Outline

Overview

This unit forms the second and final part of a capstone experience in which the student will systematically investigate a topic to test a hypothesis under the guidance of a research advisor and peers under independent review. The unit is a logical progression from VETS6307. The cap-stone experience project will culminate in preparation of a manuscript in the style of an appropriate scientific journal. Narrative literature reviews are not acceptable.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	VETS6313
Academic unit	School of Veterinary Science Academic Operations
Credit points	3
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	VETS6101 and VETS6102 and VETS6103 and VETS6104 and VETS6105 and VETS6106 and VETS6107 and VETS6108 and VETS6201 and VETS6202 and VETS6203 and VETS6204 and VETS6205 and VETS6206 and VETS6207 and VETS6208 and VETS6307
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Michael Ward, michael.ward@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Draft manuscript Written task	20%	Week 08 Due date: 25 Sep 2022 at 23:00	6,500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Final manuscript Written task	80%	Week 12 Due date: 30 Oct 2022 at 23:00	6,500 words
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Draft manuscript: a report in dradt form on the research project undertaken in VETS6307 and VETS6313. This report is reviewed by an independent reviewer.
Final manuscriupt: the final version of a report ont he research project undertaken in VETS6307 and VETS6313, updated following reviewer’s comments. This report is evaluated by your advisor.
Assessment rubrics, submission instructions and other detailed information are published 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
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

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:

5% penalty of total mark per day late submission

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	Student-advisor meeting 1	Individual study (1 hr)
	Research	Individual study (6 hr)
	Student-advisor meeting 2	Individual study (1 hr)
	Research	Individual study (6 hr)
	Research projects	Lecture (1 hr)
Week 05	Student-advisor meeting 3	Individual study (1 hr)
Week 05	Research	Individual study (6 hr)
Week 06	Student-advisor meeting 4	Individual study (1 hr)
Week 06	Research	Individual study (6 hr)
Week 08	Student-advisor meeting 5	Individual study (1 hr)
Week 11	Student-advisor meeting 6	Individual study (1 hr)
Week 11	Research	Individual study (6 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 3 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 60-75 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. construct and critically analyse complex information, problems, concepts and theories to transmit knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences
LO2. formulate, elaborate and modify a manuscript through the peer-review process
LO3. demonstrate autonomy, expertise, judgement, adaptability, time management and responsibility for your professional conduct of your project.

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
	Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Attributes - 1. Scientific method at a level adequate to provide a rational basis for present veterinary practice, and to assimiliate the advances in knowledge which will occur over their working life 10. To collect, organise and analyse information in relation to specific problems, assessing its validity and reaching probabilistic judgements American Veterinary Medical Association - 8. ethical and professional conduct; communication skills including those that demonstrate an understanding and sensitivity to how clients’ diversity and individual circumstance can impact health care 9. critical analysis of new information and research findings relevant to veterinary medicine. European Coordination Committee for Veterinary Training (EECVT) Day One Competencies - 1.10. Use their professional capabilities to contribute to the advancement of veterinary knowledge, in order to improve the quality of animal care and veterinary public health. 1.13. Demonstrate an ability of lifelong learning and a commitment to learning and professional development. This includes recording and reflecting on professional experience and taking measures to improve performance and competence. 2.1. Understanding of, and competence in, the logical approaches to both scientific and clinical reasoning, the distinction between the two, and the strengths and limitations of each. 2.2. Research methods and the contribution of basic and applied research to veterinary science. World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Day One Competencies - 2.11. Communication skills 3.6. Research
	Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Attributes - 1. Scientific method at a level adequate to provide a rational basis for present veterinary practice, and to assimiliate the advances in knowledge which will occur over their working life 11. To perform basic diagnostic and therapeutic procedures 12. To work and communicate effectively and empathetically with colleagues and clients through a range of media with compassion, courtesy, respect, honesty and without discrimination American Veterinary Medical Association - 8. ethical and professional conduct; communication skills including those that demonstrate an understanding and sensitivity to how clients’ diversity and individual circumstance can impact health care 9. critical analysis of new information and research findings relevant to veterinary medicine. European Coordination Committee for Veterinary Training (EECVT) Day One Competencies - 1.14. Take part in self-audit and peer-group review processes in order to improve performance. World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Day One Competencies - 2.11. Communication skills 2.9. Veterinary legislation and ethics 3.6. Research
	Australasian Veterinary Boards Council Attributes - 14. Self-management and group leadership American Veterinary Medical Association - 8. ethical and professional conduct; communication skills including those that demonstrate an understanding and sensitivity to how clients’ diversity and individual circumstance can impact health care 9. critical analysis of new information and research findings relevant to veterinary medicine. European Coordination Committee for Veterinary Training (EECVT) Day One Competencies - 1.12. Demonstrate that they recognise personal and professional limits, and know how to seek professional advice, assistance and support when necessary. 1.13. Demonstrate an ability of lifelong learning and a commitment to learning and professional development. This includes recording and reflecting on professional experience and taking measures to improve performance and competence. World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Day One Competencies - 3.8. Administration and management

Responding to student feedback

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

Thank you for the many positive comments made, especially those about your project advisors and how this unit was run. Conceiving, undertaking and presenting a research project of your own is a major challenge. We were so impressed by the quality of the manuscripts submitted, and even more so by the displayed learning outcomes. The whole point of Research & Enquiry is to give you an authentic research experience so that you truly have intimate knowledge of the role research and evidence plays in modern veterinary practice. And many of you seem to have really valued the connection you made with your research advisor. We were also very pleased with your response to the end-of-semester research symposium. We would like to be able to have more presentations next year. Timetabling remains an issue. In DVM3 we need to fit into the available times around lecture- and practical-based units. But we continue to try to improve this. We would like more time for your research projects in DVM3 (even beginning earlier in DVM2), but we are constrained within the existing program. In 2020 there will be a discussion of the DVM curriculum and how it can be modified to improve learning outcomes. Ideas such as this one, raised via the USS process (as well as other methods), will be valuable inputs. This year we modified the marking scheme (at the request of the DVM program) from 100% based on the final manuscript to 20% draft and 80% final manuscript. The marks for both were positively correlated (0.33). We noticed that on average advisor marks were higher than reviewer marks (86 vs 76%). This could indicate that manuscripts improved following independent review. Having an independent reviewer replicates the real-life experience of research more closely, and this will probably be retained in 2020. However, the weighting of marks is something we are continuing to think about. Please understand, the process of organising the review of 110-130 manuscript (twice!) each year within an academic calendar is extremely difficult. Your patience with this process was appreciated. Thank you for your input to VETS6313 and all the best for DVM4!

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Q-fever vaccination and completion of the Canvas module “Zoonosis Awareness” is compulsory.

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.

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

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

VETS6313: Research and Enquiry 3B

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

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

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