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Unit outline_

SUST5008: Research Project B

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

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 Fabian Sack, fabian.sack@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Research topic and plan of enquiry
Written report 1
20% Week 02
Due date: 12 Aug 2022 at 23:59
1500 words max
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
Presentation Progress report
Oral presentation 1
30% Week 07
Due date: 16 Sep 2022 at 23:59
20 minutes + 5 minutes questions
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO3 LO2
Presentation Outcome of enquiry
Oral presentation 2
30% Week 12
Due date: 28 Oct 2022 at 23:59
20 minutes + 5 minutes questions
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO3 LO2
Assignment Reflection of process and impact of project
Written report 2
20% Week 13
Due date: 05 Nov 2022 at 23:59
1000 words max
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5

Assessment summary

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

  • First written report: will describe your research plan, the research enquiry topic and the plan of enquiry. This report will include your approved proposal.
  • First oral presentation: is a progress report.
  • Second oral presentation: tells about your outcomes and deliverables.
  • Second written report: will be a report reflecting on the process, including the use of a learning journal, the involvement of the student and the impact of the project.

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.

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 Introduction to the Capstone Seminar (2 hr) LO1 LO4
Week 03 Research topic and plan of enquiry Presentation (3 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6
Week 08 Progress report Presentation (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 12 Outcome of enquiry Presentation (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6 LO7

Attendance and class requirements

Learning commitment: The student is expected to meet with the project supervisor at least once before commencing the project (up to one hour). The student is also expected to keep in touch with the project supervisor 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.

Required readings

There are no set texts for the capstone research project.

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. 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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

Changes to the unit administration in response to review have now been implemented.

Please check the Canvas site for this unit for information about the ‘deliverable’ for the workplace. 

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.

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.