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Unit outline_

CHNG5223: Dissertation B

Semester 2, 2024 [Supervision] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

To complete a substantial research project and successfully analyse a problem, devise appropriate experiments, analyse the results and produce a well-argued, in-depth thesis.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Credit points 12
Prerequisites
? 
CHNG5222
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
ENGG5220 OR ENGG5221 OR CHNG5020 OR CHNG5021 OR CHNG5022
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Marcello Solomon, marcello.solomon@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Marcello Solomon, marcello.solomon@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Katelyn Clutterbuck, katelyn.clutterbuck@sydney.edu.au
Luis Gustavo Bezerra de Campos, luisgustavo.bezerradecampos@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Skills-based evaluation Risk Assessment Task II
- Completion of an advanced Quiz - Completion of a second Risk Assessment
6% Week 06
Due date: 06 Sep 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 06 Sep 2024
Submission of Work
Outcomes assessed: LO2
Skills-based evaluation Oral/Poster presentation
Oral presentation (Semester 1) Poster presentation (Semester 2)
15% Week 08
Due date: 20 Sep 2024 at 17:00

Closing date: 20 Sep 2024
7min presentation + 2min Q&A
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO8
Skills-based evaluation Risk Assessment Reflection Task
Students will reflect on their learnings about Risk Assessment this year
3% Week 09
Due date: 27 Sep 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 27 Sep 2024
Short Reflection
Outcomes assessed: LO2
Honours thesis hurdle task Thesis
written report
76% Week 13
Due date: 03 Nov 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 03 Nov 2024
60-80 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Each student will be required to report on the mid-term progress or final results in their thesis/project investigations by deliverying an oral and a poster presentation to their fellow thesis students and their supervisors. Oral presentation will be scheduled in Week 13 of the first semester and the poster presentation will be scheduled in Week 8 of the second semester.

Final Thesis is an individual thesis documenting and interpreting the information compiled during the research, and to act as the vehicle for communication to the interested reader.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Failure to deliver a scheduled presentation will result in a 0 mark for this component unless prior arrangement for special consideration has been approved by the unit coordinator. Any late submission of assignments without the approval of Special Considerations will attract a 5% per day penalty of full mark.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Progressive 1. Works on project; 2. Conduct experiments; 3. Meet with supervisor to discuss progress; 4. Data collection and analysis; 5. Prepare thesis draft Project (52 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 01 Risk Assessment II (Feedback and Advanced Topics in Risk Assessment) Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6 LO8
Week 02 Risk Assessment Case Study and Workshop Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO7
Week 05 Techniques in Oral Presentation (Semester 1) or Poster Presentation (Semester 2) Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8
Week 06 Dissertation B - Writing a Thesis Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8
Thesis Workshop I Workshop (2 hr) LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 07 Thesis Workshop II Workshop (2 hr) LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8

Attendance and class requirements

- All lecture and workshop attendance is highly recommended

Study commitment: Students are expected to spend about 10 hours of research related independent study outside the specified contact periods. Progress reports are also due continuously to supervisor. Given the extended nature of the project, students should be looking to develop a piece suitable for publication.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 12 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 240-300 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. formulate an appropriate method for investigating a specific engineering question
  • LO2. understand the importance of risk management when devising, planning and performing research tasks
  • LO3. formulate and plan a personal research project
  • LO4. document and report research work undertaken in a professional format appropriate for academic literature
  • LO5. deliver a research presentation that is clear, confident and engaging to an academic audience
  • LO6. employ originality, ingenuity and initiative in dealing with critical research issues
  • LO7. analyse raw data, draw appropriate conclusions and present those conclusions in context, with due consideration of methods and assumptions involved.
  • LO8. develop in-depth knowledge of a specialised area within the discipline

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Changes have been made to reflect student reviews of previous units. Staff have also been consulted where possible based on their feedback

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.