Course Outline

NUR713 Independent Study

Course Coordinator:Jo Wu (cwu@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Nursing

2024Semester 1

Online

Online You can do this course without coming onto campus.

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

This course will provide you with the opportunity to explore in-depth an area of interest relevant to your professional and clinical work.  You will need to develop a proposal for the study that demonstrates your learning and achievement in the course.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Online
Online – Online asynchronous learning and teaching materials and options for lecturer and peer to peer collaborations, and lecturer and peer zoom drop ins. 3hrs Week 1 13 times

Course Topics

Developing a research topic

Different types of literature reviews 

Frameworks for completing a literature review

Tools used for critically appraising the literature 

What level is this course?

700 Level (Specialised)

Demonstrating a specialised body of knowledge and set of skills for professional practice or further learning. Advanced application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts.

What is the unit value of this course?

12 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 Critically reflect on your professional practice. Creative and critical thinker
2 Engage with key concepts and evidence in a chosen topic. Creative and critical thinker
3 Synthesise your learning about the chosen topic in an appropriate written format. Knowledgeable
4 Analyse and explain the implications of your learning about your chosen topic for practice. Empowered
5 Demonstrate appropriate scholarly writing skills with APA 7th referencing style Knowledgeable

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

Enrolled in Program SC514, SC546, SC711, SC723, SC742, SC423 or SC420

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

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

Your first assessment task submission follows negotiation of your study plan in this course and enables the course coordinator to give you feedback to support your development of tasks 2 and 3. This relates to Learning outcome 2 of the course.

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 Plan Individual 10%
500 words
Week 4 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Literature Review (or component) Individual 60%
5000 words
Week 9 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Written Piece Individual 30%
1000 words
Week 13 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Plan/Proposal for Independent Study
Goal:
You will develop and design a plan/proposal for your independent study topic in consultation with the course coordinator.
Product: Plan
Format:
Online submission
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Critical reflection on chosen topic in professional practice
1 2
2
Ability to engage with key concepts and evidence relevant to the chosen topic
2
3
Substantiation of planned project activities (Assessment 2 and 3) with relevant sources
3
4
Communication including: written expression, structure, integration of literature, citations and referencing (APA 7th ed.)
1 2 5
All - Assessment Task 2:Literature Review
Goal:
The goal of this assessment is for you to critique the available literature using a recognised review protocol that is relevant to your chosen topic
Product: Literature Review (or component)
Format:
On line submission of a 5000 word Literature review using a recognised review protocol appropriate to your topic.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Engagement with key concepts and evidence in the chosen topic
2 3
2
Information literacy skills: Systematic approach to conduct of review including selection, access, use of sources and citations
1 2
3
Synthesis of literature and reasoned argument
2 3
4
Critical critique of literature findings to your topic
2 3
5
Communication including: written expression, structure, integration of literature, citation and referencing (APA 7th ed.)
2 3 5
All - Assessment Task 3:Written Piece
Goal:
The goal of this assessment is for you to critically review your learning in your chosen topic considering your initial submitted plan.
Product: Written Piece
Format:
You will draw on your initial plan and the findings from the literature review you conducted in assessment task 2 to develop a written piece that includes reflection on your learning. You will demonstrate engagement with the key concepts, critical reflection on your plan and your learning, synthesis of your learning on your chosen topic and implications for practice.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Application of key concepts with key concepts and evidence in the chosen topic
1 2
2
Critical reflection on your learning
1
3
Synthesis of learning on the chosen topic
3
4
Analysis and explanation of the implications of the learning for practice
4
5
Information literacy skills: use of sources and citations
4
6
Communication including: written expression, structure, integration of literature, citation and referencing (APA 7th ed.)
2 4 5

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?

Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety 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 may 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 after 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 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

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