Zoology Research Project

Subject ZOOL90011 (2013)

Note: This is an archived Handbook entry from 2013.

Credit Points: 50
Level: 9 (Graduate/Postgraduate)
Dates & Locations:

This subject is not offered in 2013.

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 (per 12.5 point loading) is expected.
Total Time Commitment:

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 50 point research project subject would be expected to be engaged in their research for an average of 40 hours per week.

Prerequisites:

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

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. 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.

Contact

Assoc Prof Laura Parry
Email: ljparry@unimelb.edu.au

Dr Tim Dempster
Email: dempster@unimelb.edu.au

Subject Overview:

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.

Objectives:

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.
Assessment:

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%
Prescribed Texts:

None

Recommended Texts:

None

Breadth Options:

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

Fees Information: Subject EFTSL, Level, Discipline & Census Date
Generic Skills:

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.
Related Course(s): Master of Science (Zoology)

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