Research Project A

Subject 600-311 (2009)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2009. Search for this in the current handbook

Credit Points:	12.50
Level:	3 (Undergraduate)
Dates & Locations:	This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009: For information about these dates, click here.
Time Commitment:	Contact Hours: Distribution of time between specific tasks will be decided in negotiation with the supervisor, but an overall weekly commitment of 10 hours per week is expected. Total Time Commitment: 120 hours total time commitment.
Prerequisites:	Good results in a discipline appropriate to the project and approval of the relevant Head of Department and Science Student Centre.
Corequisites:	None
Recommended Background Knowledge:	None
Non Allowed Subjects:	None
Core Participation Requirements:	It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study and reasonable steps will be made to enhance a student’s participation in the University’s programs. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their active and safe participation in a subject are encouraged to discuss this with the relevant subject coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

Contact

Science Student Centre

Old Geology building

University of Melbourne

Victoria 3010

AUSTRALIA

Telephone +61 3 8344 6404

Facsimile +61 3 8344 5803

http://www.science.unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:	An individual program of supervised research and study. Detailed requirements are to be negotiated with the supervisor and approved by the faculty. Each student will receive feedback on their progress through ongoing consultation with their supervisor.
Objectives:	Despite the differences between individual programs, each aims to provide students with the opportunities to gain expertise in project design, management and reporting.
Assessment:	Assessment of the research project is primarily on the basis of a written report, including data presented in a variety of formats, up to the equivalent of 4000 words which is submitted at the end of semester. Some assessment variations between programs occur reflecting the differing requirements of typical projects in those programs, with each assessing the student's overall research competence demonstrated in carrying out and reporting their research project outcomes. Botany: report (70%), 30-minute oral report during toward the end of semester (30%). Chemistry, Earth Sciences, Information Systems, Mathematics and Statistics: report (100%). Zoology: report (70%), research competence assessed by individual student's contribution to project design and implementation (30%).
Prescribed Texts:	None
Breadth Options:	This subject potentially can be taken as a breadth subject component for the following courses: Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of Commerce Bachelor of Environments Bachelor of Music You should visit learn more about breadth subjects and read the breadth requirements for your degree, and should discuss your choice with your student adviser, before deciding on your subjects.
Fees Information:	Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:	In particular, we expect students to develop skills in: locating and synthesising information available in scientific (and in some cases other) literature in order to establish the need for, and potential scope and context of, the research project; developing creative ways of solving unfamiliar problems by devising a methodological approach to address the research question being raised; managing the time allocated to completing specific tasks; collecting and analysing data (qualitative and quantitative) including an assessment of the statistical validity of the research results; and communicating the results in written form, requiring critical analysis, synthesis and organisation of knowledge, and the construction of a rational and lucid scientific argument. Depending on the project, students may also find they learn other important skills such as how to take account of ethical considerations in designing a project.
Notes:	Students enrolled in the BSc (pre-2008 BSc), BASc or a combined BSc course will receive science credit for the completion of this subject. Science students wishing to be considered for this subject must complete an Undergraduate Research Project Proposal form and submit it to the Science Student Centre. This form is available from the Science Student Centre and must be signed by the relevant Head of Department. This undergraduate research project subject is available in the following Departments/Schools: Botany Chemistry Earth Sciences Information Systems Mathematics and Statistics Zoology
Related Course(s):	Bachelor of Biomedical Science
Related Majors/Minors/Specialisations:	Botany Cell Biology Geology Marine Biology Reproduction and Development Vision Science

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