Students
GEOS3910 – Advanced Earth and Environmental Sciences III
2020 – Session 2, Weekday attendance, North Ryde
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group learning activities on campus for the second half-year, while keeping an online version available for those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face to face activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Olivier Alard
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
120cp including ((GEOS1910 or GEOS188) and (20cp(D) of GEOS or ENVS or ENV units at 2000 level)) and admission to BAdvSc and permission by special approval
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
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| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit caters for students who are strong in Earth and Environmental sciences and who are interested in pursuing a scientific career in this discipline. It aims to encourage outstanding students to reach their full potential by helping them prepare for professional contexts through a research-based internship. This activity will be conducted either in collaboration with a research facility at MQ or an external partner organisation. Students will produce a scientific report, reflect on their overall learning in the program as well as experience through this unit, and give a presentation on their findings. Students will also be encouraged to mentor first year advanced Earth and Environmental students, and engage in activities within the broader department as part of their learning through participation in this unit. |
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:
- ULO1: Demonstrate understanding of the basics behind data collection and manage a research project in the field of Earth and Environmental Sciences.
- ULO2: Communicate matters relevant to Earth and Environmental Sciences.
- ULO3: Write up research results to the level of a scholarly journal article as is expected of a scientific career in Earth and Environmental Sciences.
- ULO4: Apply Earth and Environmental Sciences theory to practical experience as part of undertaking successful research.
- ULO5: Work effectively within a Earth and Environmental Sciences environment and appreciate the role that Earth and Environmental Sciences has within the community.
General Assessment Information
ASSESSMENT 1
1.a., Professional Practice & Risk Assessment
Students will complete an introduction to professional practice and a risk assessment of their placement with the help of the suitable professional staff(s).
1.b, Reflective Journal
Students will keep a reflective journal of their research.
ASSESSMENT 2 - Annotated Bibliography
An annotated bibliography of a selected research topic or question based on 5 to 10 peer-reviewed publications, ≈500 words per publications.
Each student has to select a topic relevant to the unit on which a ~15-20 minute long oral presentation will be given to the academic staff on the unit, and other invited EES researchers and of course your fellow students.
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Present ideas clearly with supporting evidence.
- Read, interpret and discuss major contributions to earth and environmental science research published in the peer-reviewed literature
ASSESSMENT 3 - Oral Presentation
On successful completion you will be able to:
-
Read, interpret and discuss major contributions to earth and environmental science
research published in the peer-reviewed literature.
-
Present ideas clearly with supporting evidence.
ASSESSMENT 4
Research Report
The aim of this assignment is to undertake research on a specific problem and produce a scientific report about that research. The student will be embedded into a research group and work as part of that team.
On successful completion you will be able to:
-
Read, interpret and discuss major contributions to earth and environmental science
research published in the peer-reviewed literature.
-
Evaluate how the experimental design and approach of earth and environmental science
studies influences the soundness and impact of conclusions.
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Write a short review paper on a topic in earth and environmental science for a non-
specialist audience.
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Present ideas clearly with supporting evidence.
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Apply knowledge to solve problems and evaluate ideas and information.
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Demonstrate the ability to write a scientific report.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Practice, Risk Assessment, and Reflective Journal | 20% | Yes | week 3 |
| Annotated Bibliography | 10% | Yes | Week 7 |
| Oral Presentation | 20% | Yes | week 13 |
| Research Report | 50% | Yes | Week 13 |
Professional Practice, Risk Assessment, and Reflective Journal
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: week 3
Weighting: 20%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Students will complete an introduction to professional practice and a risk assessment of their placement. Students will keep a reflective journal of their research.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding of the basics behind data collection and manage a research project in the field of Earth and Environmental Sciences.
- Work effectively within a Earth and Environmental Sciences environment and appreciate the role that Earth and Environmental Sciences has within the community.
Annotated Bibliography
Assessment Type 1: Annotated bibliography
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 7
Weighting: 10%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
An annotated bibliography of a research topic or question.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Communicate matters relevant to Earth and Environmental Sciences.
Oral Presentation
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: week 13
Weighting: 20%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Each student will give a ~15-20 minute long oral presentation of their research work to the academic staff on the unit, and other invited Earth and Environmental Science researchers and of course your fellow students.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Communicate matters relevant to Earth and Environmental Sciences.
Research Report
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 75 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 50%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
A research report based on research undertaken with an Earth and Environmental Science academic staff member, or a government scientist.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate understanding of the basics behind data collection and manage a research project in the field of Earth and Environmental Sciences.
- Communicate matters relevant to Earth and Environmental Sciences.
- Write up research results to the level of a scholarly journal article as is expected of a scientific career in Earth and Environmental Sciences.
- Apply Earth and Environmental Sciences theory to practical experience as part of undertaking successful research.
- Work effectively within a Earth and Environmental Sciences environment and appreciate the role that Earth and Environmental Sciences has within the community.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
Please see Unit Outline in iLearn and the announcements section for up to date delivery and resource information
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Grade Appeal Policy
- Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy (Note: The Special Consideration Policy is effective from 4 December 2017 and replaces the Disruption to Studies Policy.)
Students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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 help you improve your marks and take control of your study.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
IT Help
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