STB403-2 Honours Research Project 2
To view more information for this unit, select Unit Outline from the list below. Please note the teaching period for which the Unit Outline is relevant.
| Unit code: | STB403-2 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,164 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $4,968 |
| International unit fee | $5,664 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2025, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | STB403-2 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Coordinator: | Melody de Laat | melody.delaat@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This is the capstone unit for the Science Honours degree that aims to draw together, and build upon, the theory, practice and discipline fundamentals that have been covered in your Bachelor degree. In this unit you will acquire the knowledge and skills essential to engaging with and conducting research, so that you may execute, complete and present your research or industry project. Initially, this unit introduces you to the research process, project planning and management, and methodologies used in science. You will then apply your knowledge to a discipline-related issue or problem and carry out an independent and in-depth study that will provide the opportunity to extend and broaden your understanding of your chosen research topic. You will be required to relate the project work to published work in your field of study. This unit will prepare you for your transition to the scientific workplace, and in particular, a career in research.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Demonstrate responsibility for the planning, prioritising and management a research project, yourself and your relationship with your supervisor/s and others by working in inclusive, respectful and constructive ways.
- Apply technical, information processing and organisational skills in planning your research while demonstrating independent collection, evaluation, analysis, review and synthesis of data and information in a research project in a discipline-related context.
- Employ logic and sound judgement for informed decision-making and identifying evidence-based solutions for complex problems.
- Communicate your knowledge of your area of research, the advances within your research domain and its relationship to other research areas, to diverse audiences, including your peers.
- Reflect on your research and project management practices relevant to academic and professional practice and network with peers and researchers for professional and career purposes.
Content
This unit will include aspects of research design, research methodology, project management, discipline knowledge, data analysis, report writing, and presentation.
The project is an integrated research exercise wherein you will execute independent research and document it by means of a written thesis in a style commensurate with the field. A conference will take place towards the end of the unit and you will be provided with the opportunity to deliver either an oral or poster presentation of your research.
Depending on the project topic, specific content of the unit may include:
• Research philosophy and practicalities
• Purpose of a literature review in the research process
• Synthesis of your research with the discipline literature
• Data collection and analysis specific to the research field
• Problem solving
• Writing, editing and presenting your research
• Learning from feedback: critical reflection and seeking ways to improve your performance and achieve research excellence
• Ethics, health and safety and professional integrity
• Delivering research projects and results on time and effectively
• Networking as a process for connecting to a research community.
Learning Approaches
Research Project is a unit in which students are required to conduct independent research under the guidance of a supervisor, with whom they are expected to maintain regular contact. Learning activities for this unit may also include: lectures, workshops, networking events, meeting with lecturers, librarians and researchers, independent study around investigating literature, and developing academic writing skills. You will be provided with resources which will include templates and suggestions for beginning to draw together a portfolio of your research activities and learning. The ongoing use of study groups and collaborative working models for support and reciprocal learning is encouraged and can be included in the research journal. You will keep your research journals up to date as you continue to monitor and manage the research and project implementation process.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will receive ongoing feedback on your work. Feedback, both structured and unstructured, will be delivered in both formative and summative ways. The types of feedback will include peer-to-peer learning, feedback from your project supervisor and feedback from the unit coordinator. Feedback will be provided in both oral and written formats. Feedback from staff with experience in the research discipline is also given during some assessment items including the literature review seminar, poster and viva.
Assessment
Overview
In STB403 (1-6) you will undertake a substantial research project. You will demonstrate your ability to meet the learning outcomes in five assessment tasks positioned at appropriate stages.
Early in your Honours program as part of your enrolment in STB403 (1-3), you will complete a written review of literature relating to your project and present your research plan in an oral presentation. You will also be required to complete a research integrity quiz to demonstrate a satisfactory level of engagement in research training.
