Outline

Overview

Students either alone or in teams of 2-4 members propose a research enquiry (possibly based on their employment). If students are working as a team then each student must present and report on a discrete aspect of the project, while also showing how each part builds towards the whole. The project is multidisciplinary and should cover at least 2 sustainability theme areas (energy and resources, food and water, health and populations, policy, society and change, business, and sustainability analysis) and be approved by the Unit Coordinator. Students must also demonstrate an understanding of sustainable systems by considering the social, environmental, and economic consequences of their project. The Unit Coordinator will appoint an academic advisor for each student or group. Students will keep a diary/log of their activities, to be submitted for assessment at the end of semester.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Science Faculty
Credit points	12
Prerequisites ?	Any 36 credit points of the following: SUST5001 or SUST5002 or SUST5003 or SUST5004 or SUST5005 or SUST5006 or PHYS5031
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	SUST5007
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Margaret Murray, joy.murray@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Capstone proposal Written proposal	0%	Week 01 Due date: 05 Mar 2021 at 23:59	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Research topic and plan of enquiry Oral presentation 1 - Thursday 5 pm and Friday 12 pm	15%	Week 03 Due date: 18 Mar 2021 at 23:59	15 minutes + 5 minutes questions
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Research topic and plan of enquiry Written report 1	15%	Week 03 Due date: 19 Mar 2021 at 23:59	1000 words max
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Progress report Oral presentation 2 - Thursday 5 pm and Friday 12 pm	15%	Week 08 Due date: 29 Apr 2021 at 23:59	20 minutes + 5 minutes questions
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Outcome of enquiry Oral presentation 3 - Thursday 5 pm and Friday 12:30 pm	20%	Week 12 Due date: 27 May 2021 at 23:59	20 minutes + 5 minutes questions
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Outcome of enquiry Written report 2	20%	Week 13 Due date: 04 Jun 2021 at 23:59	1500 words max
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Reflection of process and impact of project Written report 3	10%	Week 13 Due date: 04 Jun 2021 at 23:59	1000 words max
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Log of activities Student diary	5%	Week 13 Due date: 04 Jun 2021 at 23:59	n/a
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Below are brief assessment details. Further information can be found in the Canvas site for this unit.

First oral presentation: this is your research plan
First written report: will describe the research enquiry topic and the plan of enquiry. This report will be based on your approved proposal
Second oral presentation: is a progress report
Third oral presentation: tells about your outcomes and deliverables
Second written report: tells of the outcome of the enquiry including a description of the deliverable during week 13 of the semester
Third written report: will be a report reflecting on the process, the involvement of the student and the impact of the project. The content of the second and third written reports are combined into one document with headings to indicate which is the ‘report on outcomes’ and which is the ‘reflection’ (word counts as above; note that the word count does not include the reference list).
Student diary: is in hard copy or electronic form, it should be used to make a record of readings, discussions, ideas and taken with you to all meetings to record discussions and any decisions made with your workplace mentor and academic advisor.

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	Displays professionalism (LO7) & inspires confidence through depth and breadth of knowledge (LO1,2); Clearly describes the output (deliverable) (LO6,1,3,4); shows comprehensive and critical understanding of the environmental, social and economic outcomes of the project for the workplace and society (LO1,2,7); situates the study within the literature and points to possibility for further research (LO5,1); critically reflects on the project in the workplace and academic context (LO5); demonstrates deep understanding of sustainability and learning and the implications for their own future development and the workplace (LO5,2). See assessment criteria on canvas website, particularly “What makes the difference between a Pass and a Credit, a Distinction and a Higher Distinction”
Distinction	75 - 84	Displays professionalism & inspires confidence through knowledge (LO1,2); clearly describes the output (deliverable) (LO6,1,3,4); shows comprehensive understanding of the environmental, social and economic outcomes of the project for the workplace (LO1,2,7); shows how the project contributes to the body of knowledge (LO5,1); critically reflects on the project LO5); demonstrates broad understanding of sustainability and learning (LO5,2)
Credit	65 - 74	Displays most elements of professionalism; describes the output (deliverable); has an understanding of the environmental, social and economic outcomes of the project for the workplace; shows how the project contributes to the body of knowledge; reflects on the project and demonstrates a good understanding of sustainability and learning
Pass	50 - 64	Displays some elements of professionalism; description of output (deliverable) not fully clear; can identify some environmental, social and economic outcomes; can identify some related literature but contribution unclear; reflects on the project and shows some growth in understanding sustainability and learning
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.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction to the Capstone	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	Research topic and plan of enquiry	Presentation (3 hr)
Week 08	Progress report	Presentation (3 hr)
Week 12	Outcome of enquiry	Presentation (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Learning commitment: The student is expected to meet with the academic advisor at least once before commencing the project (up to one hour). The student is also expected to keep in touch with the academic advisor throughout the semester by email, telephone and face-to-face meetings (approximately seven hours). Contact must be made at least once before each presentation.

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

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. Discuss the integrated and holistic nature of environmental, social and economic sustainability
LO2. Apply your knowledge and skills to a real-life sustainability issue to solve a problem to your own and the workplace’s satisfaction
LO3. Work independently and with others
LO4. Recognize when you need help and know how to ask for and find it
LO5. Reflect on your learning and use your reflection for intellectual and creative growth
LO6. Present your work to diverse audiences
LO7. Demonstrate professionalism in a workplace (e.g. respect, listen to and support others in the workplace; be reliable; seek help when needed; deliver polished work; deliver on time)

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Additional information

Please check the Canvas site for this unit for information about the ‘deliverable’ for the workplace. In particular look at the Letter to Capstone Students in the Forms section

Science student portal

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory
As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

SUST5008: Research Project B

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect