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Unit of study_

DESN9204: Design Dissertation

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

This unit introduces students to design research methodologies and practices, including qualitative and quantitative approaches, data collection and analysis, and research protocols and procedures. If students are considering undertaking further postgraduate research study, this unit provides an opportunity to develop higher order research and analytic skills by undertaking an in-depth investigation into an issue or topic of the students' choosing. Students will produce a research proposal including the research aims, objectives, and questions of the project, a literature review of the topic being examined, the project's research methodology and methods and a project timeline. The project will be written up into a research dissertation (between 10, 000 and 15, 000 words) including, if relevant, a design component. The purpose of this unit is to develop students' research knowledge and understanding, academic writing skills and ability to present findings in a logical, structured and coherent manner.

Unit details and rules

Unit code DESN9204
Academic unit Design Lab
Credit points 12
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
IDEA9106 and 18 credit points from (DESN9003 and DESN9100) or (DESN9004 and DESN9200)
Corequisites
? 
DESN9203
Assumed knowledge
? 

DESN9001 or DESN9002

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Erez Nusem, erez.nusem@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Research proposal and presentation
A research proposal and presentation describing your topic, scope and plan.
30% Week 05 2000 words / 10 minute presentaion
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4
Presentation Final presentation
An overview of the research project, methods, analysis and findings
10% Week 13 15-25 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO4
Assignment Research dissertation
Dissertation detailing the research conducted throughout candidature.
60% Week 14 (STUVAC) 10000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Assessment summary

  • Research proposal and presentation: a research proposal and presentation describing your topic, scope and plan.
  • Final presentation​: an overview of the research project, methods, analysis and findings
  • Research dissertation: a written report formatted for publication within a journal

Assessment criteria

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.

Credit

65 - 74

Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.

Pass

50 - 64

Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.

Fail

0 - 49

Work that does not demonstrate satisfactory achievement of one or more of the learning outcomes assessed

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.

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:

5% penalty per day late for assignments. Failure to present oral assignments will result in a mark of 0%.

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

Attendance and class requirements

Please refer to the Resolutions of the University School: http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/architecture/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml

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. Plan, scope and manage an independent research-based project
  • LO2. Critically engage with published scholarship and trusted sources of data to identify gaps and contributions in knowledge
  • LO3. Select and apply appropriate research methods to answer research questions
  • LO4. Communicate persuasively through diverse forms of media the value and validity of design research proposals, findings and solutions to specialist and non-specialist audiences
  • LO5. Able to work independently, with an ability to make independent judgements, reflect, self-evaluate and self-improve, and incorporate the feedback of others

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.

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

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.