range of technical and academic skills appropriate to the student's major study. These will include ALL of the following: literature research and evaluation; determination of consequences; and planning and self- management. | 30.00 |
| 2. | Project work tasks will also include some (and often many) of the following: planning and management; feasibility assessment; experimental work and trialling; fieldwork; data analysis; design; prototype construction and testing; simulation and modelling; financial analysis. | 40.00 |
| 3. | Project work will be undertaken with the guidance of a supervisor/s appointed from the academic staff of the Faculty. Sponsors and technical advisors external to the Faculty may also be involved. | 10.00 |
| 4. | Report writing. | 20.00 |
Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed
ALL textbooks and materials available to be purchased can be sourced from (unless otherwise stated). (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/textbooks/?year=2020&sem=01&subject1=PSG4111)
Please for alternative purchase options from USQ Bookshop. (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/info/contact/)
Reference materials
Student workload expectations
| Activity | Hours |
|---|---|
| Private 精东传媒app | 20.00 |
| Project Work | 90.00 |
| Report Writing | 30.00 |
| Supervisor Consultation | 15.00 |
Assessment details
| Description | Marks out of | Wtg (%) | Due Date | Objectives Assessed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assign 1 Topic Allocation | 1 | 06 Mar 2020 | 1 | ||
| Assign 2 Research Proposal | 10 | 10 | 20 Mar 2020 | 2,3 | |
| Assign 3 Research Report | 90 | 90 | 29 May 2020 | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
Important assessment information
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Attendance requirements:
Students must attend project supervision meetings (normally weekly) as negotiated with or directed by their nominated supervisor/s. -
Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
To complete each of the assessment items satisfactorily students must meet the requirements of the item as set-out in the PSG4111/2 Project Reference Book. -
Penalties for late submission of required work:
Students should refer to the Assessment Procedure (point 4.2.4) -
Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must obtain at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course (i.e. the Primary Hurdle), and have satisfied the Secondary Hurdle, i.e. achieve a mark of 1 out of 1 for the topic allocation; and the research proposal and research report by achieving at least 50% of the weighted marks available for those assessment items.
Supplementary assessment may be offered where a student has undertaken all of the required summative assessment items and has passed the Primary Hurdle but failed to satisfy the Secondary Hurdle (proficiency), or has satisfied the Secondary Hurdle (proficiency) but failed to achieve a passing Final Grade by 5% or less of the total weighted Marks
To be awarded a passing grade for a supplementary assessment item (if applicable), a student must achieve at least 50% of the available marks for the supplementary assessment item as per the Assessment Procedure (point 4.4.2). -
Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
Not applicable. -
Examination information:
There is no examination in this course. -
Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
Not applicable. -
精东传媒app Student Policies:
Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene 精东传媒app policies and practices. These policies can be found at .
Assessment notes
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1. Students must familiarise themselves with the USQ Assessment Procedures (.
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(i) This is a communication benchmark course and a major component of the assessment of this course will be associated with the demonstration of communication skills.
(ii) The required standard of communication skills must be demonstrated in order for a passing grade to be achieved. Sub-standard communication will result in an IM (Incomplete - Make Up) grade irrespective of the quality of the technical work of the project. -
The Examiner may grant an extension of any deadlines in exceptional circumstances, such as prolonged illness. To ensure equity between students only the Examiner may grant an extension. Application for such an extension must be made in writing to the Examiner and fully justified. The decision will be made with the advice of the supervisor/s.
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Referencing in Assignments must comply with the Harvard (AGPS) referencing system. This system should be used by students to format details of the information sources they have cited in their work. The Harvard (APGS) style to be used is defined by the USQ library鈥檚 referencing guide. These policies can be found at
Other requirements
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ENROLMENT. Students must undertake the project courses (PSG4111 Research Project Part 1 followed by PSG4112 Research Project Part 2) in the same calendar year and is normally expected to be their final year of enrolment in the program.