Course Outline

HNE423 Honours Research – Project Examination

Course Coordinator:Sankar Subramanian (ssankara@usc.edu.au) School:School of Science, Technology and Engineering

2024Semester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

In this course you will consolidate your research in the form of a thesis/project report for examination and make a final presentation to your peers and a panel of examiners. For students studying full time, the course provides an opportunity for advanced work on your project (HNE422) while concurrently preparing your thesis/project report and final presentation for examination (HNE423). For part-time students, the course provides an opportunity to consolidate your work for presentation for examination. Your Supervisor will provide guidance on the format of the thesis/project report.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Independent Study/Research – As per Honours handbook - assessed items include thesis and final oral presentation 300hrs Week 1 Once Only

Course Topics

Topics covered in this course will depend on the research area of the student’s honours project.

What level is this course?

400 Level (Graduate)

Demonstrating coherence and breadth or depth of knowledge and skills. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts. Meeting professional requirements and AQF descriptors for the degree. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory or developing knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally undertaken in the third or fourth full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

24 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Demonstrate advanced theoretical and technical knowledge associated with a specific discipline area of science. Knowledgeable
2 Demonstrate a coherent and advanced knowledge of research principles and methods. Knowledgeable
3 Demonstrate the potential to make original contributions to scientific knowledge and to integrate research findings with the current body of disciplinary knowledge/paradigms. Engaged
4 Communicate knowledge, data, arguments and research findings clearly and coherently in oral and written format to peers and other scientific audiences through advanced English language, numeracy and technological skills. Creative and critical thinker
Empowered

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

HNE420, HNE421 and must be enrolled in SC401

Co-requisites

HNE422

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

English; Maths A, B or C; and at least one of the sciences.

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Standard Grading (GRD)

High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL).

Details of early feedback on progress

Feedback is given continuously throughout the year, and at the program level, by the students Honours supervisors.	

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group Weighting % What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Thesis Individual 80%
15,000 - 25,000 words
Exam Period Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Oral Individual 20%
15min + 5 min questions
Refer to Format In Class
All - Assessment Task 1:Thesis/project report
Goal:
The goal of this task is to consolidate your research in a written scientific format for examination.
Product: Thesis
Format:
This is the primary output of the research project and comprises either a research thesis or research project report as described in guidelines provided to students at the beginning of their enrolment. 

The completed thesis/project report is normally 15,000–25,000 words in length. The required length is determined by the precise nature of the research and should comply with norms of the discipline, in consultation with the supervisor.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
A copy of your thesis/research project report will be sent to two independent examiners, one of whom is normally internal and the other of whom is external to USC. A rubric is provided in the Honours handbook.
1
2
The examination criteria will include:
•	Demonstration of advanced theoretical and technical knowledge associated with a specific discipline area of science;
2
3
•	Demonstration of a coherent and advanced knowledge of research principles and methods;
3
4
•	Demonstration of the potential to make original contributions to scientific knowledge and to integrate research findings with the current body of disciplinary knowledge/paradigms; and
4
5
•	Communication of knowledge, data, arguments and research findings clearly and coherently in written format to peers and other scientific audiences through advanced English language, numeracy and technological skills.
3 4
All - Assessment Task 2:Final Presentation
Goal:
The goal of this task is to present your research in an oral scientific format for examination.
Product: Oral
Format:
15 minutes (+ 5 minute question time), individually presented spoken presentation to the University community. Due week following exam period.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
This assessment task will be evaluated against a marking schema available in the Honours handbook.
1
2
The examination criteria will include:
•	Demonstration of advanced theoretical and technical knowledge associated with a specific discipline area of science;
2
3
•	Demonstration of a coherent and advanced knowledge of research principles and methods;
2
4
•	Demonstration of the potential to make original contributions to scientific knowledge and to integrate research findings with the current body of disciplinary knowledge/paradigms; and
3
5
•	Communication of knowledge, data, arguments and research findings clearly and coherently in written format to peers and other scientific audiences through advanced English language, numeracy and technological skills.
4

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Risk assessments have been performed for all studio and laboratory classes and a low level of health and safety risk exists. Some risk concerns may include equipment, instruments, and tools; as well as manual handling items within the laboratory. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment

Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying:

The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%
The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale
You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct

Assessment: Submission penalties

Late submission of assessment tasks will be penalised at the following maximum rate:

5% (of the assessment task’s identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task
10% (of the assessment task’s identified value) for the third day
20% (of the assessment task’s identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task
A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task.
Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late.

To request an extension, you must contact your Course Coordinator and supply the required documentation to negotiate an outcome.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au