BZ5512 - Minor Project, Seminar and Proposal

Credit points:	12
Year:	2009
Student Contribution Band:	Band 4
Administered by:	School of Marine & Tropical Biology

Available to postgraduate students in the School of Marine and Tropical Biology, who have been approved to do the research option.

Candidates will design and conduct a small discrete project. For example, candidates may trial and evaluate an experimental technique, collect data to evaluate a sampling program, or collect data on samples that form part of a larger project or as a pilot study for MSc research. The topic will be selected after consultation with the appropriate supervisor(s) and the Course Coordinator. Candidates will be required to write up the results of their research in the form of a scientific paper. In addition the candidate will write a formal research proposal in the form of a standard application for research funding and to give a 20 minute seminar to other students and members of the research team. Both the reports and the seminar should include critical appraisal of the objectives, methodology, results and future directions of the project.

Learning Outcomes

• develop a critical and rigorous approach to framing and addressing research questions;
• develop skills required for independent research, especially with respect to sampling design, data collection, data analysis and interpretation relevant to the field of research;
• gain an understanding of methodological and analytical approaches relevant to the field of research;
• gain experience in the conduct of research in a field relevant to Marine and Tropical Biology.

Graduate Qualities

• The ability to adapt knowledge to new situations;
• The ability to define and to solve problems in at least one discipline area;
• The ability to select and organise information and to communicate it accurately, cogently, coherently, creatively and ethically;
• The ability to speak and write clearly, coherently and creatively;
• The ability to conceptualise and evaluate a range of potential solutions to relevant problems;
• The ability to plan, conduct and manage research in their discipline;
• The ability to conduct their research in an ethical manner.

Inadmissible Subject Combinations:

BT5053 and ZL5053 and ZL5055

Availabilities
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 28-Aug-2009
Coordinator:	Dr Richard Rowe
Assessment:	presentations (10%); assessment of a minor project report by two independent examiners (80%) (80%); assessment of a proposal by two independent examiners (10%) (10%).
Townsville, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 27-Mar-2009
Coordinator:	Dr Robert Congdon, Dr Richard Rowe
Assessment:	presentations (10%); assessment of a proposal by two independent examiners (10%) (80%); assessment of a seminar by two independent examiners (10%) (10%).
Cairns, Internal, Study Period 1
Census Date 27-Mar-2009
Coordinator:	Dr Brad Congdon
Assessment:	presentations (10%); assessment of a scientific dissertation by two independent examiners (80%) (80%); assessment of a scientific proposal by two independent examiners (10%) (10%).
Cairns, Internal, Study Period 2
Census Date 28-Aug-2009
Coordinator:	Dr Brad Congdon
Assessment:	presentations (10%); assessment of a minor project by two independent examiners (80%) (80%); assessment of a proposal by two independent examiners (10%) (10%).

Note: Minor variations might occur due to the continuous Subject quality improvement process, and in case of minor variation(s) in assessment details, the Subject Outline represents the latest official information.