Unit Guide

General Information

Unit convenor and teaching staff	Unit convenor and teaching staff Vladimir Strezov vladimir.strezov@mq.edu.au
Credit points	Credit points 4
Prerequisites	Prerequisites (Admission to MEnv or MSc) and 16cp at 800 level
Corequisites	Corequisites
Co-badged status	Co-badged status
Unit description	Unit description ENVS834 Environmental Research Report is the independent research unit in which students conduct research on a specific topic within the subject area of environmental sciences. The identification of the subject is to be negotiated with the unit supervisor prior to commencement of the unit and a workplan signed by the student, supervisor and the Head of the Department. Students will work individually under the supervision of a member of staff and/or a suitably qualified external professional. With ENVS834 students will gain in-depth understanding of the research methods applied to the selected environmental science research subject, conduct research project through evaluation of published data or by conducting original experiments. The students will also present the research outcomes to audience specialised in the field.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

Ability to design an individual research project
Develop understanding in specific experimental and/or analytical methods applicable for environmental science research
Collect experimental data by applying research methodology or gather the data from secondary published sources
Critically evaluate and synthesize the data to achieve the research objectives
Effectively communicate the scientific outcomes both verbally and in writing
Ability to scope a research project within budget allocation

Assessment Tasks

Name	Weighting	Hurdle	Due	Short Extension
Review of research methods	30%	No	Week 6 (3 April 2017)	No
Presentation of project plan	20%	No	Week 12 (29 May 2017)	No
Research Report	50%	No	Week 13 (5 June 2017)	No

Review of research methods

Due: Week 6 (3 April 2017)
Weighting: 30%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension ³: No
AI assisted?:

Students should select a topic for the environmental research report. In this assessment at least 3 different research techniques and methodologies used to conduct the research investigations for the topic of choice should be reviewed and compared. A 2,000 word assignment should be written which demonstrates the working principles of the selected methods.

The assessment criteria is:

Assessment criteria

Possible

Description

Clearly articulates aims and scope of review
Accurately and succinctly describes objectives and outcomes of review literature

Analysis

Contribution of reviewed literature
Evidence evaluated critically
Strengths and weaknesses clearly identified

Presentation

Well-planned review with clear structure, sub-headings and logical argument firmly based on the literature cited
Well written paper formatted for effective communication with correct grammar and spelling and correct use of professional terminology as appropriate
Literature correctly cited and full bibliographic details provided

Penalty: Late Submission (10% per day)

Section totals

100

On successful completion you will be able to:

Ability to design an individual research project
Develop understanding in specific experimental and/or analytical methods applicable for environmental science research
Critically evaluate and synthesize the data to achieve the research objectives
Effectively communicate the scientific outcomes both verbally and in writing

Presentation of project plan

Due: Week 12 (29 May 2017)
Weighting: 20%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension ³: No
AI assisted?:

Individual 10 minute class presentations of the literature review and design of a 1 year original project plan, which will include a timeline and budget. The plan should contain justification of the selected methods and how they will be applied for the project timeline and a project budget of $5,000. The students are expected to participate to the class discussions during the presentation night.

The assessment criteria is:

Assessment criteria

Possible

Project development

Quality of research and project development
Appropriate justification of the budget
Justification of the selected research methods

Design, visual aids and presentation

Structure, logic, effectiveness and originality
Clear text and illustrations
Facing audience and presentation with impact

Participation to class discussions

Total

On successful completion you will be able to:

Ability to design an individual research project
Develop understanding in specific experimental and/or analytical methods applicable for environmental science research
Collect experimental data by applying research methodology or gather the data from secondary published sources
Critically evaluate and synthesize the data to achieve the research objectives
Effectively communicate the scientific outcomes both verbally and in writing
Ability to scope a research project within budget allocation

Research Report

Due: Week 13 (5 June 2017)
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual:
Short extension ³: No
AI assisted?:

Students should select a research topic of choice, and perform original research or review of relevant state of information in peer-reviewed literature or high level scientific reports. The topic of choice can be based on a case study, evaluation of institutional practice, empirical investigation, or a critical review of the science, policy or practice by different institutions either nationally or globally.

The assessment criteria will be the same as in the Review of research methods assignment.

On successful completion you will be able to:

Ability to design an individual research project
Develop understanding in specific experimental and/or analytical methods applicable for environmental science research
Collect experimental data by applying research methodology or gather the data from secondary published sources
Effectively communicate the scientific outcomes both verbally and in writing

Delivery and Resources

Delivery

Date	Time	Location	Session
27 February	6pm-8pm	C5A 404	Unit introduction Unit objectives and assessment Introduction principles to literature review
6 March	8pm	by email	Research topic selection
13 March to 3 April	by appointment	TBC	Consultation
3 April	8pm	iLearn	Assignment on review of research methods due
24 April to 26 May	by appointment	TBC	Consultation
29 May	6pm -8pm	C5A 404	Student presentations
29 May to 5 June			Independent research
5 June	8pm	iLearn	Research report assignment due

Students are expected to allocate 12 hours per week of their workload towards this unit to successfully deliver the assignments.

Students are free to make appointment any time for discussion.

Resources

Students are expected to source original peer-reviewed literature relevant for their topic of choice for the methodological review and research report. The databases used to search literature are:

Macquarie University Library http://multisearch.mq.edu.au/

ISI Web of Knowledge http://isiknowledge.com/

Scopus http://www.scopus.com/home.url

Science Direct http://www.sciencedirect.com/science

Google Scholar https://scholar.google.com.au/

Example journals where high impact articles in the discipline of environmental sciences are published:

Environmental Science and Technology

Environmental Health Perspectives

Remote Sensing of Environment

Energy and Environmental Science

Global Environmental Change

Science of the Total Environment

Environmental Pollution

Atmospheric Environment

Journal of Environmental Management

Environment International

Environmental Research Letters

Frontiers in Ecology and the Environment

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

Policies and Procedures

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_2016.html

Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html

Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html

Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html

Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration

In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/

Results

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.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

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.