PROP 7004 - Property Dissertation

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2019

An independent research study or project which addresses a question or topic relevant to the development or management of property.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PROP 7004
    Course Property Dissertation
    Coordinating Unit School of Architecture and Built Environment
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Up to 6 hours per week
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Prerequisites Completion of ARCH 7042
    Assumed Knowledge Property development, valuation, economics and marketing
    Restrictions Available to MProp, MPlan, MArch
    Course Description An independent research study or project which addresses a question or topic relevant to the development or management of property.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Mr Peter Koulizos

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

    1. Use appropriate research methodologies and methods to address a defined research topic
    2. Identify, access and evaluate data appropriate to the defined research topic
    3. Demonstrate independent learning skills and self-direction in solving problems
    4. Structure, write and present a coherent and relevant argument in response to a defined research topic
    5. Write cogently and succinctly using the conventional language of scholarly inquiry
    6. Demonstrate rigour in the implementation of the study and respond positively to criticism and guidance
    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
    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
    3,4,6
    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
    4,5
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1,2,3,6
    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
    6
    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
    1,2,3,6
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources

    Learning resources will be advised on an individual by the dissertation supervisor. Any general resources will be provided on the course MyUni site by the course co-ordinator.
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The learning and teaching strategy is an active learning one, with the student taking responsibility for defining the research topic, choosing and applying appropriate research methods, time management and production of the final dissertation. The approach to assessment is one of integration with teaching and “assessment for learning” rather than of learning.

    Study will be structured through regular meetings with the dissertation supervisor who will monitor and advise on progress but day to day work may be undertaken at the student’s convenience. Deadlines for assessment will be strictly enforced which will provide an overall framework for the semester of study.
    Workload

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

    Students are not required to attend regular weekly classes but will have access to the dissertation supervisor for face to face advice. Regular meetings are strongly encouraged. Peer interaction and support will also be used to encourage active learning and create a community of practice. 

    The time allocation should reflect the assessment weighting in the schedule below.
    Learning Activities Summary
    Essential information on property specific research and approaches to research in the built environment are provided in two separate courses namely PROP 7001 Property Research and Marketing and ARCH 7042 Designing Research. The approach to learning is progressive, building upon fundamental concepts and knowledge acquisition culminating in this course which tests students ability to apply the research approaches outlined in these two courses. Students are advised to prepare a research topic outline as part of ARCH 7042 Designing Research. This can form the basis for this Dissertation course. Regular meetings with the allocated supervisor aim to ensure that students are clear in defining their research question/ aim and make appropriate choice of research methods. The attendance and participation and interim report milestones are designed to monitor progress as well as provide progressive feedback to students.
  • 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 Collaborative/Individual Weighting Word Count/Time Due Date Related Learning Outcome
    Attendance & participation Individual 10% At least 6 supervisor meetings Over semester 3,6,7
    Interim report Individual 20% 2,500 words Mid semester 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
    Final dissertation Individual 70% 8-10,000 words End of semester 1,2,3,4,5,6,7
    Total 100%
    Assessment Detail
    Attendance & participation: Students must attend at least 6 face to face meetings with their supervisor over the course of the semester in order to be credited with 10% of the total assessment.
     
    Interim report: Students must present an individual written interim report which outlines the research field, states the research topic, aim/ question and outlines the methodological approach to be used to address the stated aim/question. An indication of the current state of knowledge of the chosen research topic derived from academic literature review is expected, though this may not be comprehensive. Students are expected to give a verbal presentation which summarises the content of their written report , to the supervisor and other students in the class at a point approximately mid way through the semester of study.

    Final dissertation: The final dissertation consists of a structured 8-10,000 word report containing relevant data and supporting materials which clearly states the research question/aim of the work, explains the methodological basis of the enquiry, provides background evidence of literature search and review of relevant sources to explain the current state of knowledge on the chosen topic. The dissertation will also demonstrate evidence of the application of appropriate research methods to address the research question /aim, analyse any data or information gathered and seek to address the research question /aim by drawing conclusions from the analysis. All sources of information are expected to be referenced in an appropriate style.
    Submission
    All work should be submitted electronically using the course MyUni site. Students should ensure that work is submitted on time on or before the due date
    Late work will not be marked.
    Extensions will be granted for valid reasons such as illness but these must be arranged with the course co-ordinator before the submission deadline.
    Where appropriate, Harvard referencing conventions should be used.
    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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