Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Vincent Williams
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MPICT or PGDipPICT or GradDipPICT or MPICTMIntSecSt or MIntSecStud or PGDipIntSecStud or GradDipIntSecStud and GPA of 3.0 and permission of Executive Dean of Faculty
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit permits students presenting with a Credit average to engage in the composition of a 6000 word research project, under the supervision of PICT staff. Developing knowledge in both self-directed research and engaging the student/supervisor pedagogic method, students will develop a topic in consultation with academic staff. This unit will necessitate students to thoroughly engage with the existing research on their topic, using it as a stepping-stone in developing their own research skills. Students will be mentored and trained on how to translate a research question into a set of research tasks, synthesise an appropriate methodological framework, conduct a literature review section and process and write up the result of their research as a coherent long research essay. This research relies on utilizing academic secondary sources and does not require original empirical work. Indeed students are not permitted to conduct interviews or other fieldwork that would normally require ethics approval.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
SUBMITTING ASSESSMENT TASKS
All assessment tasks are to be submitted, marked and returned electronically. This will only happen through the unit iLearn site. Assessment tasks must be submitted either as a PDF or MS word document by the due date. Most assessment tasks will be subject to a 'TurnitIn' review as an automatic part of the submission process. The granting of extensions of up to one week are at the discretion of the unit convener. Any requests for extensions must be made in writing before the due date for the submission of the assessment task. Extensions beyond one week are subject to the university’s Disruptions Policy (http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html#purpose).
LATE SUBMISSION OF ASSESSMENT TASKS
If an assignment is submitted late, 5% of the available mark will be deducted for each day (including weekends) the paper is late. For example, if a paper is worth 20 marks, 1 mark will be deducted from the grade given for each day that it is late (i.e. a student given 15/20 who submitted 4 days late will lose 4 marks = 11/20). The same principle applies if an extension is granted and the assignment is submitted later than the amended date.
WORD LIMITS FOR ASSESSMENT TASKS
Stated word limits do not include references, bibliography, or title page. Word limits can generally deviate by 10% either over or under the stated figure. If the number of words exceeds the limit by more than 10%, then penalties will apply. These penalties are 5% of he awarded mark for every 100 words over the word limit. If a paper is 300 words over, for instance, it will lose 3 x 5% = 15% of the total mark awarded for the assignment. This percentage is taken off the total mark, i.e. if a paper was graded at a credit (65%) and was 300 words over, it would be reduced by 15 marks to a pass (50%). The application of this penalty is at the discretion of the course convener.
REASSESSMENT OF ASSIGNMENTS DURING THE SEMESTER
Macquarie University operates a Grade Appeal Policy in cases where students feel their work was graded inappropriately (http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html). This process involves all assignments submitted for that unit being reassessed. However, in exceptional cases students may request that a single piece of work is reassessed. The Department process for the reassessment of assignments for marking during the semester is as follows: You must consult with the unit convenor - A reassessment will only be granted if you have sought and received feedback about your performance on the assessment from the convenor. Apply to PICT’s Director of Learning and Teaching (or delegated authority) for a reassessment - no more than 7 days after the unit convenor or class tutor has returned the assessment to you. You must make a sound academic case, which demonstrates that you have consulted the unit convenor and as a result of this there is evidence that either the marking criteria were not provided, or there is insufficient feedback to justify the mark given. If appropriate, the Head of Department (or delegated authority) will organise the reassessment of work. The mark determined after reassessment will be the final mark in that assessment task, and this mark can be lower than the original.
Name | Weighting | Due |
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Research Proposal | 15% | 7/03/2015 |
Research Scaffold | 15% | 3/04/2015 |
Research Essay | 70% | 05/06/2015 |
Due: 7/03/2015
Weighting: 15%
Detailed information about this assessment task can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.
Due: 3/04/2015
Weighting: 15%
Detailed information about this assessment task can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.
Due: 05/06/2015
Weighting: 70%
Detailed information about this assessment task can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.
UNIT REQUIREMENTS AND EXPECTATIONS
You should spend an average of at least 12 hours per week on this unit.
Whilst there are no lectures or tutorials for this unit, students are strongly encouraged to attend the Research Seminar Series throughout the session in which they are enrolled.
As an independent research piece, you are expected to initiate consultations and feedback with your supervisor on a consistent basis throughout the semester. The nature and frequency of these meetings should be negotiated by you and your supervisor at the outset of the Session. The unit convenor will be available, either via email, phone or in person to answer queries about the research process or assessment submission.
REQUIRED READINGS The citations for all the required readings for this unit are available to enrolled students through the unit iLearn site, and at Macquarie University's Library EReserve site. Electronic copies of required readings may be accessed at the EReserve site.
TECHNOLOGY USED AND REQUIRED Personal PC and internet access are essential for this unit. Basic computer skills and skills in word processing are also a requirement. This unit has an online presence. Login is via: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/ Students are required to have regular access to a computer and the internet. Mobile devices alone are not sufficient. For technical support go to: http://mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/informatics/help For student quick guides on the use of iLearn go to: http://mq.edu.au/iLearn/student_info/guides.htm
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Grievance Management Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grievance_management/policy.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://informatics.mq.edu.au/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues
This graduate capability is supported by: