MARS5508: Semester 2, 2025

Units MARS5508 Semester 2 2025 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

MARS5508: Marine Research Project B

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

This unit enables students who have completed earlier coursework to design and undertake a research project related to a marine science and/or management topic under the supervision of an appropriate member of staff. The unit is suitable for students who wish to learn how to undertake and complete an original research project, as well as students from industry and government organisations who wish to undertake a project that relates to their professional environment. The research topic should be arranged between the student and supervisor and must have a coastal or marine science and/or management focus. Potential topics range from modelling coastal impacts of predicted sea level rise, equilibrium shoreline profiles and reef microborer responses to environmental variables. The project topic may involve a field or lab component, or may be entirely literature-based. The project question and research design must be structured to be completed within one fulltime semester or two part-time semesters of study, including the literature review, field work, data analysis and report writing. MARS5507 and MARS5508 do not involve formal contact hours but students are required to work on the project in a continuous manner for the entire duration of the semester in which they are enrolled.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Geosciences Academic Operations
Credit points	12
Prerequisites ?	24 credit points of Marine Science and Management core units with a 75% average or above
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	MARS5005
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Eleanor Bruce, eleanor.bruce@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
Portfolio or journal	Project proposal Research project proposal	10%	Week 04 Due date: 29 Aug 2025 at 23:59	1 page	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	Full draft report Draft research project report	0%	Week 12 Due date: 31 Oct 2025 at 23:59	Full draft (<8,000 words)	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Seminar Research project seminar	10%	Week 13 Due date: 04 Nov 2025 at 11:00	10-15 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	Research project report Research project report	80%	Week 13 Due date: 07 Nov 2025 at 23:59	<8,000 words	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Project proposal: A one page project proposal briefly outlining the research aims, rationale, methods, data requirements and expected outcomes should be submitted to your supervisor.
Final report: The report length should be less than 15,000 words (including reference list and appendices). In consultation with the supervisor, students may prepare their report as a scholarly manuscript based on the formatting guidelines of a relevant scientific journal. Reports should include an abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion and conclusion sections. However, the structure may vary depending on the research topic and submission format.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (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.

For further information see Guide to grades - The University of Sydney

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.

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
Week 04	Research Proposal	Independent study (40 hr)
Week 13	Final Seminar	Independent study (30 hr)
Week 14 (STUVAC)	Independent study on research project under guidance of supervisor	Independent study (240 hr)

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. complete an independent investigation on a marine or coastal research topic of interest
LO2. critically review existing knowledge and contextualise the research problem
LO3. identify a research question that addresses a gap in the current state of knowledge in this field
LO4. understand the process involved in developing a rigorous research design relevant to the identified problem
LO5. apply appropriate analytical methods and prepare a fluent and well-presented dissertation

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.

The research proposal and seminar have been added to learning activities.

Additional information

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.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory
As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

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

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

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Useful links