University of Sydney Handbooks - 2017 Archive

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Environmental Systems (Honours)

Unit of study table

Unit of study Credit points A: Assumed knowledge P: Prerequisites C: Corequisites N: Prohibition Session
The Honours Year will have the following 48 credit point structure:
AFNR4101
Research Project A
12    P 144 credit points of level 1000-3000 units of study
Semester 1
ENSY4001
Scientific Method and Communication
6    C AFNR4101
N AFNR5904 or AFNR5901
Semester 1
AFNR4102
Research Project B
12    P AFNR4101
Semester 2
And 18 credit points of Year 3 Bachelor of Environmental Systems core units, and elective units from either Table ATS2 or Table NTS2 which have not been previously completed by the candidate and or any other Level 4XXX unit offered by the Faculty subject to Department permission.

Unit of study descriptions

The Honours Year will have the following 48 credit point structure:
AFNR4101 Research Project A

Credit points: 12 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Stephen Cattle Session: Semester 1 Classes: No formal classes, approx. 18h per week Prerequisites: 144 credit points of level 1000-3000 units of study Assessment: Research proposal, literature review. Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit aims to develop a student's ability to undertake a major research project in an area of specialization. The unit builds on theoretical and applied knowledge gained across most of the units of study undertaken throughout their degree program. This unit is a corequisite with AFNR4102 and each student will work with an academic supervisor in an area of specialization and develop a well defined research project to be executed. The research project is undertaken to advance the students ability to build well-developed research skills, a strong analytical capacity, and the ability to provide high quality research results demonstrating a sound grasp of the research question. Working with an academic supervisor students will develop their ability to define a research project including the producing of testable hypotheses, identifying existing knowledge from reviewing the literature and the design and execution of a research strategy towards solving the research question. Students will build on their previous research and inquiry skills through sourcing a wide range of knowledge to solve the research problem and enhance their intellectual and personal autonomy by means of the development of experimental programs. Students will improve their written and planning skills by composing a research project proposal and the writing of a comprehensive literature review.
ENSY4001 Scientific Method and Communication

Credit points: 6 Teacher/Coordinator: Dr Damien Field Session: Semester 1 Classes: 1 Lec/wk, 1 (3hr) Workshop/wk Corequisites: AFNR4101 Prohibitions: AFNR5904 or AFNR5901 Assessment: Submission of 4 written Workshop reports (Deconstructing a research proposal, Critique of Scientific and Popular Article, From research to publication, Scientific Poster (Draft)) (4x25%) Practical field work: 60 hrs preparation for workshops and revision. Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit of study aims to develop a student's ideas about the nature of scientific research, and how it is achieved and the findings communicated. Through attending lectures and workshops students will consider what research is and how it is directed through knowing the scientific method, achieved through good experimental design, and interpreted using critical evaluation. Students will be required to deconstruct and evaluate their research proposals, know what it means to write for the sciences, and how research findings are communicated to the scientific community and wider public. This unit will develop skills in reading scientific literature and the need for a well defines research question and suitable research framework. Students will enhance their intellectual and personal autonomy through evaluating and preparing critiques of research writing and communication.
Textbooks
Bjorn Gustavii, HOW TO WRITE AND ILLUSTRATE A SCIENTIFIC PAPER, 2008, Cambridge
AFNR4102 Research Project B

Credit points: 12 Teacher/Coordinator: A/Prof Stephen Cattle Session: Semester 2 Classes: No formal classes, approx. 18h per week Prerequisites: AFNR4101 Assessment: Oral presentation, research paper, poster. Mode of delivery: Normal (lecture/lab/tutorial) day
This unit is a continuation of the major research project initiated in AFNR4101 and continues to build on theoretical and applied knowledge gained across most of the units of study undertaken throughout their degree program. Working with their academic supervisor in the area of specialization the student will continue to pursue the defined research project towards presenting final results and conclusions. The research results are presented in a format of a research paper as submitted to a research journal. The research paper and corrected literature review is combined and presented together as a thesis. Students will continue to build their research skills, develop strong analytical capacity, demonstrate a sound grasp of the topic, and an ability to interpret results in a broad framework. Working with an academic supervisor students will develop their ability to produce results of high quality, draw reliable conclusions and identify future areas avenues of research. Students will build on their previous research and inquiry skills through sourcing a wide range of knowledge to solve the research problem and enhance their intellectual and personal autonomy by means of the managing the research program. Students will improve their communication skills through oral presentation of their research findings, the production of a poster detailing their research findings and the writing of a research paper.
And 18 credit points of Year 3 Bachelor of Environmental Systems core units, and elective units from either Table ATS2 or Table NTS2 which have not been previously completed by the candidate and or any other Level 4XXX unit offered by the Faculty subject to Department permission.