Students
GEOS8823 – Literature Project in Earth and Environmental Sciences
2021 – Session 1, Fully online/virtual
Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online 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
Convenor and Lecturer
Kira Westaway
Contact via 98508429
12WW 429
by email appt
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
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| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Permission by special approval
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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 foundation unit develops generic scientific research skills in (i) critical review and synthesis of literature, (ii) scientific writing style, clarity and succinctness, (iii) bibliography management and (iv) time management. Students select topics relevant to their specific research interests and undertake literature research in consultation with a research mentor from the Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences such as academic staff and/or postdoctoral researchers. A presentation of a seminar and written reports are required on completion of this project. |
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: perform background research and synthesise existing scientific literature to investigate an active research topic
- ULO2: write a scientific literature review consistent with the standards of a Masters thesis
- ULO3: use oral presentation and scientific argumentation to present ideas from your report clearly with supporting evidence
- ULO4: develop a working relationship with an academic supervisor in the department and understand their research field
General Assessment Information
Study Plan
Due: 08/03/2021 Weighting: 0% This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
Complete Study Plan with your chosen supervisor and submit to iLearn by the start of week 3. This is a hurdle assessment, i.e. pass/fail.
Annotated Bibliography
Due: Week 5 Weighting: 15%
The student will provide a bibliography including at least 10 relevant papers. For each paper you should include a short description (up to 300 words) of the main points and relevance of the paper to the aims of your reading project.
Seminar
Due: Week 12 Weighting: 25%
The student will give a 5-minute seminar outlining their reading topic and then answer questions. The format should be as per a conference presentation. In addition the student will prepare a 200 word abstract written for a non-specialist that will be circulated prior to the presentations.
Report or Literature Review
Due: Week 13 Weighting: 60%
Students are to complete report or literature review (around 2500 words) on their chosen topic. Students are to engage with their supervisor through regular meetings to define the the structure and content of the report.
Assessment Criteria
Assessment at Macquarie University is standards-based, as outlined in the Assessment Policy. This means that your work will be assessed against clear criteria, and these criteria will be made available when the assessment tasks are released to you on iLearn.
Submission of two of your assessments 2 and 4 must be submitted online through Turnitin. Links for the submission of each assignment will be available on iLearn. The due dates for all four assessment tasks are not negotiable. If you have commitments that will significantly impact your study during the session then you must plan for this in advance as part of an effective individual study plan and you may need to contact the unit convenor for advice.
Hurdle Requirement
A hurdle requirement is an activity for which a minimum level of performance or participation is a condition of passing the unit (see the Assessment Policy). In this unit, the hurdle requirement is that the study plan is submitted by 08-3-2021. Failure to meet the hurdle requirement will result in failure of the unit.
Marking of Assessments
Your two major assignments will be marked through Turnitin and feedback will be noted on the assignment. Do not submit your assignments via email or in hard copy. Your grades will be returned using the Grades Report on iLearn. Grades from your quizzes and the exam will also be made available on iLearn.
Penalties for Late Assessments
The penalty for late submission of assessments in this unit is ten percent (10 %) of the assessment value per day, calculated from the due time and date. This means that if the assignment is worth a total of 30 marks (or 30 % of the unit) you will lose 3 marks for each day late. This is a hefty penalty designed to make you aware of the importance of organising yourself around assessment due dates. The penalty will be applied over weekdays and weekends unless you have been granted an extension by the lecturer responsible for the assignment prior to the due date.
Extensions for Assessments
To obtain an extension for an assessment task, you will need to follow the formal process as outlined in the Special Consideration Policy, and you must provide appropriate supporting documentation (e.g. medical certificate - see advice for Special Consideration requests). The final decision regarding the granting of an extension and/or a late penalty lies with the unit convenor/lecturer responsible for the assignment. Permission for extension must be sought well before the due date unless this is absolutely impossible. Let us know of problems in advance or as soon as possible, not after the event: we are likely to be much more sympathetic and flexible in our requirements if you follow this advice.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study Plan | 0% | Yes | 8/3/21 |
| Annotated Bibliography | 15% | No | Week 5 |
| Virtual Report Seminar | 25% | No | Week 12 |
| Literature Review | 60% | No | Week 13 |
Study Plan
Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: 8/3/21
Weighting: 0%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
A written framework describing the structure and workload of the literature project. Negotiated with supervisor via email or Zoom
On successful completion you will be able to:
- develop a working relationship with an academic supervisor in the department and understand their research field
Annotated Bibliography
Assessment Type 1: Annotated bibliography
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 5
Weighting: 15%
A bibliography including at least 10 relevant papers including a short description/summary
On successful completion you will be able to:
- perform background research and synthesise existing scientific literature to investigate an active research topic
- write a scientific literature review consistent with the standards of a Masters thesis
Virtual Report Seminar
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 25%
An oral presentation online summarizing the findings of the students report including a 100 word summary (abstract) written for a non-specialist.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- perform background research and synthesise existing scientific literature to investigate an active research topic
- use oral presentation and scientific argumentation to present ideas from your report clearly with supporting evidence
Literature Review
Assessment Type 1: Literature review
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 60%
A comprehensive report or literature review on the students chosen topic
On successful completion you will be able to:
- perform background research and synthesise existing scientific literature to investigate an active research topic
- write a scientific literature review consistent with the standards of a Masters thesis
- develop a working relationship with an academic supervisor in the department and understand their research field
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
This is a unit designed to provide students with reading projects in advanced topics from an area of earth and environmental sciences. There are no lectures or practicals. Students are expected to scope out a suitable reading project with their Academic Supervisor, and complete a Study Plan accordingly. Student will arrange a meeting schedule with their Academic Supervisors as part of this process. Academic Supervisors provide guidance and feedback on progress at these meetings.
Example study plans and a proforma are provided on the unit iLearn site.
Web pages and electronic resources:
The main unit web page will be on iLearn: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/MQ/
iLearn is Macquarie's learning management system. Assignments, hand-outs, and reading material will be available from this site - please ensure you have a valid login in
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). 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
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/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
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.
Changes from Previous Offering
This unit was previously only a geosciences unit but it has been expanded during the departmental merger to incorporate both earth and environmental sciences
Unit information based on version 2021.03 of the Handbook