Students

FOAR7002 – Research Frontiers

2024 – Full year 1, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Kirstin Mills
kirstin.mills@mq.edu.au
Contact via Email
Room 752, Level 7, 25B Wally's Walk (Arts Precinct)
By appointment (please email to set up a time to meet on campus or online)
Credit points Credit points
20
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Research Frontiers 1 is a year-long unit that will expose Bachelor of Philosophy students to the range of topics that are currently dominating their chosen disciplines and the Humanities and Social Sciences more broadly. It will equip students with the skills to critically appraise the emerging research trends in their area of study, and prepare students to undertake independent research by allowing them to craft their own study program, tailored to their developing research ideas, and which incorporates the reading and thinking time necessary for the development of a research topic. Students will also participate in Department and Faculty research communities and cultures by attending research seminars, and deepen their learning through critical reflection on their developing skills, knowledge and experiences. Students will acquire disciplinary knowledge at a high level and learn how research is carried out in the disciplinary area of their choice so that by the end of the course they can demonstrate competence in articulating and applying key research skills in their field.

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: Explain the relevant research questions and approaches to research in their chosen discipline area.
  • ULO2: Apply a high level of oral, written and technological communication skills in the preparation of a portfolio documenting their learning.
  • ULO3: Use well developed judgement to responsibly ask research questions.
  • ULO4: Provide evidence of the ability to be an independent learner.

General Assessment Information

Late Assessment Submission Penalty 

University Assessment Policy is as follows:

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of‚ 0 (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue.

This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic. 

*As this is a Pass/Fail unit, the usual 5% penalty does not apply in the same way; please contact the Unit Convenor, Dr Kirstin Mills, if you are experiencing problems that will result in late submission of your assessment, and/or submit a Special Consideration.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Reflections on Learning Experiences 75% No 02/06/2024; 01/09/2024; 07/10/2024
End-of-year poster reflection 25% No 17/11/2024

Reflections on Learning Experiences

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 02/06/2024; 01/09/2024; 07/10/2024
Weighting: 75%

 

Students will write brief reflections of their learning journeys in response to prompts. Each reflection should communicate the value of activities undertaken for the students' learning journey and developing research ideas (see rubric under the 'Assessments' tab on the iLearn site for precise details of what is expected).

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the relevant research questions and approaches to research in their chosen discipline area.
  • Apply a high level of oral, written and technological communication skills in the preparation of a portfolio documenting their learning.
  • Use well developed judgement to responsibly ask research questions.

End-of-year poster reflection

Assessment Type 1: Poster
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 17/11/2024
Weighting: 25%

 

Students will create a poster that depicts their learning journey throughout the year towards their research topic.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply a high level of oral, written and technological communication skills in the preparation of a portfolio documenting their learning.
  • Use well developed judgement to responsibly ask research questions.
  • Provide evidence of the ability to be an independent learner.

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

FOAR7002 is a year long unit focused on researcher development. Students will attend 2 introductory lectures at the start of Session 1, which will explain how the unit and assessments work, and another at the end of Session 1 in preparation for moving into Session 2. Students will also undertake a personalised program of activities throughout the year designed to support the transition from undergraduate to postgraduate research, developing this program from a list of department-specified options that suit their own research needs (including department research seminars, reading groups or auditing a unit, development workshops, research skills workshops and independent reading).

Full details of each department's program for this unit are on the FOAR7002 iLearn site.

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 connect.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 the Service Connect Portal, 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 2024.01R of the Handbook