Zoology Research Project

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2013:

This subject is an individual research project and weekly contact hours will vary depending on the nature of the project. Students should discuss this with their supervisor but as a guide, a student enrolled in a 25 point research project subject would be expected to be engaged in their research for an average of 20 hours per week.

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

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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. Students will also develop skills in critically evaluating new knowledge within a scientific paradigm. Specific research projects will depend upon the availability of appropriate expertise, but will address questions in ecology, conservation, animal behaviour, marine biology, reproductive physiology and developmental biology. Students will take responsibility for their own research project, including the design and management of field and/or laboratory experiments; collection, analysis and interpretation of data; and communicating the results through oral and written presentations. The final research report will more closely resemble a scientific paper than a traditional thesis.

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

• conducting independent research in ecology, conservation, animal behaviour, marine biology, reproductive physiology or developmental biology;
• reviewing and critically assessing scientific literature;
• designing laboratory and/or experiments with advanced scientific techniques;
• analysing and interpreting scientific data; and
• written and oral presentations.

The assessment requirements below are applicable to the entire 125 points of Research Project subjects.

• Research proposal (up to 4000 words): Second semester of year 1, 15%
• Oral presentation (20 minutes): End of the final semester of year 2, 10%
• Research performance evaluation over years 1 and 2 from the supervisor (s): End of the final semester of year 2, 10%
• Final research report (up to 10,000 words): End of the final semester of year 2, 65%

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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;
• exercising critical judgement, independent thinking and problem solving;
• expressing persuasive intellectual arguments;
• managing a research project;
• writing scientific reports;
• oral communication of results, and
• time management and self-management skills.