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Unit outline_

IDEA9311: IDEA Research Internship

Semester 1, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit allows students to collaborate with a private partner on a project with a strong design research character. Such project would typically not be connected to the direct commercial goals, require a certain degree of risk, and necessitate a level of technical and design expertise that is not available by the private partner. The unit coordinator can choose to offer pre-approved client briefs from known external partners to interested students. Students need to submit a written project proposal, detailing the project objectives, the approach, the intended outcomes and timeline of the internship, and the agreement from the private partner. The proposal must describe how the outcomes of the internship will include design research work that has a clear relationship to the skills and knowledge taught in the MIDEA program. The project is written up into a final report, and may include evidence and documentation of Built Work.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Design Lab
Credit points 12
Prerequisites
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48 credit points including (12 credit points from IDEA9105 and IDEA9106) and (12 credit points from IDEA9202) and (any 12 credit points of the following units IDEA9103 or IDEA9201 or DESN9001 or DESN9003 or DESN9002 or DESN9004)
Corequisites
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None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Leigh-Anne Hepburn, leigh-anne.hepburn@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment AI Allowed Research proposal
Written document
10% Week 03
Due date: 12 Mar 2025 at 23:59
2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4
Oral test
? 
Interative Oral Assessment
Interactive Oral Assessment
20% Week 07
Due date: 09 Apr 2025 at 23:59
15 minutes (oral)
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment AI Allowed Research report
Written document
70% Week 13
Due date: 28 May 2025 at 23:59
5,000-8,000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Attendance hurdle task AI Allowed Attendance
In-class weekly tasks
0% Weekly Weekly
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
AI allowed = AI allowed ?

Assessment summary

  • Research proposal: The first assignment involves preparing a research proposal, describing your research topic, identification of a gap, the research aims and questions, scope, intended outcomes, annotated bibliography, research design, a timeline and risk analysis.
     
  • Interactive Oral Assessment: The second assignment involves participating in a 1:1 interactive session with a tutor to discuss how you developed your your research proposal and your peer reflections on the poster exhibition and presentations.
     
  • Research report: This is a written assignment that describes the motivating context for the research, research aims and questions, scope, literature review, research methodology/methods, results and findings, evaluation, main outcomes and knowledge contributions.
     
  • Attendance hurdle tasks: Weekly hurdle tasks are used to support attendance and contribute to a productive peer-learning environment. Hurdle tasks include in-progress presentations, poster creation and exhibition, and peer review activities.

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

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator. 

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions. 

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit. 

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply. 

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site

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.

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 2023 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 2023. 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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to design research Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2
Week 02 Design research methods and methodologies Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3
Week 04 Ethics and integrity in design research Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 05 Poster presentation and peer review Presentation (3 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 07 Interactive Oral Assessment Presentation (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Communicating your research Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 10 Research with impact Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO4 LO5
Week 12 Final project presentations Presentation (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements


  • Attendance: All Capstone research students are expected to attend all sessions of the research seminar. You must attend the compulsory sessions in Week 2 – Intro, Week 5 – Research Proposal Presentation, and Week 13 – Final Project Presentation. The aim of the Research Seminar is to provide a group environment where supervision, discussion, exchange and peer learning take place. These are complemented by weeks devoted to one-one supervision, where the student meets with their supervisor to discuss the progress of their project and receive guidance on their research. 

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 in conjunction with an industry partner
  • 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 well-formulated 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. work independently, with an ability to make independent judgements, reflect, self-evaluate and self-improve, and incorporate the guidance and 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.

Updated assignments

An industry supervisor and an academic supervisor are required for this research internship unit. The internship will need to be formalised between the student, university and company. The unit coordinator will advise on the process to follow.

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.