Students

NSCI7930 – Research Topics in Natural Sciences 1

2024 – Session 1, In person-scheduled-infrequent, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Martin Whiting
martin.whiting@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
It is co-badged with FOSE7701.
Unit description Unit description

This unit comprises study of special topics in the natural sciences, and is designed to supplement a student’s existing knowledge and coursework with targeted material and techniques that will be required for their MRes thesis project in year two. Activities may include attending a national or international summer school, cross-institutional study or highly tailored units of study that are exemplars of current analytical/theoretical concepts or problem-solving applications. Topics and activities will be selected with the aid of an academic supervisor.

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 an advanced knowledge of research principles and methods
  • ULO3: Rigorously apply scientific methods to address a research question
  • ULO4: Articulate clearly a coherent argument in written, oral or technical communication as relevant to the specific activity chosen

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Learning plan 5% Yes Week 3
Assessment tasks (3+) 95% No Week 8-10

Learning plan

Assessment Type 1: Learning plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: Week 3
Weighting: 5%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

You will work with the supervisor or unit convenor to develop a learning plan for the unit that includes all assessment tasks and the total time to be spent on these tasks (not to exceed 132 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

Assessment tasks (3+)

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 132 hours
Due: Week 8-10
Weighting: 95%

 

You will have a minimum of 3 assessment tasks, 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. Assessment tasks and weightings will follow the learning plan agreed upon with the supervisor for a project-based unit, or will be as listed in the unit guides when components of other units are being undertaken with the approval of the unit convenor.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Critically synthesize and evaluate information from a variety of sources
  • Demonstrate an advanced knowledge of research principles and methods
  • Rigorously apply scientific methods to address a research question
  • 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

MRes Shell units are designed to provide flexibility in learning options for year 1 Masters of Research students. The goal of these units is to provide a way for students to acquire capabilities that will be useful for their year 2 project or cross-disciplinary experience. The goal is not to provide them with extra time to start their projects.

The activities and assessments are determined between the supervisor and the student and equate to a workload of 150 hours. 

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

Academic Integrity

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.

Student Support

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

The Writing Centre

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. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via AskMQ, or contact Service Connect.

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.

Unit information based on version 2024.03 of the Handbook