Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.

All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor.

Students will be awarded a final grade [and a mark] which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure.

To pass this unit, you must attempt all assessment tasks, demonstrate sufficient evidence of achievement of the learning outcomes, meet any ungraded requirements, and achieve a final mark of 50 or better. 

Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.

Grading of Assessments

You will receive a grade for each assessment within this unit. The grades awarded will reflect a holistic evaluation of the work against the criteria outlined within the corresponding assessment rubric. Numerical marks will be calculated for each assessment based on the following percentages, and rounded to the nearest full mark:

• High distinction (HD) – 95%
• Distinction (D) – 80%
• Credit (C) – 70%
• Pass (P) – 60%
• Pass threshold (P-) – 50%
• Fail (F) – 40%

Submission of an assessment task that is deemed by the unit convenor to be incompete, or not a serious attempt, may result in the Fail (F) grade to be awarded a numerical grade below 40%.

Extensions for Assessment Tasks

Applications for assessment task extensions may be considered for short-term, unexpected, serious, and unavoidable circumstances affecting assessment. Applications must be submitted via Service Connect | Macquarie University For further details please refer to the Special Considerations Policy. You can also find out more on the MQ Student Portal at the following link: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/assessment-exams/special-consideration

Should you encounter any personal issues or concerns in regard to health and wellbeing during your studies you can also gain personal support and advice on campus. Please see the following link for further information: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/personal

Late Submissions

Unless an extension has been formally approved following University processess, a 5% penalty (OF THE TOTAL POSSIBLE MARK) will be applied each day an assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ 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 concern. 

 For example:

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

As a student enrolled in this unit, you will engage in a range of learning activities. Details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.

Assumed knowledge

This unit builds upon and assumes that you have a good understanding of all content delivered in Advanced Research Training (PHTY8303). 

Teaching and Learning Strategy

There are no specific lectures or online modules for this unit. This unit encompasses an active learning approach where you will be expected to actively engage in enhancing your own learning experience. Details can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.

Your research projects are intended to comprise a substantial body of independent work.  You will meet with your research supervisor/s on a regularly basis, either individually or in a group, to discuss your research.

You will also interact with academic staff and your peers online through forums and blog posts. You will  be required to independently identify aspects of your research skills that require further development and engage active strategies to achieve these. The teaching approach will be based on you developing a deep understanding of the principles and the ability to independently solve problems. Also included within the unit will be a focus upon increasing your digital literacy and advanced communication skills, with creativity and innovation being embraced.

Writing feedback sessions will be provided to assist with scientific writing and online assessment support will also be available throughout the unit. 

Unit Organisation

This is a 20 credit point unit. Overall, it is anticipated that you spend approximately 300 hours across the session on this unit. You will spend approximately 175 hours on your research activities including academic mentorship for your scientific writing and regular research meetings with your supervisor. You will need to allow approximately 125 hours for assessment based work.

Recommended readings

There is no compulsory textbook for this unit.  You will be expected to independently search for resources relevant to your research project, and your research supervisor will provide guidance as required. Any generic information related to research and assessment, such as presentation guidelines, will be posted on iLearn.

Technology Used

Active participation in the learning activities throughout the unit will require you to have access to a tablet, laptop or similar device. If you do not own a laptop computer you may borrow one from the university library.

On-campus

Teaching rooms are equipped with state of art audio-visual and ICT equipment including ipads, laptops, internet connection, high quality video cameras and multiple LCD screens. You will have access to a range of physiotherapy specific equipment if required for use in your research projects.

Off-campus

To study optimally off campus you will need to have access to a reliable internet connection to retrieve unit information, undertake independent study, participate in online research meetings & to submit assessment tasks via iLearn.

Consultation with staff 

Staff are available for individual consultation. See iLearn for contact details and times.

Across the semester you will engage in: i) meetings with your research supervisor; ii) independent skill development; iii) research project implementation, which depending upon your project may include data collection, data management and analysis; and iv) research communication (e.g. scientific writing and oral communication). Detailed information pertaining to the unit schedule can be found on iLearn.

The numbering of assessment tasks has changed. 

AT1 = Research skill development and reflection (previously AT3). 

AT2 = Research Manuscript (previously AT1)

AT3 = Research participation blog (previously AT2)

AT4 = Oral Presentation (unchanged)

In Assessment 1, the number of forum posts that students need to participate in has been reduced from 4 to 3. 

Macquarie University recognises that artificial intelligence (AI), especially generative AI, is rapidly reshaping education and the modern workplace. As AI becomes increasingly accessible, the University and your teaching staff are committed to preparing you to use these tools effectively, ethically, and with strong professional judgement. Rather than restricting technology, the emphasis is on helping you understand when and how AI can be used to enhance productivity, support learning, and reflect real-world professional practice. Across your degree, we will support you to develop the critical thinking, adaptability, and values-based decision-making skills required to navigate evolving AI tools responsibly, including acknowledging their use appropriately.  You should always appropriately acknowledge when you have used AI tools within assessment tasks, including which AI tools you have used and how you have used them.

To provide clarity, Macquarie University uses a simple, two-tiered approach to AI in assessment:

 AI Open assessments allow you to fully incorporate AI, reflecting authentic tasks where AI would normally be used in professional settings.

Observed with AI Optional assessments involve tasks where you either demonstrate essential knowledge without technology or show how you apply AI under supervision.

Across both categories, the goal is to ensure you build foundational knowledge, exercise sound judgement, and engage with AI in ways that uphold ethical, cultural, and university values.

Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life and flourish in their chosen field. The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students. It is your responsibility to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery. As a member of the Macquarie University community (and when on external/research activities representing the University), you must not discriminate against or harass others based on their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction or religious belief. All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone including when on external research activites.

In the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Human Sciences, professionalism is a key capability embedded in all our courses.

As part of developing professionalism, students are expected to attend all small group interactive sessions, including research and team-based learning activities. Some learning activities are recorded, however you are encouraged to avoid relying upon such material as they do not recreate the whole learning experience and technical issues can and do occur. As an adult learner, we respect your decision to choose how you engage with your learning, but we would remind you that the learning opportunities we create for you have been done so to enable your success, and that by not engaging you may impact your ability to successfully complete this unit. We equally expect that you show respect for the academic staff who have worked hard to develop meaningful activities and prioritise your learning by communicating with them in advance if you are unable to attend a small group interactive session (e.g., meetings with research supervisor).

Another dimension of professionalism is having respect for your peers. It is the right of every student to learn in an environment that is free of disruption and distraction. Please arrive to all learning activities on time, and if you are unavoidably detained, please join activity as quietly as possible to minimise disruption. Phones and other electronic devices that produce noise and other distractions must be turned off prior to entering class/meetings. Where your own device (e.g., laptop) is being used for class-related activities, you are asked to close down all other applications to avoid distraction to you and others. Please treat your fellow students with the utmost respect. If you are uncomfortable participating in any specific activity, please let the relevant academic know.