Course specification for SCI4403

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SCI4403 Special ¾«¶«´«Ã½app in Science

Semester 1, 2020 On-campus Toowoomba
Short Description: Special ¾«¶«´«Ã½app in Science
Units : 1
Faculty or Section : Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences
School or Department : School of Sciences
Student contribution band : Band 2
ASCED code : 019999 - Natural and Physical Sciences
Grading basis : Graded

Staffing

Examiner:

Rationale

This course will allow the student to choose a topic from within any science sub-discipline he/she has studied as an undergraduate and obtain advanced knowledge by private study. The topic chosen should complement the specific research project the student is simultaneously undertaking. Placements in this course depend on availability of a supervisor in the chosen area.

Synopsis

The subject matter studied by students taking this course will vary, in order to complement the student's research projects. The student will be expected to gain knowledge in a selected field by private study consulting appropriate literature available through the library or provided by the supervisor. The special study in science area chosen will be assigned after consultation with the examiner and the appropriate Program Coordinator. Students may be directed to a certain science study, or they may be asked to nominate an appropriate study. To fulfil entry requirements, students must provide the course examiner a satisfactory study plan, endorsed by the appropriate Program Coordinator/Supervisor, by the end of week 1 of the semester in which they are taking the course. It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities (such as lectures, tutorials, laboratories and practical work) scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.

Objectives

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

  1. demonstrate an understanding of a major area of science at a level beyond that normally covered in undergraduate programs;
  2. complement with advanced background knowledge the Science Project (Honours: SCI4409 and SCI4410) which each student is undertaking.

Topics

Description Weighting(%)
1. No detailed teaching contents can be specified for this course. Students will be expected to read broadly and extensively within their chosen area of interest. Areas of study will be chosen in consultation with the Examiner and the Project Supervisor. Where appropriate, students will be permitted to study material from senior undergraduate courses, up to a value of one unit. 100.00

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=SCI4403)

Please for alternative purchase options from USQ Bookshop. (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/info/contact/)

There are no texts or materials required for this course.

Reference materials

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.
The supervisor may provide a few key references as a starting point for the student's literature search.

Student workload expectations

Activity Hours
Private ¾«¶«´«Ã½app 160.00
Supervisor Consultation 10.00

Assessment details

Description Marks out of Wtg (%) Due Date Notes
APPROVED ASSESSMENT PROGRAM 100 100 04 Jun 2020 (see note 1)

Notes
  1. Refer to Honours Guidelines for information about assignment due dates.

Important assessment information

  1. Attendance requirements:
    The special study in science area chosen will be assigned after consultation with the examiner and the appropriate Program Coordinator. Students may be directed to a certain science study, or they may be asked to nominate an appropriate study. It is the students' responsibility to attend and participate appropriately in all activities scheduled for them, and to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.

  2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
    To be advised when the student's Special ¾«¶«´«Ã½app in Science is determined.

  3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
    Students should refer to the Assessment Procedure (point 4.2.4)

  4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
    To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.

  5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
    To be advised when the student's Special ¾«¶«´«Ã½app in Science is determined.

  6. Examination information:
    To be determined when the student's Special ¾«¶«´«Ã½app in Science is determined.

  7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
    To be determined when the student's Special ¾«¶«´«Ã½app in Science is determined.

  8. ¾«¶«´«Ã½app Student Policies:
    Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene ¾«¶«´«Ã½app policies and practices. These policies can be found at .

Assessment notes

  1. Harvard (AGPS) is the referencing system required in this course. Students should use Harvard (AGPS) style in their assignments to format details of the information sources they have cited in their work. The Harvard (AGPS) style to be used is defined by the USQ Library's referencing guide.

  2. The supervisor will advise the student and the examiner of the details of the study and assessment program in writing by the end of week 3 of the semester as in TOPICS above.

  3. Assessment for the course will vary according to the nature of the study undertaken by each student. By the end of the third week of semester, the supervisor will provide the examiner, for approval by the Honours Committee: (i) an outline of the study; (ii) the objectives of the study; (iii) the format, timing and weighting of the assessment items for the study; (iv) a statement about attendance requirements; (v) requirements of students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily; (vi) penalties for late submission of required work; (vii) requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course; (viii) the method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade; (ix) examination information; (x) examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held; (xi) any other requirements deemed necessary by the Examiner.

  4. Students should be aware that the originality of any assignment submitted may be checked by the USQ service, "Turnitin" at <www.turnitin.com>. The student will be notified if an originality report is required with an assignment and students are encouraged to use Turnitin before submitting any assignment.

Date printed 19 June 2020