Zoology Research Project

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

Students must satisfy the requirements for entry into the MSc (Zoology program).

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. This subject requires all students to actively and safely participate in laboratory activities. Students who feel their disability may impact upon their participation are encouraged to discuss this with the subject coordinator and the Disability Liaison Unit.

This subject provides students with the opportunity to design and conduct, under supervision, independent research. Specific research projects will depend upon the availability of appropriate expertise, but may address a broad spectrum of zoological issues. Students will take responsibility for a research project, including the design of rigorous field sampling programs, field and/or laboratory experiments; collection, appropriate statistical analysis, and interpretation of data; and providing oral and written presentations of the results. The report describing the research will more closely resemble a scientific paper than a traditional thesis. Students will assimilate and critically evaluate new knowledge within a scientific paradigm, and communicate that knowledge to others. Students will also develop skills in managing a scientific research project, writing scientific reports, providing and responding to peer reviews, and making an oral presentation.

Students enrolled in the Master of Science (Zoology program) are required to complete a 112.5 point Research Project. Students will need to discuss and receive approval for their proposed combination of Research Project subjects (as indicated below) with the course coordinator to ensure they will have completed a total of 112.5 points by the end of their course.

• 654-671 Zoology Research Project - 12.5 points
• 654-672 Zoology Research Project - 25.0 points
• 654-673 Zoology Research Project - 37.5 points
• 654-675 Zoology Research Project - 50.0 points

The objectives of this subject are to provide students with skills in:

• conducting research in zoology;

• designing rigorous experimental and sampling programs;

• taking responsibility for managing a research project;

• preparing and giving an oral and written presentation of the results;

• expressing persuasive intellectual, scientific arguments;

• assimilating and critically evaluating existing knowledge within a scientific paradigm; and

• developing a justified budget for their proposed research.

The assessment requirements below are applicable to the entire 112.5 point Research Project.

A literature review of 4000 words, due toward the end of the first semester of this subject (pass/fail); a grant proposal/project brief of 2000 words, due in the early part of the second semester of this subject (15%); a final oral presentation (20 minutes) (pass/fail), due towards the end of the final semester of this subject; and a major research report of up to 10,000 words, due towards the end of the final semester of this subject (85%).

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

At the completion of this subject, students should gain skills in:

• articulating the breadth of knowledge gained in a particular discipline;

• critical appraisal of draft documents;

• developing the ability to exercise critical judgement;

• expressing persuasive intellectual arguments;

• high level written report presentations;

• managing a research project;

• oral communication and presentation;

• rigorous and independent thinking; and

• time management and self-management skills.