Students

BIOL7915 – Research Topic in Biology 2

2021 – Session 1, Special circumstances

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
Matthew Kosnik
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit will focus on special topics in biology. Topics may range from genes to ecosystems, and focus on any level of biological organisation and any biological group or process. Topics will be chosen to encourage students to explore the different disciplines in biology and to develop skills in analysis and investigation that are necessary that are required to undertake more advanced research.

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: Critically synthesize and evaluate information from a variety of sources
  • ULO2: Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the principles and concepts in one or more disciplines of Biology
  • ULO3: Rigorously apply scientific methods to address a biological research question
  • ULO4: Articulate clearly a coherent argument in written, oral or technical communication as relevant to the specific activity chosen

General Assessment Information

Academic Honesty – please read, as this is very important

Presenting the work of another person as one’s own is a serious breach of the University’s rules and carries significant penalties. The University’s Academic Honesty Policy can be found at http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html

In this unit, we will be checking written work for plagiarism using TURNITIN. Penalties for plagiarism may include a zero mark for the assignment or in more extreme cases, failure of the unit. Plagiarism WILL be noted on your academic record. Full details of penalties can be found at http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/schedule_penalties.html

 

Extensions, penalties and disruptions to studies

Late assignments will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks allocated to the exercise per day. You may hand in your work after the due date and escape penalty only if you have an acceptable reason (usually a medical certificate). Discuss your problem with the Lecturer as early as possible before the due date, however note that all requests for extensions MUST be submitted using the online form: ask.mq.edu.au.

Information about the Disruptions to Studies policy and procedure is online at Policy Central: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/procedure.html.

Information on managing your Disruptions to Studies: http://students.mq.edu.au/student_admin/manage_your_study_program/disruption_to_studies/

 

 

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Assessment tasks (3+) 95% No As agreed.
Learning plan 5% No Week 1

Assessment tasks (3+)

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 135 hours
Due: As agreed.
Weighting: 95%

 

Supervisor and student to determine Assessment Tasks and weightings for project based units OR as listed in unit guides where components of other units are being undertaken; and approved by the unit convenor. Minimum 3 tasks required, with a maximum of 60% weighting for any one task. Tasks can vary and may include a scientific report, report, essay or exam, as appropriate for a 10cp unit.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically synthesize and evaluate information from a variety of sources
  • Demonstrate advanced knowledge of the principles and concepts in one or more disciplines of Biology
  • Rigorously apply scientific methods to address a biological research question

Learning plan

Assessment Type 1: Learning plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: Week 1
Weighting: 5%

 

With your supervisor develop a learning plan for the unit including assessment tasks and total time to be spent on the tasks (not to exceed 135 hrs).

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically synthesize and evaluate information from a variety of sources
  • Articulate clearly a coherent argument in written, oral or technical communication as relevant to the specific activity chosen

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 unit covers a range of bespoke options for students working across a variety of situations. It is required that they check in with the unit convenor though the session as arranged in addition to working with the supervisor of specific individual activities. Modes of delivery and resources required will vary depending on the student specific activities.

Unit Schedule

Week 1 - assessment schedule and activity to be proposed and agreed. The remainder of the session as per the agreed schedule.

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:

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 since First Published

Date Description
07/02/2021 SC linkage

Unit information based on version 2021.03 of the Handbook