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Unit of study_

BMRI5024: Research Activity 2

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

This unit of study requires students to develop over the semester an original piece of research and provides a capstone experience for those wishing to go on to further postgraduate research. This practical project is based in a research group at the Brain and Mind Centre or affiliates which deal in areas of clinical, epidemiological and fundamental neuroscience research. The 12 credit points combined of BMRI5023/BMRI5024 carry the expectation of around 3 days per week availability towards the given research project. Students will learn a variety of skills for acquisition, anlysis and presentation of data. This is a capstone unit of study requiring a great deal of independence and the production of an original piece of research scholarship. Students can also expect ample support and guidance from their supervisors and research team and are expected to integrate into their research team's enviroment.

Unit details and rules

Unit code BMRI5024
Academic unit Brain and Mind Science
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
BMRI5023
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Eryn Werry, eryn.werry@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Skills-based evaluation Supervisor evaluation
Supervisor's evaluation
20% Formal exam period n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Honours thesis Final thesis
Non-HDR thesis
45% Formal exam period 4000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Final presentation
Oral presentation with peer review marking
20% Formal exam period 10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Research contract
Research project outline
0% Week 02 1-2 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Introductory presentation
Oral presentation with peer review
15% Week 05 10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO2
Participation Mandatory progress review meeting
Meeting
0% Week 07 20 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

  • Research contract: Following consultation with supervisor, students will submit a proposal outlining the scientific goals of the study as well as outcomes related to skill development. 

  • Introductory presentation: Students will give a short oral presentation to effectively outline their research project and participate in peer review.

  • Mandatory progress review meeting: Students will have a short one-on-one meeting with a senior academic to discuss the student progress.

  • Final thesis: : Students will produce a thesis of 4000 words to report the findings from their research project.

  • Final presentation: Students will give a short oral presentation to outline the results they have achieved throughout the semester and participate in peer review.

  • Supervisor evaluation: This component of the assessment is the main supervisor’s evaluation of a student’s contribution to the research project.

Detailed information for each assessment 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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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
Multiple weeks Statistics tutorials and one-on-one consultations - optional Tutorial (12 hr) LO4 LO5
Ongoing Research Project Project (275 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 01 Introductory Meeting Online class (1.5 hr)  

Attendance and class requirements

  • Passing the course. Students must earn an average mark of at least 50% for the unit as a whole by passing their assessments.
  • Academic honesty. Academic honesty must be demonstrated in all forms of assessment. Similarity detection software (i.e. Turnitin) will be used for all submitted written work. 

Please refer to our Course Rules and Policies: https://canvas.sydney.edu.au/courses/12062/pages/course-rules-and-policies?module_item_id=666352

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 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

There are no prescribed readings for this course.

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. formulate a broad scientific question and define specific research objectives
  • LO2. employ standard research techniques in order to address specific research aims and explain the strengths and limitations of different approaches
  • LO3. assess and carry out protocols for data acquisition within the project
  • LO4. present data using appropriate figures and written language
  • LO5. apply statistical tests, qualitative analysis or integrative approaches to examine trends in data
  • LO6. interpret the projects research findings in the context of the broader field and discuss implications and limitations of the project
  • LO7. produce a written summary of the research project in the form of a mini-thesis or journal publication.

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.

See BMRI5023

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.