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Unit of study_

DENR3901: Denison Research

Intensive February, 2021 [Block mode] - Camden, Sydney

Enrolment into DENR3901 offers 2000- and 3000-level students the opportunity to work on real world scientific problems. This unit of study exposes students to a variety of research opportunities and provides an insight into research process while working alongside our leading scientific researchers. Research projects are available in most disciplines for a duration of between 4-6 weeks and are awarded through a Scholarship selection process based on academic merit. The unit of study is open to both current University of Sydney students as well as students from other Australian Universities.

Unit details and rules

Unit code DENR3901
Academic unit Science Faculty
Credit points 0
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator John O'Byrne, john.obyrne@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation Project presentation
Most supervisors will ask students to present a brief talk on their project
0% - 5-10 minutes minimum
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO6 LO4
Assignment Project report
An alternative to an oral presentation, may be a brief written report
0% - 1 page minimum
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO6
Participation Attendance with research group
Participate in the research project
0% Weekly 4 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

  • Attendance with research group: This is simply a requirement to work for the 4 week period, meeting reasonable attendance requirements set by the research group (e.g. university shutdown period and public holidays off).
  • Project presentation: Most supervisors will ask their students to present a brief talk on their project to their research group. A minimum of 5-10 minutes is expected, although your supervisor may request a longer talk.
  • Project report: As an alternative to an oral presentation, a supervisor may request a brief written report. A minimum length of 1 page is expected, although your supervisor may request a longer report.

Further information for each assessment should be requested from your project supervisor.

Assessment criteria

A final result for the unit will be returned as a grade only - SR = satisfied requirements, or FR = failed requirements.  These assessment requirements should be completed by 26 February, just before the start of semester 1.

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
Ongoing 4 week research project with the structure determined by the research group Project (140 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

You are required to attend the normal location(s) where the research is carried out for the period of the project (4 weeks), as ageed with your supervisor.

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.

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. apply scientific concepts and knowledge to develop models and solve qualitative and quantitative problems for a research group, using appropriate mathematical and computing techniques as necessary
  • LO2. find and analyse information and data necessary for a task and judge its reliability and significance
  • LO3. understand and apply the principles of scientific measurement necessary to gather data necessary for a task
  • LO4. organise and communicate scientific and technical information appropriately through day-to-day interactions and oral and written reporting
  • LO5. engage in team and group work in pursuing the objectives of research group
  • LO6. demonstrate a sense of responsibility, independence, cultural competence and ethical behaviour as a practising scientist in a work environment.

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.

Due to changes to the dates of Semester 2, 2020 and current physical distancing requirements, the Science Summer Research program is changing for 2020-21, compared to previous years.

Site visit guidelines

‘There are no site visit guidelines for this unit, unless required for your project and specified by your supervisor.

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

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.