Minor Research Project
Duration
- One Semester or equivalent
Contact hours
- 48 Hours
On-campus unit delivery combines face-to-face and digital learning.
2024 teaching periods
| Hawthorn Higher Ed. Semester 1 |
Hawthorn Higher Ed. Semester 2 | |
|---|---|---|
Dates: Results: Last self enrolment: Census: Last withdraw without fail: |
Dates: Results: Last self enrolment: Census: Last withdraw without fail: |
Prerequisites
37.5 Credit PointsAims and objectives
Unit Learning Outcomes (ULO)
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
1. Investigate a research or technical problem with confidence and commitment in an unstructured environment.
2. Demonstrate skills in undertaking critical review of relevant literature and designing clear and well-justified research questions, aims and experimental design.
3. Apply theoretical knowledge and practical skills, by selecting and applying appropriate laboratory and/or computer techniques to address the research questions.
4. Take initiatives and responsibility, and demonstrate problem solving skills, safe laboratory work, independence of thought and interpretation.
5. Demonstrate the skills of planning and conducting the project work, thorough record keeping, and effective communication with the project partner(s), laboratory staff and project supervisor(s) at all stages.
6. Critical analysis and interpretation of results, and submitting high quality, well-structured written reports and/or multimedia presentations to peers.
Unit information in detail
- Teaching methods, assessment, general skills outcomes and content.
Teaching methods
*Scheduled face to face: Laboratory Work (48 hours)
*Scheduled synchronous online Learning events - N/A
Non-scheduled online learning events and activities - N/A
Other non-scheduled learning events and activities including independent study (approx. 102 hours)
Assessment
| Types | Individual or Group task | Weighting | Assesses attainment of these ULOs |
| Project Proposal | Group | 5-10% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Research skills, problem solving | Group | 20-25% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Project Workbook | Individual | 5-10% | 1,2,3,4 |
| Seminar Presentation(s) | Group | 15-20% | 4,5,6 |
| Written Report | Individual | 35-45% | 2,3,4,5,6 |
As the minimum requirements of assessment to pass a unit and meet all Unit Learning Outcomes to a minimum standard, a student must achieve:
(i) an aggregate mark of 50% or more, and
(ii) must complete a minimum of 80% of laboratory work based on the criteria for
successful completion as explained in the lab handout(s), and
(iii) obtain at least 40% of the possible marks for the above laboratory hurdle.
Students who do not successfully achieve hurdle requirement (ii) and (iii) in full, will receive a maximum of 44% as the total mark for the unit and will not be eligible for a conceded pass.
General skills outcomes
- Problem solving skills
- Analysis skills
- Communication skills
- Ability to tackle unfamiliar problems, and
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
Content
• Alternative nonlaboratory based approaches such as critical analysis of literature and/or computer modelling or bioinformatics analysis may be selected by a student in exceptional cases.
• Students work in pairs/small groups and are encouraged to collaborate with other students in the preparation of materials. They may work and be assessed individually in exceptional circumstances.
• Techniques or methods used range across the areas of: microbiology, molecular biology, biochemistry and chemistry, including gel electrophoresis, spectrophotometry, spectrofluorimetry, centrifugation and ultracentrifugation, column chromatography, PCR and molecular biology techniques, bioinformatics tools, computer modelling, analysis of published data.
• Projects with laboratory work may use DNA manipulation or analysis, protein purification and analysis, enzyme analysis, or a combination of these and other techniques common to the above areas.
Study resources
- References.
References
A list of reading materials will be made available in the Unit Outline