ERS501 Applied Research Skills in Environmental and Rural Science

Credit Points 6
Offering
Location Teaching Period Mode of Study
Armidale Trimester 1 Online
Armidale Trimester 1 On Campus
Armidale Trimester 2 Online
Armidale Trimester 2 On Campus
Armidale Trimester 3 Online
Armidale Trimester 3 On Campus
Intensive School(s) None
Supervised Exam There is no supervised examination.
Pre-requisites candidature in a postgraduate award in the School of Environmental and Rural Science or School of Science and Technology and permission from head of school
Co-requisites None
Restrictions None
Notes None
Combined Units None
Coordinator(s) Geoff Hinch (ghinch@une.edu.au)
Unit Description

This unit offers students the opportunity to synthesise research knowledge and skills from across their coursework program. Students will summarise, evaluate and integrate applied research learning from across a range of coursework learning experiences. This unit will allow students to demonstrate research capacity through a literature review and project design of a research topic to address a contemporary issue or problem faced in environmental and/or rural sciences.
Materials No text required
Disclaimer Unit information may be subject to change prior to commencement of the teaching period.
Assessment
Title Exam Length Weight Mode No. Words
Research Project Design 80% 4000
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)

LO: 1-5 GA: 1-4, 6
Research Seminar 20% 1000
Relates to Learning Outcomes (LO) and Graduate Attributes (GA)

LO: 1-6 GA: 1-4, 6

Learning Outcomes (LO) Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. demonstrate specialist research knowledge and technical skills in the planning, design and analysis of a research project in a specialist area of study;
  2. demonstrate a theoretical and conceptual knowledge of, and critically reflect on, scientific literature and research as it relates to the specialist area of study;
  3. critically evaluate issues contributing to the professional and ethical standards of practice expected in the specialist area of study;
  4. demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge to new developments in the specialist area of study;
  5. apply communication skills to convey literature, methodologies, conclusions and professional decisions resulting from the research; and
  6. demonstrate an ability to plan and deliver a research seminar.

Graduate Attributes (GA)
Attribute Taught Assessed Practised
1
Knowledge of a Discipline

Knowledge of the chosen research field is expected to be critical, extensive and up-to-date, and is assessed through the written report and the oral presentation.

 True True True
2
Communication Skills

Candidates are required to write a project design report using accepted scientific formats (research proposal) and present their results orally in the form of a seminar. Assessment is through the written report and oral presentation.

 True True True
3
Global Perspectives

Interaction with regional and global literature and research problems is expected within this unit. Assessment is through the written report and oral presentation.

 True True
4
Information Literacy

The unit exposes students to scientific writing skills and oral presentation skills, and requires critical review of research literature and information from numerous sources.

 True True True
5
Life-Long Learning

Research skills demonstrated are fully transferable to further higher degree or vocational research endeavours.

 True
6
Problem Solving

Research project design and management, with specific targeted deadlines is integral to successful completion of the unit and requires advanced research problem solving skills. This is assessed through a written report and oral presentation.

 True True True
7
Social Responsibility

Students will be taught about their professional responsibilities as a researcher to provide balanced, accurate and ethical research. In addition, students will be taught that they have a social responsibility to question and challenge some 'facts'. This will be assessed and taught through written reports.

 True True True
8
Team Work

Students will liaise with a range of researchers from within the student cohort, as well as their supervisors networks and may be required to collaborate with them.

 True