GEOG 5550B - Dissertation Env Pol & Mgt (Applied) F/T Part 2

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2017

The Major Dissertation Environmental Policy & Management (Applied) F/T involves the undertaking of a full-year (semester 1 and 2) research project and the submission by the due date of a dissertation on the project of approximately 20-24000 words, with an accompanying seminar. The Dissertation Environmental Policy & Management (Applied) P/T will have two years (four semesters) to complete the dissertation and seminar.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code GEOG 5550B
    Course Dissertation Env Pol & Mgt (Applied) F/T Part 2
    Coordinating Unit Geography, Environment and Population
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 24
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites 24 units in the MEnvPolicy&Policy(App)
    Restrictions Available to MEnvPolicy&Policy(App) students only
    Course Description The Major Dissertation Environmental Policy & Management (Applied) F/T involves the undertaking of a full-year (semester 1 and 2) research project and the submission by the due date of a dissertation on the project of approximately 20-24000 words, with an accompanying seminar. The Dissertation Environmental Policy & Management (Applied) P/T will have two years (four semesters) to complete the dissertation and seminar.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Yan Tan

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    Upon completing this course students will:

    1. Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the different steps in research

    2. Critically reflect on and interrogate literature in their field

    3. Demonstrate capacity to undertake research at post graduate level
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1, 2, 3
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1, 2, 3
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    1, 2, 3
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1, 2, 3
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    1, 2, 3
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    1, 2, 3
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Students will receive resources related to how to do research in a folder in MYUNI. Outside of that they will receive specialised advice and resources based on consultation with their coordinator.
    Recommended Resources
    Students will receive specialised advice and resources based on consultation with their coordinator.
    Online Learning
    Online resources will be provided, as will means of communications via blogs so students can interact with and support each other.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course is designed to encourage students to undertake active independent learning by research. They will be provided with a number of learning resources via online, face to face interaction with their supervisor and a number of workshops designed to build skills in doing research.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    This course requires students to undertake a substantial portion via independent learning and research.

    They are also required to attend a number of workshops and have regular meetings with their coordinator who will offer supervisory one on one advice on their search.

    Thus it is anticipated students will spend:

    1 hours a fortnight @ 14 weeks meeting the coordinator: 7 hours
    8 hours a week @ 14 weeks reading and doing research: 112 hours
    2 hours a week @ 12 weeks completing formative assessments: 24 hours
    Attendance at 3 workshops @ 2 hours each: 6 hours
    4 hours verbal preparation and presentation: 4 hours

    Total: 153
    Learning Activities Summary
    As this is a research course, there is not a weekly timetable of activities.

    However, there are a series of workshops that students must attend.

    These workshops will be held at fortnightly intervals during the semester.

    Students will undertake the following activities:

    Regular meetings with supervisor: Ongoing throughout term
    Workshop 1: Induction: Doing dissertation research
    Workshop 2: How to write a literature review
    Workshop 3: Writing workshop
    Workshop 4: Verbals
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Task: Production of a dissertation which shows evidence of (i) A Literature review, (Method chpater, (ii) Results chapters, (iv) Discussion

    Weighting: 100%

    Learning outcomes tested: 1, 2. 3
    Assessment Detail
    Assignment 1: Completion of literature review

    Students will be required to present a full copy of their literature review – on the Masters topic they have chosen, to the coordinator for feedback

    Assignment 2: Full draft of Masters dissertation

    Students will be required to present a full copy of their Masters dissertation, to the coordinator for feedback

    Assignment 3: Verbal presentation of dissertation topic

    Students will present a 15 minute verbal summary of their dissertation to their peers and other staff for feedback

    Assignment 4: Dissertation (10 or 20 thousand words depending on units)

    Students will present a full revised copy of their dissertation to the Course coordinator for assessment.
     
    Submission

    Submission dates are given to students at the start of each Semester
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

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