In your final semester of study as part of your enrolment in STB403 (4-6), you will draw your research together and present your results in a written document as well as a poster/oral presentation to an audience of scientists and peers. Finally, you will have an opportunity to engage in discussion about your research project with your supervisor and other teaching staff to defend your findings and reflect on the challenges, and future directions, of your work.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale and S (Satisfactory) / U (Unsatisfactory)
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Research Integrity Quiz
This is a threshold assessment that follows completion of an online module to enable you to acknowledge that you are aware of basic research competencies, including responsible data collection and storage, Indigenous perspectives, intellectual property, workplace health and safety and collegiality.
Threshold Assessment:
Awareness and engagement in research integrity is essential in all research environments. This assessment task does not contribute towards your grade but is a threshold assessment which must be completed satisfactorily to pass the unit. You must achieve 80% in the online quiz that occurs at the completion of the online module in research integrity. You may take the quiz as many times as you like until you achieve 80%.
Assessment: Literature Review
This will comprise a Literature Review (written) and research plan (oral presentation).
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Thesis (research)
A substantial body of work that will usually be presented in the form of a thesis/manuscript that could be submitted to a peer reviewed science journal.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Poster Presentation
You will submit an Abstract to a conference committee prior to a presentation which will be either an oral presentation or a poster presentation on your research project given to an audience of scientists/peers.
The late submission period does not apply and no assignment extensions are available.
Assessment: Viva or Critical Reflection
Your will complete one of the following as a final assessment item. Your discipline coordinator will inform you which assessment item is required.
Viva: A 15-20 minute oral assessment. This assessment is discussion based and takes the form of an interview. The panel, which might include any of the following: course coordinator, unit coordinator, thesis examiner, project supervisor, will ask questions based on your thesis and your research journey.
OR
Critical Reflection: A 15-20 minute oral assessment. Compile your ongoing project management processes, decision resolution models, comments and responses from research draft/presentation and reflections as a critical researcher into a journal or laboratory notebook throughout the semester. Engage in discussion about your research project with your supervisor and other teaching staff to defend your findings and reflect on the challenges, and future directions, of your work.
The late submission period does not apply and no assignment extensions are available.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
There is no prescribed text for this unit. You will be directed to a range of resource material that will be related to your discipline and the process involved in academic research and writing.
Personal Protective Equipment will vary according to the type of research to be conducted.
Risk Assessment Statement
If you undertake a project, either individually or in a group, you may in conjunction with your QUT project supervisor, be required to complete and submit a Risk Assessment of your project activities in the Faculty of Science Health and Safety (HSE) hub. For further information go to Health, safety and environment for research students - QUT Students.
Additionally, if you undertake an industry project, either individually or in a group, you must ensure that the QUT project partner agreement is completed, respect confidentiality, be aware of any intellectual property requirements for the project and comply with workplace health and safety requirements, (either at QUT or at worksite). For further information please refer to the Work Integrated Learning - QUT Students webpage.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.ST10 Bachelor of Science (Honours)
- Demonstrate an advanced level of knowledge in one or more discipline area(s) and knowledge of research methods, principles and practices.
Relates to: ULO2, Literature Review, Thesis (research), Poster Presentation, Viva or Critical Reflection - Solve complex problems by demonstrating and applying advanced knowledge and skills in scientific principles, concepts and techniques, with scientific rigour
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Literature Review, Thesis (research), Poster Presentation, Viva or Critical Reflection - Effectively use a range of communication skills to produce a set of research outputs both individually and collaboratively.
Relates to: ULO4, Literature Review, Thesis (research), Poster Presentation, Viva or Critical Reflection - Demonstrate professional reflective practices and accountability in scholarship and the research process including awareness of ethical and cultural responsibility.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, ULO5, Research Integrity Quiz, Literature Review, Thesis (research), Poster Presentation, Viva or Critical Reflection
Unit Outline: Semester 2 2025, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | STB403-2 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
Overview
This is the capstone unit for the Science Honours degree that aims to draw together, and build upon, the theory, practice and discipline fundamentals that have been covered in your Bachelor degree. In this unit you will acquire the knowledge and skills essential to engaging with and conducting research, so that you may execute, complete and present your research or industry project. Initially, this unit introduces you to the research process, project planning and management, and methodologies used in science. You will then apply your knowledge to a discipline-related issue or problem and carry out an independent and in-depth study that will provide the opportunity to extend and broaden your understanding of your chosen research topic. You will be required to relate the project work to published work in your field of study. This unit will prepare you for your transition to the scientific workplace, and in particular, a career in research.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Demonstrate responsibility for the planning, prioritising and management a research project, yourself and your relationship with your supervisor/s and others by working in inclusive, respectful and constructive ways.
