Ecosystem & Forest Science Research Proj

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2016:

Students should discuss total time commitment with their supervisor but as a guide, a student would be expected to be engaged in their research for an average of thirty hours per week over two semesters.

Admission into the Bachelor of Environments (Degree with Honours) Landscape Management program or the Bachelor of Science (Degree with Honours) Forest Science program.

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 develops a student’s ability to design and undertake a research project in the fields of ecosystem science, landscape management or forest science and their related social sciences and to report on this in written and verbal form. The project is completed under supervision of an academic staff member of the School of Ecosystem and Forest Sciences or an approved external supervisor, depending on the particular research project. The research topic is developed in collaboration between student and supervisor prior to or early in the first semester of enrolment.

Students enrol in a combination of the research project subjects indicated below to ensure they have completed a total of 75 points for the research project by the end of their honours program.

Each of these subjects is available in both Semester 1 and Semester 2:

NRMT40009 Ecosystem and Forest Sci Research Project - 25 points;

NRMT40010 Ecosystem and Forest Sci Research Project - 37.5 points;

NRMT40011 Ecosystem and Forest Sci Research Project - 50 points.

The objectives of this subject are to:

• develop an in-depth appreciation for the research process;
• develop individual investigative skills, critical thought and the ability to evaluate information and analyse data;
• increase the student's knowledge and understanding of the discipline area;
• develop the student’s academic research and academic writing skills.

A Research Proposal of 1500 words due towards the end of the first semester of enrolment (10%). An oral presentation of the research project for 15 minutes due towards the end of the first semester of enrolment (hurdle requirement). An oral presentation of research project for 30 minutes including questions due towards the end of the final semester of enrolment (10%). A Research Report of up to 15,000 words due at the end of the final semester of enrolment (75%). Supervisor’s assessment of student’s demonstrated research performance throughout the program (5%).

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

The subject will enhance the following generic skills:
• Critical thinking and analysis
• Ability to seek out, retrieve and evaluate information from multiple sources
• Ability to explain complex concepts in written and oral form
• Time management skills
• Appreciation and implementation of the ethics associated with knowledge creation and usage
• Report writing skills
• Ability to manage large data sets