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Unit of study_

CIVL5222: Dissertation A

Semester 1, 2020 [Supervision] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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

Unit code CIVL5222
Academic unit Civil Engineering
Credit points 12
Prohibitions
? 
CIVL5020 OR CIVL5021 OR CIVL5022
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Gwenaelle Proust, gwenaelle.proust@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Honours thesis Thesis
80% - N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Presentation Progress Report/Presentation
20% Multiple weeks N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO4 LO3

Assessment summary

  • Project Description: A one page project description describing the research to be undertaken during the full project.
  • Progress Report: A research plan and progress report is required from each student. Should include problem/task specification, literature survey, proposed methodology, expected outcomes, progress in first semester and proposed timeline.
  • Mini-presentation: A video to be uploaded in CANVAS explaining the project and the progress made during the first semester
  • Presentation/Seminar: Each student will be required to participate in an individual oral and poster presentations. Presentations will be scheduled in parallel sessions according to field of specialisation. Poster should be printed on an A1 page and summarise the groups`s research work, including the main conclusions. Participation in presentations is compulsory. Failure to deliver a scheduled seminar will result in a fail grade for the thesis units.
  • Thesis: Two hard-bound copies of the Thesis should be submitted for marking to the school administration office by end of Week 13, Semester 2. Statement identifying the specific contributions of the student and others must be included. The Thesis must contain a page stating the specific contributions of the student and that of others involved. While the thesis project work is conducted in groups, the final thesis itself must be written and submitted individually. Students should closely consult Thesis Guidelines handout and Thesis Marking Sheet for content and formatting requirements.

 

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 weekly meeting with supervisor and independent work on research project. Individual study (8 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

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 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 and plan a personal research project
  • LO2. employ originality, ingenuity and initiative in dealing with critical research issues
  • LO3. demonstrate an in-depth knowledge of a specialised area within the discipline
  • LO4. devise an appropriate research method
  • LO5. analyse raw data, draw appropriate conclusions and present those conclusions in context, with due consideration of methods and assumptions involved
  • LO6. document and report research work undertaken in a format appropriate for academic literature
  • LO7. deliver a research presentation that is clear, confident and engaging to an academic audience.

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.

Additional assessment tasks

Disclaimer

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