- Apply technical, information processing and organisational skills in planning your research while demonstrating independent collection, evaluation, analysis, review and synthesis of data and information in a research project in a discipline-related context.
- Employ logic and sound judgement for informed decision-making and identifying evidence-based solutions for complex problems.
- Communicate your knowledge of your area of research, the advances within your research domain and its relationship to other research areas, to diverse audiences, including your peers.
- Reflect on your research and project management practices relevant to academic and professional practice and network with peers and researchers for professional and career purposes.
Content
This unit will include aspects of research design, research methodology, project management, discipline knowledge, data analysis, report writing, and presentation.
The project is an integrated research exercise wherein you will execute independent research and document it by means of a written thesis in a style commensurate with the field. A conference will take place towards the end of the unit and you will be provided with the opportunity to deliver either an oral or poster presentation of your research.
Depending on the project topic, specific content of the unit may include:
• Research philosophy and practicalities
• Purpose of a literature review in the research process
• Synthesis of your research with the discipline literature
• Data collection and analysis specific to the research field
• Problem solving
• Writing, editing and presenting your research
• Learning from feedback: critical reflection and seeking ways to improve your performance and achieve research excellence
• Ethics, health and safety and professional integrity
• Delivering research projects and results on time and effectively
• Networking as a process for connecting to a research community.
Learning Approaches
Research Project is a unit in which students are required to conduct independent research under the guidance of a supervisor, with whom they are expected to maintain regular contact. Learning activities for this unit may also include: lectures, workshops, networking events, meeting with lecturers, librarians and researchers, independent study around investigating literature, and developing academic writing skills. You will be provided with resources which will include templates and suggestions for beginning to draw together a portfolio of your research activities and learning. The ongoing use of study groups and collaborative working models for support and reciprocal learning is encouraged and can be included in the research journal. You will keep your research journals up to date as you continue to monitor and manage the research and project implementation process.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will receive ongoing feedback on your work. Feedback, both structured and unstructured, will be delivered in both formative and summative ways. The types of feedback will include peer-to-peer learning, feedback from your project supervisor and feedback from the unit coordinator. Feedback will be provided in both oral and written formats. Feedback from staff with experience in the research discipline is also given during some assessment items including the literature review seminar, poster and viva.
Assessment
Overview
In STB403 (1-6) you will undertake a substantial research project. You will demonstrate your ability to meet the learning outcomes in five assessment tasks positioned at appropriate stages.
Early in your Honours program as part of your enrolment in STB403 (1-3), you will complete a written review of literature relating to your project and present your research plan in an oral presentation. You will also be required to complete a research integrity quiz to demonstrate a satisfactory level of engagement in research training.
In your final semester of study as part of your enrolment in STB403 (4-6), you will draw your research together and present your results in a written document as well as a poster/oral presentation to an audience of scientists and peers. Finally, you will have an opportunity to engage in discussion about your research project with your supervisor and other teaching staff to defend your findings and reflect on the challenges, and future directions, of your work.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale and S (Satisfactory) / U (Unsatisfactory)
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Research Integrity Quiz
This is a threshold assessment that follows completion of an online module to enable you to acknowledge that you are aware of basic research competencies, including responsible data collection and storage, Indigenous perspectives, intellectual property, workplace health and safety and collegiality.
Threshold Assessment:
Awareness and engagement in research integrity is essential in all research environments. This assessment task does not contribute towards your grade but is a threshold assessment which must be completed satisfactorily to pass the unit. You must achieve 80% in the online quiz that occurs at the completion of the online module in research integrity. You may take the quiz as many times as you like until you achieve 80%.
