Students

GEOS704 – Readings in Geoscience

2019 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Steven Hansen
Kira Westaway
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description
Approved reading projects in advanced topics from an area of geoscience. A presentation of a seminar and written reports are required on completion of this project.

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:

  • Develop skills in scientific writing
  • Synthesise primary scientific literature
  • Advance skills in oral presentation of a scientific argument
  • Capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence
  • Understanding of the scientific method
  • Develop a working relationship with an academic supervisor

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Submit Study Plan 0% Yes 08/03/2019
Annotated Bibliography 15% No Week 5
Seminar 25% No Week 12
Report or Literature Review 60% No Week 13

Submit Study Plan

Due: 08/03/2019
Weighting: 0%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

Complete Study Plan with your chosen supervisor and submit to iLearn by end of Week 2. This is a hurdle assessment, i.e. pass/fail.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop a working relationship with an academic supervisor

Annotated Bibliography

Due: Week 5
Weighting: 15%

The student will provide a bibliography including at least 10 relevant papers. For each paper you should include a short description (up to 300 words) of the main points and relevance of the paper to the aims of your reading project.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Develop skills in scientific writing
  • Synthesise primary scientific literature
  • Understanding of the scientific method

Seminar

Due: Week 12
Weighting: 25%

The student will give a 15-minute seminar outlining their reading topic and then answer questions. The format should be as per a conference presentation.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Synthesise primary scientific literature
  • Advance skills in oral presentation of a scientific argument
  • Capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence
  • Understanding of the scientific method

Report or Literature Review

Due: Week 13
Weighting: 60%

Students are to complete report or literature review (around 2500 words) on their chosen topic. Students are to engage with their supervisor through regular meetings to define the the structure and content of the report.


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence
  • Understanding of the scientific method
  • Develop a working relationship with an academic supervisor

Delivery and Resources

This is a unit designed to provide students with reading projects in advanced topics from an area of geoscience. There are no lectures or practicals. Students are expected to scope out a suitable reading project with their Academic Supervisor, and complete a Study Plan accordingly. Student will arrange a meeting schedule with their Academic Supervisors as part of this process. Academic Supervisors provide guidance and feedback on progress at these meetings.

Example study plans and a proforma are provided on the unit iLearn site.

Web pages and electronic resources:

The main unit web page will be on iLearn:  https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/MQ/

iLearn is Macquarie's learning management system. Assignments, hand-outs, and reading material will be available here.

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 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

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

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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

  • Synthesise primary scientific literature
  • Develop a working relationship with an academic supervisor

Assessment task

  • Submit Study Plan

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

  • Develop skills in scientific writing
  • Synthesise primary scientific literature
  • Advance skills in oral presentation of a scientific argument
  • Capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence
  • Understanding of the scientific method

Assessment tasks

  • Annotated Bibliography
  • Seminar
  • Report or Literature Review

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

  • Develop skills in scientific writing
  • Synthesise primary scientific literature
  • Advance skills in oral presentation of a scientific argument
  • Capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence
  • Understanding of the scientific method

Assessment tasks

  • Seminar
  • Report or Literature Review

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

  • Develop skills in scientific writing
  • Synthesise primary scientific literature
  • Advance skills in oral presentation of a scientific argument
  • Capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence
  • Understanding of the scientific method

Assessment tasks

  • Seminar
  • Report or Literature Review

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

  • Develop skills in scientific writing
  • Advance skills in oral presentation of a scientific argument
  • Capacity to present ideas clearly with supporting evidence
  • Understanding of the scientific method
  • Develop a working relationship with an academic supervisor

Assessment tasks

  • Submit Study Plan
  • Annotated Bibliography
  • Seminar
  • Report or Literature Review