Course specification for SCI8102

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Course specification
The current and official versions of the course specifications are available on the web at .
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SCI8102 Research Skills

Semester 1, 2020 Online
Short Description: Research Skills
Units : 1
Faculty or Section : Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences
School or Department : School of Sciences
Student contribution band : Band 3
ASCED code : 120199 - General Education Programmes n
Grading basis : Graded

Staffing

Examiner:

Rationale

This science course aims to enable students to develop research skills to a level consistent with the requirements of the Australian Qualifications Framework. On completion of this course students are expected to gain specialised knowledge and skills to independently research and apply established theories and interpret and transmit knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences. The use of project-based learning provides students with an opportunity to carry out an in-depth study of a topic relevant to their study area.

Synopsis

This course provides students with an opportunity to develop scientific research skills by conducting directed research using existing data and submitting a detailed report. On completion of this course students are expected to gain specialised knowledge and skills to independently research and apply established theories and interpret and transmit knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences. The use of project-based learning provides students with an opportunity to carry out an in-depth study of a topic relevant to their program study area.

Objectives

On completion of this course students are expected to be able to:

  1. demonstrate a general understanding of the nature of science and the scientific method
  2. evaluate relevant scientific literature using information technology and critical analysis
  3. apply research techniques, theoretical knowledge and problem-solving specific to the project
  4. demonstrate skills in the graphical and written presentation of scientific research.

Topics

Description Weighting(%)
1. Each student will normally select a topic from a range of topics proposed by staff. 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=SCI8102)

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

There is no fixed text book for this course. Such journals, monographs and other printed materials as are appropriate for the research topic chosen will be available at the library.

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.
Australian Government Publishing Service 2002, Style Manual: For authors, editors and printers, 6th edn, Wiley, Australia.
Barrass, R 2002, Scientists Must Write, 2nd edn, Chapman & Hall, London.
Day, RA 2016, How to write & publish a scientific paper, 8th edn, Cambridge ¾«¶«´«Ã½app Press, Cambridge.
Farr, AD 1985, Science writing for beginners, Blackwell Scienctific, Oxford.
Leaver, RH and Thomas, TR 1974, Analysis and presentation of experimental results, MacMillian, London.
The examiner and/or supervisor may recommend other texts or reading materials specific to the topic when the project topic has been finalised.
Referencing Resources are available at .

Student workload expectations

Activity Hours
Private ¾«¶«´«Ã½app 85.00
Report Writing 85.00

Assessment details

Description Marks out of Wtg (%) Due Date Notes
Approved Assessment Program 100 100 18 Jun 2020 (see note 1)

Notes
  1. Examiner will advise the details for the Approved Assessment Program.

Important assessment information

  1. Attendance requirements:
    There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students' responsibility 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 complete each of the assessment items satisfactorily, students must obtain at least 50% of the marks available for each assessment item.

  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:
    The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.

  6. Examination information:
    There is no examination in this course.

  7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
    There will be no Deferred or Supplementary examinations in this course.

  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. THE ROLE OF EXAMINER - The examiner will be responsible for all activities associated with administering the course. The examiner will only approve a student's enrolment upon submission of a completed and signed Project Description form. The examiner has final responsibility for the grading of marks.

  2. THE ROLE OF THE PROJECT SUPERVISOR - The project supervisor should normally be a staff member of the School of ACES and will provide advice and guidance to the student. The supervisor will be responsible for evaluating the report but may seek advice from other staff members to assist in their evaluation of the student.

  3. PROJECT REPORT - The project report shall be submitted electronically to the examiner on or before the deadline advised by the Examiner. The general layout or format of the report must be similar to that found in a scientific journal.

  4. INCOMPLETE GRADES - A final project report that is graded Incomplete (Make-up) may be re-submitted for grading only once at the discretion of the Supervisor. Students should therefore heed the Supervisor’s suggestions for improvement or the final grade shall be a "fail". It will be necessary for students re-enrolling in the course to undertake a new topic for their project.

  5. Projects that involve Animals or Human Subject will need to be considered by either the Animal Ethics Committee or the Ethics Committee for Research involving Human Subjects. (Reference:USQ Policy – Code of Conduct for the Responsible Practice of Research Policy and Procedure).

  6. In accordance with ¾«¶«´«Ã½app's Assignment Extension Policy (USQ Assessment Policy), the examiner of a course may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances.

  7. 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.

Date printed 19 June 2020