Assessment: Literature Review
This will comprise a Literature Review (written) and research plan (oral presentation).
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Thesis (research)
A substantial body of work that will usually be presented in the form of a thesis/manuscript that could be submitted to a peer reviewed science journal.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Poster Presentation
You will submit an Abstract to a conference committee prior to a presentation which will be either an oral presentation or a poster presentation on your research project given to an audience of scientists/peers.
The late submission period does not apply and no assignment extensions are available.
Assessment: Viva or Critical Reflection
Your will complete one of the following as a final assessment item. Your discipline coordinator will inform you which assessment item is required.
Viva: A 15-20 minute oral assessment. This assessment is discussion based and takes the form of an interview. The panel, which might include any of the following: course coordinator, unit coordinator, thesis examiner, project supervisor, will ask questions based on your thesis and your research journey.
OR
Critical Reflection: A 15-20 minute oral assessment. Compile your ongoing project management processes, decision resolution models, comments and responses from research draft/presentation and reflections as a critical researcher into a journal or laboratory notebook throughout the semester. Engage in discussion about your research project with your supervisor and other teaching staff to defend your findings and reflect on the challenges, and future directions, of your work.
The late submission period does not apply and no assignment extensions are available.
Academic Integrity
Academic integrity is a commitment to undertaking academic work and assessment in a manner that is ethical, fair, honest, respectful and accountable.
The Academic Integrity Policy sets out the range of conduct that can be a failure to maintain the standards of academic integrity. This includes, cheating in exams, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion and contract cheating. It also includes providing fraudulent or altered documentation in support of an academic concession application, for example an assignment extension or a deferred exam.
You are encouraged to make use of QUT’s learning support services, resources and tools to assure the academic integrity of your assessment. This includes the use of text matching software that may be available to assist with self-assessing your academic integrity as part of the assessment submission process.
Breaching QUT’s Academic Integrity Policy or engaging in conduct that may defeat or compromise the purpose of assessment can lead to a finding of student misconduct (Code of Conduct – Student) and result in the imposition of penalties under the Management of Student Misconduct Policy, ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.
Resources
There is no prescribed text for this unit. You will be directed to a range of resource material that will be related to your discipline and the process involved in academic research and writing.
Personal Protective Equipment will vary according to the type of research to be conducted.
Risk Assessment Statement
If you undertake a project, either individually or in a group, you may in conjunction with your QUT project supervisor, be required to complete and submit a Risk Assessment of your project activities in the Faculty of Science Health and Safety (HSE) hub. For further information go to Health, safety and environment for research students - QUT Students.
Additionally, if you undertake an industry project, either individually or in a group, you must ensure that the QUT project partner agreement is completed, respect confidentiality, be aware of any intellectual property requirements for the project and comply with workplace health and safety requirements, (either at QUT or at worksite). For further information please refer to the Work Integrated Learning - QUT Students webpage.
Course Learning Outcomes
This unit is designed to support your development of the following course/study area learning outcomes.ST10 Bachelor of Science (Honours)
- Demonstrate an advanced level of knowledge in one or more discipline area(s) and knowledge of research methods, principles and practices.
Relates to: ULO2, Literature Review, Thesis (research), Poster Presentation, Viva or Critical Reflection - Solve complex problems by demonstrating and applying advanced knowledge and skills in scientific principles, concepts and techniques, with scientific rigour
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Literature Review, Thesis (research), Poster Presentation, Viva or Critical Reflection - Effectively use a range of communication skills to produce a set of research outputs both individually and collaboratively.
Relates to: ULO4, Literature Review, Thesis (research), Poster Presentation, Viva or Critical Reflection - Demonstrate professional reflective practices and accountability in scholarship and the research process including awareness of ethical and cultural responsibility.
Relates to: ULO1, ULO3, ULO5, Research Integrity Quiz, Literature Review, Thesis (research), Poster Presentation, Viva or Critical Reflection