Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Matthew Kosnik
Contact via matthew.kosnik@mq.edu.au
14 Eastern Road, 330
before or after seminars/discussions or by appointment.
Caitlin Kordis
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Credit points |
Credit points
10
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
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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 deeply engages students with the broad topics, big questions, strategies, new directions of scientific thought and break-through methods currently emerging in the biological, chemical, earth and environmental sciences. Activities undertaken include tailored workshops and presentations by research groups and academics, seminar attendance, directed reading of research literature, as well as the discussion and critique of wide-ranging research topics. Students will demonstrate their understanding of current research and develop their science communication skills based on the research frontiers explored; they will become embedded in our active research community, and reflect on their future goals in their chosen discipline. |
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:
Engagement – please read, as this is very important
As a BPhil / MRes Yr 1 student you are becoming part of our community of researchers. You need to be an active participant in the unit activities. You will be expected to lead and particpate in discussions, ask questions and engage with seminar speakers, and proactively work to find your place in our diverse research community.
Academic Honesty
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
Due dates and assessement topics
For assessments where the topic is to be derived from a seminar / discussion - you must get the topic approved by the instructor prior to submission. Topics covered in leading discussions, summary paragraphs and general audience communicaiton piece need to be distinct and span the breadth of the research undertaken within the school with no more than one of those from your area of focus. In the first two weeks of the session you will have the opportunity to adjust the due dates listed in the unit guide through agreement with the instructor. Once due dates are agreed they are final (see: extensions and penalties).
Extensions, late penalties
In-class activities must be undertaken at the time indicated in the unit guide / timetable (late submissions will not be accepted). Should these activities be missed due to illness or misadventure, students may apply for Special Consideration. All other assessments must be submitted by 5:00 pm on their due date. Should these assessments be missed due to illness or misadventure, students should apply for Special Consideration using the online form: ask.mq.edu.au.
A 12-hour grace period will be given after which the following deductions will be applied to the awarded assessment mark: 12 to 24 hours late = 10% deduction; for each day thereafter, an additional 10% per day or part thereof will be applied until five days beyond the due date. After this time, a mark of zero (0) will be given. For example, an assessment worth 20% is due 5 pm on 1 January. Student A submits the assessment at 1 pm, 3 January. The assessment received a mark of 15/20. A 20% deduction is then applied to the mark of 15, resulting in the loss of three (3) marks. Student A is then awarded a final mark of 12/20.
Off-shore students Off-shore students must email the convenor as soon as possible to discuss study options.
COVID Information and on-campus classes On-campus teaching continues to be scheduled for Session 1, 2022. Masks are compulsory for all classes in indoor spaces and social distancing will be implemented wherever possible. Students will also be required to sanitise surfaces before and after use.
Students are requested to minimise the risk of spreading COVID to themselves and others in accordance with the university and NSW Health guidelines: https://www.mq.edu.au/about/coronavirus-faqs and https://www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/stay-safe. Students who feel unwell are requested to participate in the class using the online option (see iLearn). Any further requirements or changes to units in relation to COVID will be communicated to students via iLearn.
Disruptions to studies
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/
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Seminar and discussion participation | 10% | No | Weekly through session |
Discussion leadership | 25% | No | As agreed |
Goals and needs assessment | 10% | No | Week 3 or as agreed |
Communication plan | 10% | No | Week 5 or as agreed |
Summary paragraph | 15% | No | Week 2 and Week 7 or as agreed. |
General audience science communication | 25% | No | Week 10 or as agreed. |
Time on task reflection | 5% | No | Week 13 |
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: Weekly through session
Weighting: 10%
Seminars and discussion groups will expose you to a broad range of topics in the natural sciences from which you will select topics to explore in greater detail. Proactive participation in discussions following seminars is required. In addition to the seminars hosted by the school, you will also be required to attend seminars elsewhere (e.g. other departments / schools at Macquarie University, other universities, museums, botanical gardens or other research oriented institutions).
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 21 hours
Due: As agreed
Weighting: 25%
You will be expected to present on discussion topics and facilitate group discussions.
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 7 hours
Due: Week 3 or as agreed
Weighting: 10%
You will reflect on your professional aspirations and how you can most effectively use your BPhil/MRes to advance those goals. You will discuss research aspirations with potential supervisors and other researchers at various career stages to reflect on potentially mutual research interests, preferred methods and modes of work and future goals.
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 7 hours
Due: Week 5 or as agreed
Weighting: 10%
You will develop a communication and professional networking plan based on the career goals and aspirations you have identified in the goals and needs assessment.
Assessment Type 1: Professional writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Week 2 and Week 7 or as agreed.
Weighting: 15%
Using a seminar or discussion group as inspiration, you will write a Nature summary paragraph.
Assessment Type 1: Non-academic writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 28 hours
Due: Week 10 or as agreed.
Weighting: 25%
Using a seminar or discussion group as inspiration, you will complete a science communication piece (blog, video, podcast, etc) aimed at a general audience.
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 7 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 5%
Through the session, you will keep a time on task diary. At the end of the session, you will reflect on the time required to perform various tasks, your time management, and identify ways to improve your time management, research planning, and ways to be more efficient in your work.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Weekly seminars and discussions will happen in person (if possible) and via Zoom link to be provided via iLearn.
One full day workshop in week one is provided in person (with online back up available for those unable to attend in person). It is preferred that students attend the workshop in person if it is possible and they are felling well, but no formal medical certificate is required. Please advise the convenor as soon as possible if you will not be attending in person so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
The school seminar schedule is still being finalised, but you will need to attend school seminars and the discussion session following. You are expected to engage in weekly activities/discussions and at the start of the session you will be assigned / sign up for times to be the discussion leader.
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.
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 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
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
The Writing Centre provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.
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.
Date | Description |
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01/02/2022 | Added faculty late policy and covid related information as required. |
Unit information based on version 2022.01 of the Handbook