Skip to main content
Unit outline_

HPSC4203: HPS Honours Research Project C

Semester 2, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Research into a topic in history, philosophy or sociology of science under the supervision of one or more members of the HPS staff.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit History and Philosophy of Science Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
HPSC4202
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

(HPSC2100 or HPSC2900) and (HPSC2101 or HPSC2901)

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Peter Godfrey-Smith, peter.godfrey-smith@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Honours thesis Honours Thesis
Honours Thesis
100% Ongoing 15000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

Assessment summary

Honours Theses are assessed by two markers at the end of Project D.

Assessment criteria

Result Name Mark Range Description
PS Below 65:  Similar to a ‘fail’ at the undergraduate level.
CR 65-69: Minimally satisfactory, similar to a low pass at the undergraduate level.
CR 70-74: Adequate, but with some major weaknesses.
DI 75-79:  An adequate essay that shows a reasonable understanding of the material.
DI 80-84:  A good essay, showing a good understanding of the material. The essay is well-written and shows a solid knowledge of the subject area. The work reflects independent thought and contains some novel insights 
HD 85-89:  As above. In addition, the essay shows considerable originality, and/or contains substantial scholarship that furthers our understanding of the topic. The writing and argumentation are of very high quality.
HD 90-94:  As above. In addition, the work constitutes a contribution to the professional field. Some or all of the material is potentially suitable for submission to an academic journal following revision and some additional work. 
HD 95-100:  As above. In addition, the essay is potentially a very significant contribution to the professional field. Some or all of the material is suitable for submission to one of the best academic journals, following only a small amount of additional work. Marks in this range are very rarely given.

 

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.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes

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 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 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. Design and write a research project plan comprising comprehensive literature review, focused research question(s), appropriate methodology, proposed data collection and analysis, and expected results and implications.
  • LO2. Manage the scope and delivery of milestones set out in the research plan through continuous monitoring and control
  • LO3. Demonstrate knowledge of a specialised area within the project management and/or other discipline/domain that contributes to the body of knowledge in project management and/or other discipline/domain
  • LO4. Use an appropriate research methodology for investigating a specific research question
  • LO5. Analyse data, draw appropriate conclusions and present those conclusions in context, with due consideration of methods and assumptions involved
  • LO6. Document and report research work undertaken in a format appropriate for academic literature with correct referencing
  • LO7. Deliver a research presentation that is clear, confident and engaging to an academic and/or practitioner audience
  • LO8. Develop originality, ingenuity and initiative in dealing with critical research issues

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.

N/A

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.