Outline

Overview

During the research semester each student conducts a research project under the supervision of an academic or qualified practitioner. Research projects can include small surveys, simple bench work, literature reviews, epidemiology or clinical trials, and are carried out within the University or within the facilities of the approved external supervisor.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	NTDT5310
Academic unit	Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points	24
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	NTDT5503 and NTDT5601 and NTDT5602 and NTDT5604 and NTDT5305 and NTDT5307 and NTDT5608
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Margaret Allman-Farinelli, margaret.allman-farinelli@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Merryl Ireland, merryl.ireland@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Margaret Allman-Farinelli, margaret.allman-farinelli@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Project proposal written task Background, methods and bibliography for project	0%	Week 03	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Project proposal oral presentation Formal presentation of background and methods to project	0%	Week 04	3 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Final report oral presentation Oral presentation with questions at end of talk	15%	Week 13	10 minutes per student
Outcomes assessed:
Skills-based evaluation	Supervisor’s assessment Students critical thinking, dedication to project and scientific writing	35%	Week 14 (STUVAC)	Student is assessed on the 13 weeks
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Final report written task Written as a paper for journal submission	50%	Week 14 (STUVAC)	Up to 5000 word paper
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Project proposal written task: Students are required to submit a research project proposal containing the following: (i) Background (include relationships between your project and existing research on the topic); (ii) Aim(s); and (iii) Methods (include the study design, e.g. systematic literature review).
Project proposal oral presentation: Each student is to also prepare a maximum of 5 PowerPoint slides for a 3-minute presentation of their project proposal.
Final report written task: The final report should be written in the form of a manuscript acceptable for publication in an academic journal. Students are advised that scientific writing is time consuming and 3-4 weeks should be allocated for this task. Supervisors are to advise students as to which academic journal would be most appropriate for their project.The final report must be formatted according to the author guidelines/instructions set out by the selected journal. All pages must be numbered. Additional material, if necessary, may be presented in an appendix. It is not appropriate to use the DAA logo on slides or on written material.
Final report oral presentation: The time allowed is 8 minutes for presentation, and 2 minutes for questions. If working as a pair, 16 minutes for the talk and 4 for questions are allowed and 24 minutes for the talk and 6 for questions for the group of three students. This is an opportunity to present the main findings of the research project rather than all data, which has been collected during the semester.

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	Students in this range show performance from excellent (85-94) to exceptional (>95) and are capable of a PhD and exceed expectations for all learning outcomes
Distinction	75 - 84	The majority of MND project students will perform in ths range with very good performances but perhaps less independence and critical thinking skills than HD but excellng in a majority of competencies for the learning outcomes
Credit	65 - 74	Students in this range typically demonstrate competence and may excel in some but not all areas of research performance and unit learning outcomes
Pass	50 - 64	Students meet the learning outcomes but do not excel
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.

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction lecture	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	SLR session with librarian Monica Cooper	Seminar (3.5 hr)
Week 04	Students present their project to the UoS coordinator and the rest of the class	Lecture (3 hr)
Week 09	Scientific writing workshop	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 13	Students present their final work to the class; supervisors and unit of study coordinator	Lecture (7.5 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: All students are expected to work normal full-time working hours (i.e. 35 hours per week) Monday to Friday during semester. Any deviations from these working hours including student leave, late/early start dates, or early completion dates are at the discretion of supervisors.

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 24 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 480-600 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.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. formulate a research question and research the specific topic
LO2. collect and interpret data
LO3. gain experience in scientific journal writing
LO4. understand abstract writing for conferences
LO5. integrate data into the existing body of knowledge.

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

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	National Competency Standards for Dietitians in Australia (2015) - 3.1.1. Adopts a questioning and critical approach in all aspects of practice. 3.1.3. Applies problem-solving skills to create realistic solutions to nutrition problems or issues. 3.2.1. Identifies and selects appropriate research methods to investigate food and nutrition problems.
	National Competency Standards for Dietitians in Australia (2015) - 3.1.1. Adopts a questioning and critical approach in all aspects of practice. 3.2.1. Identifies and selects appropriate research methods to investigate food and nutrition problems. 3.2.2. Applies ethical processes to research and evaluation. 3.2.3. Collects, analyses and interprets qualitative and quantitative research and evaluation data.
	National Competency Standards for Dietitians in Australia (2015) - 3.2.2. Applies ethical processes to research and evaluation. 3.2.4. Accurately documents and disseminates research, quality improvement and evaluation findings.
	National Competency Standards for Dietitians in Australia (2015) - 3.2.2. Applies ethical processes to research and evaluation. 3.2.4. Accurately documents and disseminates research, quality improvement and evaluation findings. 4.1.4. Adapts and tailors communication appropriately for specific audiences.
	National Competency Standards for Dietitians in Australia (2015) - 3.1.1. Adopts a questioning and critical approach in all aspects of practice. 3.1.2. Gathers, critiques, uses and shares research and information to support sound decision making with key stakeholders. 3.1.3. Applies problem-solving skills to create realistic solutions to nutrition problems or issues. 3.2.1. Identifies and selects appropriate research methods to investigate food and nutrition problems. 3.2.2. Applies ethical processes to research and evaluation. 3.2.3. Collects, analyses and interprets qualitative and quantitative research and evaluation data. 3.2.4. Accurately documents and disseminates research, quality improvement and evaluation findings. 4.2.1. Shares information with and acts as a resource person for colleagues, community and other agencies.

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

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

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

NTDT5310: Nutrition Research Project

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect