Students

GEOS705 – Research Methods in Earth and Planetary Sciences

2018 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Steven Hansen
Elena Belousova
Stephen Foley
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
This unit provides advanced knowledge of research principles and methods in Earth and Planetary Sciences. The first part of the unit provides skills in generic research methods. The second part of the unit provides the opportunity to develop specific project-related methods and may include: learning various analysis techniques; learning to use equipment; learning to use software.

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:

  • This unit aims at introducing students to strategies and methods of research in the Earth Sciences and familiarizing them with general research tools.
  • At completion of this unit students will be (i) aware of the ethics in science and in publishing scientific research papers
  • (ii) be able to use research tools such as literature databases and/or analytical equipment,
  • (iii) understand scientific methodology and
  • (iv) to communicate their research results in writing as well as orally.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Assignment 1 25% No Week 7
Assignment 2 25% No Week 8
Assignment 3 40% No Week 11-12
Participation 10% No ongoing

Assignment 1

Due: Week 7
Weighting: 25%

This assignment consists of writing abstracts for published articles and discuss these in class. Details given in class.

The assignment relates to learning outcome 'communicating research results' and 'publishing scientific research papers'.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • This unit aims at introducing students to strategies and methods of research in the Earth Sciences and familiarizing them with general research tools.
  • (iii) understand scientific methodology and
  • (iv) to communicate their research results in writing as well as orally.

Assignment 2

Due: Week 8
Weighting: 25%

The short assignment consists of gathering information in writing on the lives and works of philosophers as well as of the most important philosophical concepts in the natural sciences. This assignment includes a group discussion in class. Details presented in class.

The assignment relates to learning outcomes 'ethics in science', 'understanding scientific methodology' and 'communicating research results'.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • This unit aims at introducing students to strategies and methods of research in the Earth Sciences and familiarizing them with general research tools.
  • At completion of this unit students will be (i) aware of the ethics in science and in publishing scientific research papers
  • (iii) understand scientific methodology and
  • (iv) to communicate their research results in writing as well as orally.

Assignment 3

Due: Week 11-12
Weighting: 40%

This assignment consists of an oral presentation of the student's experience of 'shadowing' a graduate student or staff member during their research work over the semester. Details given in class.

The assignment relates to learning outcomes 'understanding scientific methodology' and 'communicating research results'.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • This unit aims at introducing students to strategies and methods of research in the Earth Sciences and familiarizing them with general research tools.
  • (ii) be able to use research tools such as literature databases and/or analytical equipment,
  • (iv) to communicate their research results in writing as well as orally.

Participation

Due: ongoing
Weighting: 10%

This assessment evaluates each student's participation in class.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • This unit aims at introducing students to strategies and methods of research in the Earth Sciences and familiarizing them with general research tools.
  • (iii) understand scientific methodology and

Delivery and Resources

1 hour weekly face-to- face discussion time

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results shown in iLearn, 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.

Special Consideration

If you receive special consideration for the final exam, a supplementary exam will be scheduled in the interval between the regular exam period and the start of the next session.  By making a special consideration application for the final exam you are declaring yourself available for a resit during the supplementary examination period and will not be eligible for a second special consideration approval based on pre-existing commitments.  Please ensure you are familiar with the policy prior to submitting an application. You can check the supplementary exam information page on FSE101 in iLearn (bit.ly/FSESupp) for dates, and approved applicants will receive an individual notification one week prior to the exam with the exact date and time of their supplementary examination.

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 improve your marks and take control of your study.

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

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.

Graduate Capabilities

PG - Capable of Professional and Personal Judgment and Initiative

Our postgraduates will demonstrate a high standard of discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgment. They will have the ability to make informed choices and decisions that reflect both the nature of their professional work and their personal perspectives.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • This unit aims at introducing students to strategies and methods of research in the Earth Sciences and familiarizing them with general research tools.
  • (iii) understand scientific methodology and

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment 2
  • Assignment 3
  • Participation

PG - Discipline Knowledge and Skills

Our postgraduates will be able to demonstrate a significantly enhanced depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content knowledge in their chosen fields.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • This unit aims at introducing students to strategies and methods of research in the Earth Sciences and familiarizing them with general research tools.
  • (ii) be able to use research tools such as literature databases and/or analytical equipment,
  • (iii) understand scientific methodology and

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment 1
  • Assignment 3

PG - Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking

Our postgraduates will be capable of utilising and reflecting on prior knowledge and experience, of applying higher level critical thinking skills, and of integrating and synthesising learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments. A characteristic of this form of thinking is the generation of new, professionally oriented knowledge through personal or group-based critique of practice and theory.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • This unit aims at introducing students to strategies and methods of research in the Earth Sciences and familiarizing them with general research tools.
  • At completion of this unit students will be (i) aware of the ethics in science and in publishing scientific research papers
  • (iii) understand scientific methodology and
  • (iv) to communicate their research results in writing as well as orally.

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment 2
  • Participation

PG - Research and Problem Solving Capability

Our postgraduates will be capable of systematic enquiry; able to use research skills to create new knowledge that can be applied to real world issues, or contribute to a field of study or practice to enhance society. They will be capable of creative questioning, problem finding and problem solving.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • This unit aims at introducing students to strategies and methods of research in the Earth Sciences and familiarizing them with general research tools.
  • (ii) be able to use research tools such as literature databases and/or analytical equipment,
  • (iii) understand scientific methodology and
  • (iv) to communicate their research results in writing as well as orally.

Assessment task

  • Assignment 1

PG - Effective Communication

Our postgraduates will be able to communicate effectively and convey their views to different social, cultural, and professional audiences. They will be able to use a variety of technologically supported media to communicate with empathy using a range of written, spoken or visual formats.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • This unit aims at introducing students to strategies and methods of research in the Earth Sciences and familiarizing them with general research tools.
  • (iv) to communicate their research results in writing as well as orally.

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment 1
  • Assignment 2
  • Assignment 3
  • Participation

PG - Engaged and Responsible, Active and Ethical Citizens

Our postgraduates will be ethically aware and capable of confident transformative action in relation to their professional responsibilities and the wider community. They will have a sense of connectedness with others and country and have a sense of mutual obligation. They will be able to appreciate the impact of their professional roles for social justice and inclusion related to national and global issues

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • This unit aims at introducing students to strategies and methods of research in the Earth Sciences and familiarizing them with general research tools.
  • At completion of this unit students will be (i) aware of the ethics in science and in publishing scientific research papers
  • (iii) understand scientific methodology and

Assessment tasks

  • Assignment 2
  • Participation