ANIML SC 4030ARW - Honours Animal Sc Project (Two-Year) Continuing

Roseworthy Campus - Semester 2 - 2016

Students completing this course carry out a research project under the supervision of a member or members of staff. The overall aims of the course are to develop knowledge and skills in a particular area of research, and skills required for the practice of independent scientific research. The Honours year commences in February or July and the research project is chosen through consultation with the Honours coordinator prior to the commencement of the Honours year.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code ANIML SC 4030ARW
    Course Honours Animal Sc Project (Two-Year) Continuing
    Coordinating Unit School of Animal and Veterinary Sciences
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s Roseworthy Campus
    Contact By supervision
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Incompatible ANIML SC 4004ARW/BRW, ANIML SC 4006ARW/BRW
    Restrictions Available only to students admitted to the relevant Honours program
    Course Description Students completing this course carry out a research project under the supervision of a member or members of staff. The overall aims of the course are to develop knowledge and skills in a particular area of research, and skills required for the practice of independent scientific research. The Honours year commences in February or July and the research project is chosen through consultation with the Honours coordinator prior to the commencement of the Honours year.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr Karen Kind

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    1 demonstrate knowledge and understanding of principles and concepts in a particular area of research, related to Animal or Veterinary Science
    2 demonstrate an ability to recognise current gaps in our understanding and future areas for experimental investigation in a particular area of research, related to Animal or Veterinary Science
    3 identify and evaluate a problem and define the important elements required for its solution
    4 identify and critically evaluate appropriate and relevant information sources
    5 use and apply scientific principles and techniques required for the experimental study of a research question
    6 demonstrate a rigorous and methodical approach to the maintenance of laboratory records and the collection, storage and analysis of experimental data
    7 communicate scientific information clearly and effectively both in writing and orally
    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)
    1-4
    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
    1-5
    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
    6,7
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1-6
    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
    1,2,3,4,7
    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
    1-7
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    Students complete an independent research project of their choice under the supervision of an academic supervisor.  This provides active learning opportunities in the ability to use and apply scientific principles and techniques.  The associated assessment tasks further develop the student’s knowledge in a particular discipline area, and their ability to identify and assess problems and knowledge gaps in the area.  Interactive tutorial programs build students’ knowledge and skills in the areas of critical evaluation, data management and analysis and oral and written communication.
    Workload

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

    A student enrolled in this course should expect to spend up to 1540 hours across 40-42 weeks of the year on the studies required to complete their independent research project and the associated assessment tasks.
    Learning Activities Summary
    1. Student complete an independent research project of their choice, and the associated assessment tasks.
    2. Students will attend tutorials on topics designed to develop their research skills
    • Project development and management
    • Critical analysis and literature review
    • Oral presentation skills
    • Data management and analysis
    • Writing a scientific paper
  • 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
    Assessment Task Task Type Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes Hurdle (Yes/No) Learning Outcome
    Proposal seminar Formative

    No 1,2,3,4,7
    Literature Analysis and Research Proposal  Summative 14% No 1,2,3,4,7
    Final seminar Summative 8.5% No 1-7
    Thesis Paper Summative 60% No 1-7
    Poster Presentation Summative 5.5% No 1-7
    Supervisor Mark Summative 12% No 1-6
    Assessment Detail
    All written assessment tasks are assessed by three examiners, and marks are averaged to provide the final grade.  Where possible two examiners with expertise in an area related to the students research project are chosen from within or external to the University and the third examiner is a member of the School's Honours panel.

    Literature Analysis and Research Proposal (14%) Students will submit a written analysis of the Literature that forms the background to their project (max 4,000 words) and a Research proposal that outlines and justifies the project to be conducted (max 1,500 words). This task is submitted in April (February intake) or October (mid-year intake) ~10 weeks after the start of the course.

    Final Seminar (8.5%) Each student will present a seminar describing the results of their research project. Students are assessed on content and structure of the seminar, understanding of the research area, and their oral presentation.  The seminar is scheduled for late September (February intake) or early May (mid-year intake).  Seminars are assessed by all attending academics.

    Thesis – Final Paper (60%) Each student will prepare a thesis paper, reporting, discussing and critically evaluating the results of their project in the form of a manuscript for a scientific journal (max 5,000 words).   The Thesis paper is due at the end of October (February intake) or May (mid-year intake). Students receive written feedback on their thesis; the thesis grade is not released.

    Poster presentation (5.5%) Each student will prepare a research poster to report the results of their research project.  Posters will be displayed during a poster session during which students will provide a short oral description of their poster, and answer questions. The poster session is held in November or June (mid-year intake). A panel of examiners assess the poster.

    Supervisor’s assessment (12%)

    The student’s supervisor will provide an assessment of performance in the laboratory/field and research components of the research project.  The supervisor completes a formative feedback form mid-year, which is returned to the student.  The supervisor’s final assessment is completed after the student has completed all of the assessment tasks.
    Submission
    If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A mark of zero will be allocated to late submitted assessment.
    Course Grading

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

    NOG (No Grade Associated)
    Grade Description
    CN Continuing

    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.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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