Short Research Project

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Students can undertake this subject in either Semester 1 OR Semester 2. If you wish to complete the Short Project over 1 year please enrol in FRST90076. Please note that students in the Master of Urban Horticulture are only permitted to study the Short Research Project over one semester.

300 hours total time commitment to this subject. This subject may involve regular weekly meetings with the subject coordinator depending upon the project.

Eligibility for honours or postgraduate degree - Undertaking a research project is conditional upon obtaining approval from a supervisor with consideration to appropriate subjects undertaken in their Masters

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject enables students to conduct an original research topic, under supervision approved by the subject coordinator. The work commitment will be equivalent to lecture and practical based subjects worth 25 points. The content and extent of the project will be determined by a project supervisor in consultation with the student and subject coordinator. Students are strongly encouraged to initiate project ideas within existing networks or to identify a project topic of keen interest, through discussion with subject coordinator, prior to subject commencement. The project represents a capstone subject and comprises a review of a body of relevant literature, together with a critical evaluation of research or experimental protocols, a modest original experiment, or limited exploration of a scientific problem, or an investigation into a problem using an approved methodology. Following an initial workshop to establish subject expectations, deliverables and skill base requirements, projects may involve regular one hour meetings with their supervisor where students report on progress, difficulties and research plans. Other workshops will deliver skill development in oral and written report presentation.

The assignments include a project proposal, researching an area of importance to an industry related to your degree. This will include a synopsis of the literature to provide context and rationale, together with an approach or protocol for a modest original experiment, a limited exploration of a scientific problem or other investigation. The proposal is a hurdle requirement and a pass (50% or more) is required in order to continue with the subject. Final reports and oral presentation will occur at the end of the semester and orals will involve a mini-symposium where findings will be presented to project stakeholders and the

• Project Proposal, or design-approach proposal (1500 words) due four weeks into the semester, 30% (A pass in the project proposal is a hurdle requirement);
• Final Report, or design portfolio as described (5000 - 10,000 words) due the day before the examination period commences, 50%;
• Oral Presentation (15 minutes) due in the final week of semester, 20%

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students will have:

• the capacity to articulate knowledge and understanding in oral and written presentations, and to allow informed dialogue with individuals and groups from industry, government and the community;
• the ability to evaluate and synthesise the research and professional literature in the discipline; and
• the capacity to develop independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning and research.