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Unit of study_

PMGT5860: Project Leadership Thesis A

Project Leadership Thesis A and B provide an opportunity for students to undertake a major project in a specialised area relevant to Project Leadership. Students will work individually to plan and write reports. Project Leadership Thesis can be spread over a whole year, in two successive Units of Study of 6 credits points each, Project Leadership Thesis A (PMGT5860) and Project Leadership Thesis B (PMGT5861). This particular unit of study, which must precede PMGT5861 Project Leadership Thesis B, should cover the first half of the work required for a complete thesis project. In particular, it should include almost all project planning, a major proportion of the necessary background research, and a significant proportion of the investigative or design work required of the project. Project Management Leadership Thesis A and B is aimed at providing candidates with an opportunity to develop deeper understanding of issues related to different aspects of leadership in managing projects in complex settings. This is an independent study guided by regular academic supervision as well as feedback from industry experts or advisors who would be serving on the thesis panel. Candidates would be required to bring a real world problem from their current work environment and develop rigorous analysis of the problem by summarising the existing literature and practices. Most of the work would comprise using case study, interpretative study and or action research as a methodological approach to investigate and analyse the phenomenon under investigation.

Details

Academic unit Project Management
Unit code PMGT5860
Unit name Project Leadership Thesis A
Session, year
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Semester 1, 2021
Attendance mode Supervision
Location Remote
Credit points 6

Enrolment rules

Prohibitions
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None
Prerequisites
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None
Corequisites
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None
Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff and contact details

Coordinator Lynn Crawford, lynn.crawford@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Research methodology
Methodology for conduct of research to address research question(s)
35% Formal exam period 2500 - 3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7
Assignment Literature review
Literature Review for chosen thesis topic
35% Formal exam period 3500-4000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7
Participation Writing workshop participation
Literature review and writing workshop
10% Multiple weeks 6 x 2 hour workshops
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment Research plan
Enrolment in OLEO5312 Project Management Research and research plan
10% Week 05 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO7
Presentation Seminar presentation A
Presentation of relevant literature, gap, research question & design
10% Week 12 10 minute presentation
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7

This is the first of two thesis Units.   In this first Unit, the focus is on

  • conducting a literature review on a topic agreed with your Supervisor
  • identifying a research question(s)
  • determining a theoretical framework and research methodology for addressing the research question

The second of these two Units will be assessed on the conduct of the research and the written thesis.  

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas in the Project Research Studies site in the Master by Coursework Thesis Manual for the MPM, MPPM and MPL.  

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

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

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.

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.

Special consideration

If you experience short-term circumstances beyond your control, such as illness, injury or misadventure or if you have essential commitments which impact your preparation or performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks Literature review and writing workshop Workshop (24 hr) LO1 LO2 LO6
Meetings with Supervisor One-to-one tuition (10 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Ongoing Research plan, literature review and research design for an original thesis Independent study (116 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

Attendance and class requirements

This Unit primarily involves independent study.  You will be assigned a supervisor and should plan to meet with your supervisor regularly throughout the Semester.  

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.

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. document and report research work by following a format appropriate for academic literature
  • LO2. demonstrate ability to disseminate research work accurately, informatively and constructively to both academic and non-academic audience in a professional manner
  • LO3. conceptualise the relevant theory and/or method required to address a research problem in an academic manner
  • LO4. drive a research project and take ownership in articulating, designing and planning a research project
  • LO5. employ originality, ingenuity and initiative in dealing with critical research issues
  • LO6. articulate a research question or questions and select and justify research philosophy and research methods suitable for addressing the identified research question(s)
  • LO7. demonstrate an in-depth understanding of research method(s) required to conduct a critical analysis and investigation of relevant project processes in a specific context
  • LO8. draw conclusions based on raw data analysis and refine those conclusions in context based on consideration of methods and assumptions involved

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
No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Disclaimer

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