Outline

Overview

To complete a substantial research project and successfully analyse a problem, devise appropriate experiments, analyse the results and produce a well-argued, in-depth thesis.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Credit points	12
Prerequisites ?	CHNG5222
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	ENGG5220 or ENGG5221 or CHNG5020 or CHNG5021 or CHNG5022
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Aoni Xu, aoni.xu@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Aoni Xu, aoni.xu@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Katelyn Clutterbuck, katelyn.clutterbuck@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Luis Gustavo Bezerra de Campos, luisgustavo.bezerradecampos@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Practical skill	Risk Assessment Task II - Completion of an advanced Quiz - Completion of a second Risk Assessment	6%	Week 06 Due date: 14 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 14 Sep 2025	Submission of Work	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Oral/Poster presentation Oral presentation (Semester 1) Poster presentation (Semester 2)	15%	Week 08 Due date: 28 Sep 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 28 Sep 2025	7min presentation + 2min Q&A	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Evaluation	Risk Assessment Reflection Task Students will reflect on their learnings about Risk Assessment this year	3%	Week 09 Due date: 12 Oct 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 12 Oct 2025	Short Reflection	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Dissertation or thesis	Thesis Written report	76%	Week 13 Due date: 09 Nov 2025 at 23:59 Closing date: 09 Nov 2025	60-80 pages	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Each student will be required to report on the mid-term progress or final results in their thesis/project investigations by deliverying an oral and a poster presentation to their fellow thesis students and their supervisors. Oral presentation will be scheduled in Week 13 of the first semester and the poster presentation will be scheduled in Week 8 of the second semester.

Final Thesis is an individual thesis documenting and interpreting the information compiled during the research, and to act as the vehicle for communication to the interested reader.

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 guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Failure to deliver a scheduled presentation will result in a 0 mark for this component unless prior arrangement for special consideration has been approved by the unit coordinator. Any late submission of assignments without the approval of Special Considerations will attract a 5% per day penalty of full mark.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Progressive	1. Works on project; 2. Conduct experiments; 3. Meet with supervisor to discuss progress; 4. Data collection and analysis; 5. Prepare thesis draft	Project (52 hr)
Week 01	Risk Assessment II (Feedback and Advanced Topics in Risk Assessment)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 02	Risk Assessment Case Study and Workshop	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 05	Techniques in Oral Presentation (Semester 1) or Poster Presentation (Semester 2)	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Dissertation B - Writing a Thesis	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 06	Thesis Workshop I	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 07	Thesis Workshop II	Workshop (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

- All lecture and workshop attendance is highly recommended

Study commitment: Students are expected to spend about 10 hours of research related independent study outside the specified contact periods. Progress reports are also due continuously to supervisor. Given the extended nature of the project, students should be looking to develop a piece suitable for publication.

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. formulate an appropriate method for investigating a specific engineering question
LO2. understand the importance of risk management when devising, planning and performing research tasks
LO3. formulate and plan a personal research project
LO4. document and report research work undertaken in a professional format appropriate for academic literature
LO5. deliver a research presentation that is clear, confident and engaging to an academic audience
LO6. employ originality, ingenuity and initiative in dealing with critical research issues
LO7. analyse raw data, draw appropriate conclusions and present those conclusions in context, with due consideration of methods and assumptions involved.
LO8. develop in-depth knowledge of a specialised area within the discipline

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.

Changes have been made to reflect student reviews of previous units. Staff have also been consulted where possible based on their feedback

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Before commencing on the project, students are required to complete the School Safety Briefing and Thesis Induction as well as any job-specific and local laboratory inductions.

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

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

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

CHNG5223: Dissertation B

Semester 2, 2025 [Supervision] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

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