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Unit outline_

SURG5007: Dissertation A

Semester 2, 2022 [Supervision] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

The dissertation is a formal piece of writing relevant to the subject area of the Masters' degree. Candidates will work on a specified research project under appropriate supervision. The dissertation is in Parts A and B, both of which will be completed in a minimum of one year of full-time study or two years of part time study. In Dissertation A the formation of the research question, research plan and literature review will be undertaken and presented with guidance from University academic staff meCandidates will work on an independent research project in an area of specific interest. The project may take the form of analysis of an existing data set, a systematic review of the literature, a case series, survey, or other project acceptable to the project supervisor and faculty team. In Dissertation A, the formation of the research question, research plan and literature review will be undertaken and presented with guidance from University academic staff members. The literature review can subsequently be incorporated into the dissertation. It is essential that appropriate ethics approval or advice is gained from the governing body where the project will take place. A research plan will need to be developed and candidates must provide a letter of approval from their local supervisor that a project and research question have been identified and the relevant approvals have been obtained. A candidate must enrol in a minimum of 18 credit points of dissertation units of study in order to submit their final dissertation. It is expected that candidates will spend about 10 hours per week on their research project. The literature review submission should be about 2,000 words. Assessment will include discussion boards (6 x 2.5%), end of subject presentation (30%) and written literature review (55%).mbers.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Surgery
Credit points 9
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
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None
Prohibitions
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None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Peter Moritz, peter.moritz@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Literature Review
Literature Review
55% Formal exam period up to 2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Online task Module Discussion Boards
Discussion post
15% Ongoing 400 words or less
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Online task Video Presentation
Online Video Presentation
30% Week 10 Maximum 5 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

Module Discussion Board: Fortnightly discussion board which aims to assist with tracking of your project progress throughout semester.

Video Presentation: A short video presentation (maximum 5 minutes long) on your research project.

Literature Review: Up to 2,000 word written literature review identifying gaps and developing an appropriate research question will need to be submitted.

Detailed information can be found on Canvas

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
Week 01 Module 1: The Research Question Forum (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Module 2: The Search Strategy Forum (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Module 3: Data Plan and Ethics Forum (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Module 4: Methods Forum (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Module 5: Progress Forum (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Module 6: Timelines Forum (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

  • Active supervisor relationship in area of interest and an introductory understanding of research, ethics and statistics.

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 9 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 180-225 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. Demonstrate how to formulate a research question to address a gap in the current literature
  • LO2. Discuss how to perform a literature review
  • LO3. Consider data required for your project and ethics requirements
  • LO4. Outline and present your research plan within a time frame achievable with the Surgical Dissertation program

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.

We value your feedback about any aspect of the unit of study and your experience as a student of Sydney Medical School. To help ensure our courses meet your needs and maintain a high standard, we welcome your feedback at any time and we ask you to complete the Mid-Semester Evaluation Survey and the unit of study Evaluation Survey at the end of the semester. You can also rate any component of the unit using our star rating system found at the bottom of many pages as you progress through the unit. Your ratings and comments are anonymous and specifying what you liked and didn’t like about any of the learning materials, assessment items, discussion forums, feedback etc will help us to target our improvement efforts. Please note that your participation in this unit of study permits de-identified information about your learning experience and interaction with learning resources to be used for the purpose of improving the student learning experience.

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.