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Unit outline_

PMGT5860: Project Leadership Thesis A

Semester 1, 2022 [Supervision] - Remote

Project Leadership Thesis A and B provide an opportunity for students to undertake a major project in a specialised area relevant to Project Leadership. Students will work individually to plan and write reports. Project Leadership Thesis can be spread over a whole year, in two successive Units of Study of 6 credits points each, Project Leadership Thesis A (PMGT5860) and Project Leadership Thesis B (PMGT5861). This particular unit of study, which must precede PMGT5861 Project Leadership Thesis B, should cover the first half of the work required for a complete thesis project. In particular, it should include almost all project planning, a major proportion of the necessary background research, and a significant proportion of the investigative or design work required of the project. Project Management Leadership Thesis A and B is aimed at providing candidates with an opportunity to develop deeper understanding of issues related to different aspects of leadership in managing projects in complex settings. This is an independent study guided by regular academic supervision as well as feedback from industry experts or advisors who would be serving on the thesis panel. Candidates would be required to bring a real world problem from their current work environment and develop rigorous analysis of the problem by summarising the existing literature and practices. Most of the work would comprise using case study, interpretative study and or action research as a methodological approach to investigate and analyse the phenomenon under investigation.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Project Management
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Lynn Crawford, lynn.crawford@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Research methodology
Methodology for conduct of research to address research question(s)
35% Formal exam period 2500 - 3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4
Assignment Literature review
Literature Review for chosen thesis topic
35% Formal exam period 3500-4000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO7 LO8
Participation Writing workshop participation
Literature review and writing workshop
10% Multiple weeks 6 x 2 hour workshops
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO4 LO3
Assignment Research plan
Enrolment in OLEO5312 Project Management Research and research plan
10% Week 05 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO8
Presentation Seminar presentation A
Presentation of relevant literature, gap, research question & design
10% Week 12 10 minute presentation
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

This is the first of two thesis Units.   In this first Unit, the focus is on

  • conducting a literature review on a topic agreed with your Supervisor
  • identifying a research question(s)
  • determining a theoretical framework and research methodology for addressing the research question

The second of these two Units will be assessed on the conduct of the research and the written thesis.  

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas in the Project Research Studies site in the Master by Coursework Thesis Manual for the MPM, MPPM and MPL.  

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.

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
Multiple weeks Literature review and writing workshop Workshop (24 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO8
Meetings with Supervisor One-to-one tuition (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Ongoing Research plan, literature review and research design for an original thesis Independent study (116 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9

Attendance and class requirements

This Unit primarily involves independent study.  You will be assigned a supervisor and should plan to meet with your supervisor regularly throughout the Semester.  

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. Drive a research project and take ownership in its articulation, design, planning, execution and documentation.
  • LO2. Conduct a critical review of literature relevant to a chosen topic with focus on identifying key themes, contributions, research gaps and issues.
  • LO3. Articulate and justify a researchable question or questions suitable for investigation.
  • LO4. Identify, select and justify relevant theory, research philosophy and research methods suitable for addressing a research question or problem in an academic manner.
  • LO5. Apply selected research method(s) with consideration of reliability and validity of results.
  • LO6. Draw conclusions based on raw data analysis and refine those conclusions in context based on consideration of methods and assumptions involved.
  • LO7. Demonstrate originality, ingenuity and initiative in dealing with critical research issues.
  • LO8. Document and report research work that demonstrates a clear line of argument and follows a format appropriate for academic literature.
  • LO9. Demonstrate ability to disseminate research work accurately, informatively and constructively to both academic and non-academic audiences in a professional manner.

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.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Disclaimer

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

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