ENV BIOL 4020A - Honours Environmental Biology Project Pt 1

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2015

The focus of this course is about the execution of a piece of original research, and on implementing the research proposal developed in the Adv Env Biol (Hons) course (ENV BIOL 4015A/B). The two courses are closely aligned and are designed to be done in parallel at the same time, and interact. The two courses complement each other and form the Honours program in Ecology, Evolution and Landscape Sciences. Students investigate an area of animal, plant and/or environmental biology and discover interesting phenomena to observe, one or more original questions to answer and corresponding hypotheses to test. The project includes the design, execution, analysis and reporting of a discrete research project. The student is largely responsible for the conduct of the project, but receives counsel and direction from a member of staff with relevant expertise.

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Course Details

Course Code	ENV BIOL 4020A
Course	Honours Environmental Biology Project Pt 1
Coordinating Unit	School of Biological Sciences
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Contact	By supervision
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Incompatible	ENV BIOL 4000A/B, ENV BIOL 4005A/B
Restrictions	Available only to students admitted to the relevant Honours program
Assessment	Research project, seminar presentation

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Associate Professor David Paton

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

Course Learning Outcomes

A successful student in this course should be able to:

1	Develop the attributes of a creative, independent and effective Environmental Biology research scientist;
2	Design and manage a substantial research project within constraints of time and budgets;
3	Collect data using a range of appropriate techniques;
4	Analyse and interpret data with appropriate statistical methods;
5	Present data in clear, instructive figures and tables;
6	Prepare a critical discussion of the research in relation to the literature, that also identifies weaknesses and opportunities for further research
7	Write a well organised, clear and concise research paper (thesis);
8	Prepare and defend an oral presentation.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	1-8
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	1-8
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	1-8
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	1,2,5,6,7,8
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	1-8
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	1-8
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	1-8
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	1-8

Learning & Teaching Activities

Learning & Teaching Modes

The research project provides an opportunity for students to develop their skills as a scientist by executing a defined research project, guided by one or more academic staff. The execution of the research project includes the collection, analysis and interpretation of data, and communicating the findings in written (research paper) and oral (seminar) forms. This is an experiential learning process with students learning while doing but supported with appropriate mentorship and collegiality. Although the students focus on executing their own research project they are expected to be actively involved in lab or research group meetings where research is discussed and reviewed, and also expected to attend seminars given by other researchers. These activities will vary in volume and type from research group to research group but are aimed at exposing students to the practice of science which the students can then consider applying to their own research.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

A student enrolled in this course should expect to spend, on average 30 hours per week executing the research project including data collection, analysis, and the writing of the research paper and attending specialist research group meetings and seminars.

Learning Activities Summary

Students in this course are taught the attributes that make an effective, innovative and independent researcher with the capacity and confidence to collect, analyse, interpret and report on research findings at a high level.

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment Task	Task Type	Due	Weighting	Learning Outcome
Research Project Oral Defence	Formative & Summative	Last week in October or mid November	90% 0%	1-8
Seminar Presentation	Formative & Summative	First week in November	10%	1-8

Assessment Detail

Research Project (90%) and Oral Defence (0%)
The research project equates to about 22 weeks of full time work, resulting in a research paper (thesis). There will also be a final seminar (assessed) that is presented after the written project is submitted (see below) and an oral defence.
The project will be written up in the format of a paper suitable for submission to a scientific journal appropriate to specific area of research. Papers should be a maximum of 40 pages of text. Students are required to attend a clarification session with their examiners.

Final seminar (20 minutes including questions; 10%)
A seminar presentation is given after completion of the project and submission of the written paper and is assessed. The seminar will be for 20 minutes including question time. Assessment is based on the presentation style, including the clarity of the presentation and ability to engage with the audience and ability to effectively answer questions.

Submission

If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

NOG (No Grade Associated)
Grade	Description
CN	Continuing

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through .

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

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Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator

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