Environmental Research Project (25)

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2014:

Contact Hours: 20 hours. Total Time Commitment: 240 hours.

Permission from Subject Coordinator required

Students must be enrolled in, or have already completed, the following subjects:

Completion of a subject that addresses the content and/or methodological techniques of the proposed research topic, or equivalent; or prior knowledge of the research topic.

The Melbourne School of Land and Environment (MSLE) welcomes applications from students with disabilities. It is University and School policy to take reasonable steps to make reasonable adjustments so as to enable the student’s participation in the School’s programs. MSLE contributes to the New Generation degrees and offers a broad range of programs across undergraduate and post-graduate levels many of which adopt a multi-disciplinary approach.

Students of the School’s courses must possess intellectual, ethical, and emotional capabilities required to participate in the full curriculum and to achieve the levels of competence required by the School. Candidates must have abilities and skills in observation; motor in relevant areas; communication; in conceptual, integrative, and quantitative dimensions; and in behavioural and social dimensions.

Adjustments can be provided to minimise the impact of a disability, however students need to be able to participate in the program in an independent manner and with regard to their safety and the safety of others.

I. Observation: In some contexts, the student must be able to observe demonstrations and experiments in the basic and applied sciences. More broadly, observation requires reading text, diagrams, maps, drawings and numerical data. The candidate should be able to observe details at a number of scales and record useful observations in discipline dependant contexts.

II. Communication: A candidate should be able to communicate with fellow students, professional and academic staff, members of relevant professions and the public. A candidate must be able to communicate effectively and sensitively. Communication includes not only speech but also reading and writing.

III. Motor: Candidates should have sufficient motor function necessary for participation in the inherent discipline-related activities. The practical work, design work, field work, diagnostic procedures, laboratory tests, require varying motor movement abilities. Off campus investigations may include visits to construction sites, urban, rural and/or remote environments.

IV. Intellectual-Conceptual, Integrative and Quantitative Abilities: These abilities include measurement, calculation, reasoning, analysis, and synthesis. Problem solving, the critical skill demanded of professionals in land and environment industries, requires all of these intellectual abilities. In addition, the candidate should be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and to understand the spatial relationships of structures.

V. Behavioural and Social Attributes: A candidate must possess behavioural and social attributes that enable them to participate in a complex learning environment. Students are required to take responsibility for their own participation and learning. They also contribute to the learning of other students in collaborative learning environments, demonstrating interpersonal skills and an understanding of the needs of other students. Assessment may include the outcomes of tasks completed in collaboration with other students.

Students who feel their disability will prevent them from meeting the above academic requirements are encouraged to contact the Disability Liaison Unit.

This subject allows students to conduct an independent, original research project in a specified area of environment and sustainability. The project comprises a review of a body of literature, a review and discussion of methodology and/ or an evaluation of research or experimental protocols and some original research. The specific focus of the research project will be initiated by the student arising from their keen interests and consultations with other networks and academic staff with relevant expertise. Proposals for research projects must be submitted to the subject coordinator in the semester prior to commencement in the subject. Final approval for the topic lies with the subject co-ordinator.

The work will be equivalent to lecture and practical based subjects worth 25 points. The work commitment includes regular one hour meetings with supervisors where students report on progress, difficulties and research plans. Workshops conducted by the subject coordinator will deliver skill development in research practice including oral and written report presentation, with a focus on communication of research in interdisciplinary contexts.

• Undertake original research on topic pertaining to sustainability or environment
• Integration and application of disciplinary knowledge and skills to an independently generated research question and investigation
• Analyze and synthesize salient features and important theoretical, methodological and empirical trends in published literature and data.
• Present research findings in clear, concise and persuasive written and verbal formsls

A written report based on the student’s original work and additional assessment tasks as required by supervisor (from list below) to word limit (or equivalent) 10,000-14,000 words.

• A research report weighted at no less than 60% of the final score, to be submitted at the end of semester to be assessed by the two academics of the supervisor’s choice.
• If final research report is less than 100% of assessment as determined by a supervisor, additional assessment tasks (and suggested weightings) are to be chosen by supervisors from the following list:
  • Detailed research proposal (10-40%), Comprehensive literature review (10-40%),
  • Research diary (hurdle or 5-20%); Lab notes (hurdle or 10-40%),
  • Fieldnotes (hurdle or 10-40%), Presentation (10-20%),
  • Preparation of data, specimens for museum curation and data repositories (hurdle or 10-40%),
  • Short lay article eg opinion piece, article for ‘The Conversation’, brochure for practitioners, service providers and users (Hurdle or 10 – 30%).

Additional assessment tasks to be submitted at dates nominated by supervisors and throughout semester and to be assessed by the supervisor or a person (or persons) of the supervisor’s choice.

Some relevant texts will be recommended by the supervisor.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Students will

• Enhance their skills in critical thinking
• Apply critical thinking skills and foundational research skills to develop and address a research question
• Demonstrate planning and time management skills
• Undertake research independently
• Demonstrate a capacity to communicate research findings clearly, comprehensively and persuasively