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Course Outline

NUT410 Nutrition and Dietetics Thesis

Course Coordinator:Fiona Pelly (fpelly@usc.edu.au) School:School of Health - Nutrition and Dietetics

2024Semester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

 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

The course is the culmination of the honours research pathway for the Bachelor of Dietetics. You will develop professional competencies relevant to research practice. You will finalise collection, analysis, and interpretation of the data relevant to your research study. You will subsequently produce an honours thesis that includes a manuscript suitable for submission to a peer-reviewed journal as the write up of your research outcomes.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – The workshops will run during breaks in the 4th year placement timetable. The first workshop will commence at the end of semester 1. Additional workshops will be timetabled throughout semester 2. 3hrs Pre-semester/trimester/session 8 times
Learning materials – Online material and readings will be provided to complete in own time 2hrs Pre-semester/trimester/session 13 times
Independent Study/Research – Regular meetings with the research honours supervisor during allocated research blocks. 1hr Pre-semester/trimester/session 13 times
Independent Study/Research – Work on individual research project and thesis as required 250hrs Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) Once Only

Course Topics

  • Data collection, analysis and interpretation

  • Project management and completion 

  • Writing a thesis

  • Preparing a manuscript for publication 

  • Oral dissemination

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 coherent and advanced knowledge in a core area of Nutrition and Dietetics Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
2 Demonstrate competence in gathering, analysing, consolidating, synthesising and reporting research data Creative and critical thinker
3 Critically evaluate research results and discuss their theoretical and applied implications in the field of research Creative and critical thinker
4 Conduct and report on research in accordance with the national statements on human ethics Ethical
Sustainability-focussed
5 Clearly and coherently communicate research findings and evaluation to a professional audience in oral and written formats 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

NUT333 and NUT312 and NUT302 and NUT361 and NUT301 and NUT309, and enrolled in SC302 Honours Pathway or SC406 Research Pathway

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Students are expected to have adequately progressed their research project prior to commencement of this course. This includes completion of a background literature review, research proposal and human research ethics application (if appropriate to the study design) with approval prior to commencing this course. The course coordinator will require a signed progress report from the supervisor of the project prior to enrolment.

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

In week 3 self-assessment of your progress on your research project and literature review revisions will be discussed in class and relevant feedback and guidance provided by the course coordinator and 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 Report Individual 5% 
2-3 A4 pages
10 minute presentation with 5 minutes of questions
 Refer to Format Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check and in class
All 2 Oral Individual 15% 
20-30 mins
 Refer to Format In Class
All 3 Thesis Individual 80% 
8000- 10,000 word thesis
 Week 13 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Research Progress Report
Goal: 
You will submit a research progress report documenting your progress in honours thus far, including your progress in regards to data collection, analysis and interpretation, and writing of your thesis. You will also provide a timeline towards completion. As part of this assessment, you will be required to present a summary of progress to the honours cohort and supervisors.
Product: Report
Format: 
Maximum of 4 A4 pages, that consists of 1-2 page report and 1-2 page Gantt chart ( timeline)
Oral presentation with no more than 3 slides. The written component will be submitted at the end of week 2. The presentation will be scheduled in the research block ( week 3 or 4).
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Self-assessment and reflection on progress of research
 2 5
2 
Provides a viable timeline to completion based on current progress with research project
 2
3 
Clear and coherent communication
 3 5
4 
Identification of required research tasks and any further development to complete tasks
 2
All - Assessment Task 2:Oral Presentation
Goal: 
You will undertake a 20-30 minute research presentation for your peers, nutrition and dietetic staff and professionals.
Product: Oral
Format: 
The style of presentation will be in the format of a conference presentation. The presentation will be supported using PowerPoint or other visual aids. This will include a 20 minute presentation time and 5-10 minute allowance for questions from the audience. The presentation will be completed in week 13.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Knowledge of the topic area
 1
2 
Selection, analysis and synthesis of content and research evidence
 2 3 4
3 
Ability to answer questions from the audience regarding the research
 1 3 5
4 
Oral presentation skills
 5
5 
Use of visual aids
 2 5
All - Assessment Task 3:Thesis (with manuscript)
Goal: 
In consultation with your supervisor, you shall undertake and submit an honours research thesis.
With advice from your supervisor, you will be responsible for and participate in, all steps of the investigation and reporting. That is, you are responsible for: 
Completion of participant recruitment and data collection; 
Data analysis; 
Interpretation and discussion of findings; and 
Preparation and presentation of a manuscript within the required style and format of your chosen journal.
Product: Thesis
Format: 
The thesis will contain a title page, table of contents, an abstract, an introduction, background literature, a manuscript prepared for submission to an appropriate journal, and a summary/ conclusion and references. The length of your manuscript will be influenced by the requirements of your chosen journal, as well as the type of research (qualitative research articles will typically be longer). The thesis must be submitted in pdf format. There will be two examiners for the thesis ( internal and external).
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Accurately documents research methodology and methods relevant to the project
 2
2 
Quality of data analysis and presentation of results
 2 3 5
3 
Critical interpretation of research results in context of current evidence and implications for practice
 1 3
4 
Written presentation in line with journal requirements
 4 5
5 
Provides background and context based on current evidence relevant to the research
 1

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.

Schedule

Period and Topic Activities 
Weeks 0 to 12
 
Introduction to NUT410 
Research dissemination - thesis and oral presentation
Interpretation and presentation of research
Understanding the peer review publication process and quality of research
This course will include: 
- Presentation of progress to supervisors
- Individual meetings with supervisors
- Regular group meetings with course cohort 
- Group writing sessions with supervisors
 
Week 14
 
Oral presentation assessment

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

Please note that course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site. Students will receive prescribed readings and other research training aids accessible on Canvas.

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

  • 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
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