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Unit of study_

PLAN9076: Transport Capstone

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal evening] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Transport Capstone is the capstone unit for the Master of Transport which allows students from different disciplines to select a real-world project aligning with their professional interests. Students will interrogate and explore an existing transport problem/challenge using the skills and knowledge learned throughout the degree plus their disciplinary expertise. Leveraging of a topical transport theme, students will learn how to formulate a compelling transport based 'proposition' which they will explore throughout the semester in an integrated cross-disciplinary manner and using basic research methods and analytical skils. Building on units completed, students will develop and apply abilities and skills in project identification, research investigation and interpretation, conceptual development and presentation that enables them to prepare possible strategies, concepts plans, policies and recommendations in a professional and creditable manner. This is group and individual work with the main output being a professional practice report.

Unit details and rules

Unit code PLAN9076
Academic unit Urban and Regional Planning and Policy
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
48 credit points with at least 36 credit points from ARCH9100, CIVL5702, CIVL5703, CIVL5704, ITLS5100, ITLS5200, ITLS6102, PLAN9064
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Nancy Marshall, nancy.marshall@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Nancy Marshall, nancy.marshall@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Final Report
Professionally designed and written final Urban Report
50% STUVAC
Due date: 01 Jun 2022 at 18:00

Closing date: 01 Jun 2022
5,000 - 10,000 words depending on Report
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Project Proposal
research design and project development
15% Week 03
Due date: 09 Mar 2022 at 18:00

Closing date: 09 Mar 2022
~1500 words in the Template handed out
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Progress Report
First 2500 words and design of your Urban Report
25% Week 07
Due date: 06 Apr 2022 at 18:00

Closing date: 06 Apr 2022
~2500
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Presentation Final Presentation
Oral Presentation
10% Week 12
Due date: 18 May 2022 at 18:00

Closing date: 18 May 2022
5 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2

Assessment summary

Project Proposal: Students will use a written template to propose a research topic and question.

Progress Report: Students will submit the first 2500 words of their report (Introduction and Literature Review).

Final Presentation: Students will present on the results and reflections of their capstsone process.

Final Report: The urban report is to be approximately 5,000-10,000 words, plus references and any appendices.

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.

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.

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:

Late penalties apply as per ADP policies

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
Week 01 Unit Introduction + Capstone Curriculum Mapping Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3
Week 02 The Beginning: Capstone Process and Types of Projects Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 03 Framing Research + Why Theorise? Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 The Middle: Literature Reviews Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 05 Methods + Ethics Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 06 Supervision Meetings Independent study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 07 Professional Writing + Expert Research Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Week 08 Supervision Meetings Independent study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 The End: Industry standards + Report Design Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 10 Supervision Meetings Independent study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 11 Supervision Meetings Independent study (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 12 Project Presentations Presentation (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Professional Practice Panel Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

It is expected that you will attend all sessions on Zoom and meet with your Supervisor as per the scheduled. 

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 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

There is no presribed texts. All students will be undertaking independent research and reading theoretical and practical documents relevant to your own topic.

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. Demonstrate from the scholarly literature and reflection on concepts applied in professional practice a depth of cross-disciplinary knowledge and skills in the fields of transport planning, systems, engineering, management, as well as knowledge of developments in public policy.
  • LO2. Critically evaluate and analyse various sources of multi-disciplinary knowledge and professional practice so as to contribute to teams of planners, designers, and transport managers.
  • LO3. Apply well-developed skills and knowledge to understand and interpret theoretical knowledge relative to strategic planning and design, public transport scheduling and operations, transport-land use interaction, and related public policies.
  • LO4. Explain fundamental modes of inquiry and methods applicable to interrogating transport systems analysis, data analytics, planning, design, and implementation.
  • LO5. Identify the key stakeholders involved in transportation system provision, their motives, development aspirations, contextual settings, and the rules, regulations, and governance in urban transportation networks that are relevant to each stakeholder.
  • LO6. Synthesise knowledge of cross-disciplinary transport design strategies, concepts, systems, plans and solutions and present this information using professional writing and graphic skills.

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.

Harvard Referencing is expected in all written work. 

Site visit guidelines

There are no site visits included in this unit. Students may visit sites relevant to your topic of Covid safe.

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.