GEOLOGY 7070 - Research Concepts in Earth Science

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2021

This course forms part of the Master of Science. (Earth Science) program. It consists of a (1) short course in data analysis and statistics (2) thesis support sessions and (3) writing and presentation tasks towards the research project of the program. This course equips post-graduate students with a wide range of transferable skills that are relevant to research in Earth Science as well as for graduate employment programs.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code GEOLOGY 7070
    Course Research Concepts in Earth Science
    Coordinating Unit School of Physical Sciences
    Term Semester 1
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Mixed mode - flexible and/or intensive
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Restrictions Available only to students in the Master of Science program specialisation Earth Science
    Assessment Literature review, research seminar, written summaries of scientific seminars, short course(s)
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Associate Professor Stijn Glorie

    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 Develop and manage an Earth Science research project from hypothesis building to result interpretation;
    2 Demonstrate a high-level of understanding of the key theoretical and practical aspects of research in Earth Science;
    3 Collect, analyse, critically evaluate and synthesis quantitative/qualitative data, relevant to Earth Science;
    4 Undertake computer analyses and modelling with industry-standard software;
    5 Communicate effectively in a variety of modes, to diverse audiences;
    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)
    1,2,3,4
    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
    1,2,3,4
    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
    2,3,5
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    2,3,4,5
    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
    1,2,5
    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
    1,3,5
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    The course consists of:-    
    • Short courses in data analysis and statistics  
    • Scientific seminars
    • Research seminar-    
    • Thesis support tasks

    A student enrolled in this course should expect to spend, on average, 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures, seminars, meetings), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading, research and revision
    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, on average, 12 hours per week on the studies required. This includes
    both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures, seminars,meetings), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading, research and revision)
    Learning Activities Summary

    -       Short courses in data analysis and statistics

    -       Scientific seminars

    -       Research seminar

    -       Thesis support tasks

    Specific Course Requirements
    Compulsory attendance at seminars and thesis support sessions
  • 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 Weighting Hurdle Learning Outcome Due
    Literature review Summative

    20%

    Yes 1,2,3 May
    Research seminar Summative 30% Yes 1,2,5 June
    (week 12)
    Written summaries of scientific seminars Summative 20% No 2,3,5 March-June
    Short course(s) Formative and Summative 30% No 3,4 March-June
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Assessment Item with
    Hurdle or compulsory component
    % needed to meet
    hurdle or requirement to meet compulsory component 
    Additional Assessment Available Additional Assessment
    Literature review 50% Yes Additional essay
    Research seminar 50% Yes New research seminar in similar format
    Attendance of at least 4 scientific seminars is compulsory Satisfactory written reports for at least 4 seminars Yes There will be more than 4 seminars to choose from
    Attendance at thesis support sessions is compulsory Attendance will be recorded Yes Recordings can be watched on-line (this will be monitored)
    Assessment Detail
    Literature review (20%)
    A written literature review of no more than 3000 words will be assessed.

    Research seminar (30%)
    An oral seminar will be presented, including time for questions from the other students and staff. It is compulsory that all students attend all seminars.

    Written summaries of scientific seminars (20%)
    Four reports of no more than 500 words will be assessed. Reports need to be submitted no later than 1 week after each seminar and by weeks 4 for report 1, week 7 for report 2, week 10 for report 3 and week 13 for report 4.

    Short course(s) (30%)
    Each short course is assessed differently and may include a 2-hour final exam or written project.
    Submission
    All items for assessment must be submitted by the stated deadlines. There will be a penalty for late submission: the submitted work will be marked 'without prejudice' and 10% of the obtained mark will be deducted for each working day (or part of a day) that an assessment task is  late, up to a maximum penalty of 50% of the mark attained.
    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.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
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