STB410 Advanced Techniques in Earth, Environmental and Biological Research
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: | STB410 |
|---|---|
| Prerequisite(s): | Admission to ST10 or (Admission to ST20 and completion of 288 credit points (CP)) |
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Timetable | Details in HiQ, if available |
| Availabilities |
|
| CSP student contribution | $1,192 |
| Domestic tuition unit fee | $5,364 |
| International unit fee | $5,952 |
Unit Outline: Semester 1 2026, Gardens Point, Internal
| Unit code: | STB410 |
|---|---|
| Credit points: | 12 |
| Pre-requisite: | Admission to ST10 or (Admission to ST20 and completion of 288 credit points (CP)) |
| Coordinator: | Melody de Laat | melody.delaat@qut.edu.au |
Overview
This advanced level unit offers Honours students the opportunity to undertake in-depth study on a range of advanced topics and techniques that are relevant to both research and industry work environments. The unit provides training in a range of advanced skills and knowledge necessary for the workplace, or further studies. By providing a framework to undertake advanced level coursework in your chosen discipline area, the unit aims to broaden and synthesise your knowledge, develop effective communication skills and understand methodologies essential for research. You will also learn how to formulate, evaluate and solve problems competently; as well develop skills that facilitate teamwork. The skills gained in this unit are developed and refined through activities relevant to your research topic, and are essential for you to take your place as an emerging expert in your discipline area/s. This unit complements your studies in the Honours Research Project unit, STB403.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:
- Develop advanced, in-depth knowledge of one or more topics or techniques in a discipline.
- Critically evaluate, analyse, review and synthesise complex ideas and information.
- Apply critical and creative thinking and advanced knowledge in one or more disciplines in solving real-world problems, displaying logic and sound judgement.
- Communicate in a professional and scholarly way to specialist and non-specialist audiences using written, visual and oral formats.
Content
The content of this unit will be divided into four modules.
Module 1: You will investigate strategies to effectively document and communicate your ideas, methodologies and results to the broader scientific community. This module focuses on scientific and technical writing skills that will complement your research and prepare you for engagement with industry. You will reflect on the characteristics of good scientific writing, both in general and in your own work.
Module 2: You will develop advanced data management and analytical skills relevant to research and industry that will enable you to become adept at data analysis and problem solving. This module will contain methodologies and skills relevant to the biological, earth and environmental science disciplines.
Module 3: This module will focus on critical thought in science and will expand your deeper cognitive abilities. You will learn how to critically analyse a scientific paper, assess and discuss hypothesis-based science in order to understand how a theory, paradigm or model underpins the basis for research. In addition, you will investigate proximate versus ultimate thought.
Module 4: Project management, communication and teamwork skills, along with the development of your understanding of organistional culture, will be the focus of this module. As essential graduate capabilities, these skills and knowledges will enhance your success in both gaining and excelling at industry or research employment.
Learning Approaches
The approaches to teaching and learning will typically be context based, utilising examples from contemporary research and real-world applications relevant to industry and research in the biological, earth and environmental sciences. You will be expected to meet with teaching staff, both individually and as a group, to assist and direct you towards effective learning. Learning activities for this unit may also include lectures, group-based workshops, networking events, meeting with peers, librarians and researchers, as well as independent study around investigating literature and developing your academic writing skills. Further one-on-one development of your skills with your research project supervisor will also complement your in-class learning.
Feedback on Learning and Assessment
You will gain feedback in this unit by participating in weekly discussions during face-to-face workshops with your teacher and your peers. You will also receive written feedback on your synopsis for Assessment 1, prior to submitting the final version of your synopsis.
Assessment
Overview
The assessment items will incorporate oral and written components, designed specifically to be authentic to what is typically expected in industry or research-related workplaces, as well as ensuring that the learning outcomes for this unit can be assessed.
These include analyzing a manuscript relevant to your research project, writing a technical summary of the paper (analyzing both content and meaning/study outcomes) and then presenting an analytic overview to a group of scientists and non-scientists, as would typically occur in industry or governments environments.
Unit Grading Scheme
7- point scale
Assessment Tasks
Assessment: Workbook
A compilation of a variety of artefacts that may include problem-solving tasks, presentations/discussions and/or demonstrations, written tasks, peer-assessment, critical analysis and critical reflection. You will build and develop your workbook throughout the modules such that it will be an individual piece of work that supports your individual research progress and prepares you for graduation. The workbook will also provide you with the opportunity to reflect more broadly on the unit.
This assignment is eligible for the 48-hour late submission period and assignment extensions.
Assessment: Presentation
You prepare and submit a short briefing document/technical writing piece prior to giving an oral presentation on a specific area of your research topic. The oral presentation will be given to an audience of scientists and peers. This assessment item is designed to complement your research project.
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 set for this unit.
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 for approval. 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: ULO1, ULO3, Workbook, Presentation - Solve complex problems by demonstrating and applying advanced knowledge and skills in scientific principles, concepts and techniques, with scientific rigour
Relates to: ULO2, ULO3, Workbook, Presentation - Effectively use a range of communication skills to produce a set of research outputs both individually and collaboratively.
Relates to: ULO4, Workbook, Presentation - Demonstrate professional reflective practices and accountability in scholarship and the research process including awareness of ethical and cultural responsibility.
Relates to: ULO2, Workbook, Presentation