Course Outline

SCI701 Research/Industry Dissertation 2

Course Coordinator:Anthony Bedford (abedford@usc.edu.au) School:School of Science, Technology and Engineering

2024Trimester 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.

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

In this course, you'll embark on an individual industry project/internship, or further your individual research journey from SCI700. With the mentorship of academic and industry experts (as applicable), you'll harness specialised knowledge, hone time management, and bolster your professional development skills—all pivotal for career growth. Whether you're diving into an industry project/internship or advancing your research project, this course lays the foundation for your future career ambitions.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – 3 hour workshop to debrief 3hrs Week 1 12 times
Online
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – 3 hour online workshop to debrief on progress updates and feedback 3hrs Week 1 12 times

Course Topics

Topics covered will vary depending on student work. All work will include a detailed write-up as well as reflection

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?

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 Identify and apply specific discipline knowledge to plan, conduct and report project activities Creative and critical thinker
2 Apply advanced research and technical skills to conduct project activities Empowered
3 Report on project activities and outcomes using professional communication. Engaged
4 Critically reflect and evaluate on your performance and the development of any outcomes Creative and critical thinker
5 Demonstrate personal and professional responsibility for own learning and work outcomes Engaged

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

Completed 84 credits which must include PRM701 and (BUS703 or BUS512 or BUS514 or BUS515 or HLT701 or PUB708)

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

Each week students will provide updates on their progress. In addition, each task feedback will provide guidance for subsequent tasks.

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 1a Written Piece Individual 10%
500 words
Week 3 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 1b Written Piece Individual 25%
500 words
Week 10 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Written Piece Individual 30%
1000 words
Week 7 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Written Piece Individual 35%
1500 words
Week 12 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1a:Current Career Portfolio
Goal:
To provide a snapshot of your current professional standing, showcasing your skills, experiences, and achievements up to this point.
Product: Written Piece
Format:
A well-structured Career Portfolio detailing your educational background, work experiences, skills, and any relevant certifications or accomplishments. The document should be clear, concise, and professionally formatted to reflect your current career status.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Clear application of specific discipline knowledge in past roles, projects and/or academic pursuits
1
2
Professionally formatted, free of errors, and effectively communicate the individual's career status.
3
All - Assessment Task 1b:Updated portfolio of career
Goal:
To present an updated and enhanced version of your career portfolio, incorporating feedback and reflecting any recent advancements or changes in your career.
Product: Written Piece
Format:
A revised career portfolio that includes any recent achievements, training, or experiences, and should be formatted in a manner that is both visually appealing and easy to navigate.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Application of discipline-specific knowledge, specifically including recent roles and/or projects.
1
2
Clear, concise, and effective communication of the updated career status.
3
All - Assessment Task 2:Project Update
Goal:
To reflect on your academic and personal progress throughout the semester, with a particular emphasis on insights and learning from the projects undertaken in the capstone courses.
Product: Written Piece
Format:
A reflective essay or journal entry providing an update to date on experiences, challenges, and achievements during the industry project(s). This should include specific examples, insights gained, areas of improvement or growth identified, and next steps/actions.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Critical reflection and evaluation of the performance and experiences gained to date.
4 5
2
Clear articulation of specific project activities undertaken to date, emphasising the application of discipline knowledge and technical skills.
1 3
All - Assessment Task 3:Project Outcomes and Reflection
Goal:
To introspectively assess your personal growth and development over the course duration, highlighting key milestones, outcomes of the project, challenges overcome, and areas of improvement.
Product: Written Piece
Format:
This is an individually assessed task.
This is a comprehensive summary of outcomes as well as an overall reflection on the work you completed during the course of the semester. You are expected to critically evaluate the skills gained through this project.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1
Critically reflect and evaluate individual skills gained in working through the
project
4 5
2
Effectively communicates the scope, significance, and impact of the project outcome.
3
3
Application of skills used to complete project requirements in a timely manner
2

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 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