Course specification for SCI9012

¾«¶«´«Ã½app

USQ Logo
The current and official versions of the course specifications are available on the web at .
Please consult the web for updates that may occur during the year.

SCI9012 Master of Science Research Project B

Semester 1, 2020 On-campus Toowoomba
Short Description: Master Science Research Proj B
Units : 2
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 : Pass/Not Pass

Staffing

Examiner:

Requisites

Pre-requisite: Student must be enrolled in the following Program: MSCR

Rationale

This course is part of a supervised research project which provides opportunities for motivated and highly qualified students to undertake advanced study and to produce a research-based thesis. Students develop the appropriate research skills and specialist knowledge which will enhance their career prospects or allow them to undertake further studies. The emphasis of the programme is on developing the appropriate knowledge and skills to undertake independent research and professional practice.

Synopsis

Candidates is the Master of Science (Research) will undertake studies on their research project in consultation with their Project Supervisors.

The Research Proposal is developed in this course as part of the confirmation of candidature in the MSCR program. Admission to the Master of Science (Research) program is normally provisional until the student successfully completes the Confirmation of Candidature process. The following areas will normally be addressed in the Confirmation Proposal:
- aims and objectives of the research;
- review of the relevant literature;
- proposed contribution to the field of research;
- details of the proposed research methods, including analysis of data;
- draft research ethics application, if appropriate;
- milestones and timelines;
- resources required to complete the research; and
- an indication of the type of Thesis expected to be submitted (e.g. Standard Thesis, Thesis by Publication).

Objectives

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

  1. deliver a detailed seminar and written confirmation proposal for their project
  2. if appropriate, gain ethical clearance for their project
  3. identify suitable research topics
  4. undertake independent research
  5. apply appropriate communication skills
  6. report research outcomes.

Topics

Description Weighting(%)
1. To be determined by the Supervisor in consultation with the student 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=SCI9012)

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.
To be determined by the student's supervisor.

Student workload expectations

Activity Hours
Private ¾«¶«´«Ã½app 330.00

Assessment details

Description Marks out of Wtg (%) Due Date Notes
Confirmation Proposal 100 99 26 Feb 2020 (see note 1)
Progress Report 1 1 26 Feb 2020 (see note 2)

Notes
  1. Faculty Research Office will advise due date for Confirmation Proposal.
  2. Office of Research Graduate Studies and Higher Degrees will advise due date for Progress Report.

Important assessment information

  1. Attendance requirements:
    It is the student’s responsibility to attend regular meetings with the supervisory team to discuss their research progress.

  2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
    Progress Reports: Students must submit a Progress Report in consultation with their supervisor. As part of their research program, students are expected to demonstrate satisfactory progress. To complete the confirmation seminar and written proposal satisfactorily, students must submit the proposal and deliver a seminar (addressing the requirements of the marking scheme and guidelines provided) to the MSCR review panel for assessment.

  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:
    Progress Report: HDR students must submit a progress report and deemed to be making Satisfactory Progress by the supervisor and ADR to receive a SP grade. Confirmation Proposal: HDR students must submit a written proposal and present a seminar deemed to be making Satisfactory Progress by the supervisor/s, assessment panel and ADR to receive a SP grade.

  5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
    The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks /grades obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.

  6. Examination information:
    There is no examination for 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. In accordance with ¾«¶«´«Ã½app policy, the examiner may grant an extension of the due date of an assignment in extenuating circumstances.

  2. The confirmation proposal will follow standard USQ guidelines.

  3. The written confirmation proposal and confirmation seminar in this course will normally be marked by a panel of reviewers.

  4. Completion of the final course in the Master of Science (Research) program is by thesis examination.

  5. In the absence of an approved alternative (such as APA for Psychology students), students should use the Harvard (AGPS) as the default referencing 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. Students may be granted permission to use an alternative system at the time at which the project is approved.

Date printed 19 June 2020