Environmental Research Project (25)

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Contact Hours: 20 hours. Total Time Commitment: 340 hours.

Permission from Subject Coordinator required to enrol in this subject and is dependent on having an approved project and supervisor.

It is normally expected that students complete this subject in the final one or two semesters of their course. Students are expected to have completed MULT90004 Sustainability, Governance and Leadership, and at least 37.5 points of Master of Environment subjects prior to enrolling in this subject. Students should also have completed a subject that addresses the content and/or methodological techniques of the proposed research topic, or equivalent; or prior knowledge of the research topic.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

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 forms.

A written report and presentation (hurdle requirement) 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 words.

1. 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.

2. 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 arising from a real world problem.
• Demonstrate planning and time management skills.
• Undertake research independently.
• Demonstrate a capacity to communicate research findings clearly, comprehensively and persuasively.