EVB304 Case Studies in Environmental Science

Unit Outline: Semester 2 2024, Gardens Point, Internal

Overview

This capstone unit requires you to think critically about an important problem in environmental science and to integrate the knowledge gained through earlier units to provide an effective solution. You will identify and research a real world environmental problem, apply your knowledge of quantitative techniques and experimental design and think critically to address the problem and provide an answer to the research question posed. Through critical analysis and reflection on your work and that of your peers, you will gain a deeper understanding of the scientific method and its application to environmental science.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit you will be able to:

1. Synthesise advanced knowledge concerning a key aspect of environmental science, including interdisciplinary understanding;
2. Apply critical reasoning, analytical and evaluation skills to the interpretation of scientific data;
3. Communication complex scientific information in written and oral forms;
4. Use effective teamwork skills to solve a scientific challenge within a set timeframe;
5. Understand and demonstrate ethical practice as applied to research

Content

Learning Approaches

This unit will employ a combination of learning approaches including face-to-face workshops and practical activities related to your project (e.g. laboratory and/or field work and/or computer analysis), to assist you in developing an appreciation of a scientific problem and a means to research this.

A series of workshops will outline the personal and professional responsibilities of practicing scientists including research project management, research integrity and core skills in research communication.

Independent literature research will provide you with scientific knowledge about specific aspects of a problem your group has chosen to investigate.

By working in a research group, you will develop a scientific approach to investigate the problem including the collection and analysis of data.

Working individually, you will prepare a project proposal and manuscript which integrates the knowledge generated and places it in the context of the environmental system.

Throughout the unit, you will engage in peer review of the work produced by your colleagues.

Feedback on Learning and Assessment

Formative assessment by peers and teaching staff will occur throughout the semester, during a series of workshops and research group meetings.

Written feedback, according to criteria, will be provided by teaching staff for written assessment.

Assessment

Overview

Assessment in this unit will be divided into three elements:

An individual project proposal will draw on knowledge gained through classes, meetings with your project supervisor and independent literature research, to describe the topic, explain its context, and outline your experimental approach.

An individual manuscript based on your group's data, will display your experimental findings and your interpretation of these results, including an explanation of their context within the broader environmental science discipline and questions for future investigation.

An oral viva voce will provide you with the opportunity to answer questions about the scientific problem your group has chosen to research, results of your scientific investigation and conclusions you have drawn, and the broader ramifications of this research.

Unit Grading Scheme

7- point scale

Assessment Tasks

Assessment: Project Proposal

You will prepare a written report which outlines your research question and its broader context, your experimental approach and research plan, including timeline and logistics. This report will be written in the style of a research proposal and will include references to relevant scientific literature.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Manuscript

You will produce a concise document that outlines the issue you have investigated, a brief and critical review of the current primary literature, your experimental approach and results, and a discussion of their relevance and implications, with reference to other published research. The content and format will follow the general style and framework of a scientific journal paper, including text, tables, figures, citations and a reference list. Your contribution to the project team will be assessed by your project supervisor.

This is an assignment for the purposes of an extension.

Assessment: Viva voce

During an oral viva voce, you will provide answers to questions about the scientific problem your group has chosen to research. You must be prepared to answer specific questions about your research hypotheses, methodology, results and interpretation, including the utility and application of your work in a broader societal context. Your contribution to teamwork will be assessed by your team members.

Academic Integrity

Students are expected to engage in learning and assessment at QUT with honesty, transparency and fairness. Maintaining academic integrity means upholding these principles and demonstrating valuable professional capabilities based on ethical foundations.

Failure to maintain academic integrity can take many forms. It includes cheating in examinations, plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, and submitting an assessment item completed by another person (e.g. contract cheating). It can also include providing your assessment to another entity, such as to a person or website.

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.

Further details of QUT’s approach to academic integrity are outlined in the Academic integrity policy and the Student Code of Conduct. Breaching QUT’s Academic integrity policy is regarded as student misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties ranging from a grade reduction to exclusion from QUT.

Resources

Risk Assessment Statement

This unit may involve fieldwork and / or laboratory work. The procedures involved are deemed to be appropriate for students at this level of the course.

In the case of laboratory work you will be provided with a Laboratory Health and Safety Manual. In the case of field work you will be provided with a list of field safety guidelines. Having been provided with this information, it is your responsibility to read and comply with these instructions for the safety of yourself, your fellow students and staff.

You will also be made aware of evacuation procedures and assembly areas in the first few workshops. In the event of a fire alarm sounding, or on a lecturer's instruction, you should leave the room and assemble in the designated area which will be indicated to you. You should be conscious of your health and safety at all times whilst on campus or in the field.