Course Title: Science Mentored Research Placement 2

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Science Mentored Research Placement 2

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

ONPS1665

City Campus

Undergraduate

135H Applied Sciences

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2015,
Sem 1 2016,
Sem 2 2016

ONPS1665

City Campus

Undergraduate

171H School of Science

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2017,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 1 2021,
Sem 1 2022,
Sem 2 2022,
Sem 1 2023,
Sem 2 2023

Course Coordinator: Assoc. Prof. Tamar Greaves

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 9556

Course Coordinator Email: tamar.greaves@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 14.6.12

Course Coordinator Availability: Please email to make an appointment.


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Assumed Knowledge

The course is designed for an upper year level student who has the foundation of a successful first year program.


Course Description

Independent Study is designed to allow the upper year level student to observe and participate in one or more current research projects within the School of Applied Sciences, under the direction of a staff mentor. The projects can be internal or external to RMIT. The student’s task will be defined by the staff member or researcher and agreed on by the student and course coordinator at the beginning of the course. It may consist of the student either observing and reporting on one or more research projects, or by carrying out work that contributes to a current research project.

The aims, scope, methodology and expected outcomes of the task must be defined in a proposal written by the student under the direction of the course coordinator at the beginning of the course. The success of the task will be weighed against the proposal. If appropriate, the student’s contribution will also be assessed by their mentor.

This course includes a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) experience in which your knowledge and skills are applied and assessed in a real or simulated workplace context and where feedback from industry and/or community is integral to your experience.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course contributes to the following Program Learning Outcomes for the BSc(Dean’s Scholar)(Hons) program (BH101) at AQF Level 7:

PLO-1.1 You will demonstrate an understanding of the scientific method and an ability to apply the scientific method in practice.

PLO-2.1 You will have broad knowledge in your chosen discipline.


At the conclusion of this course you should be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of the way that the scientific method is applied in the context of a specific research project within the School of Applied Sciences
  2. Summarise the background, aims, methodology and expected outcomes of the research project
  3. Demonstrate a grasp of the scientific principles involved in the research project
  4. Summarise the implications of the research project for its field of specialization and for society generally
  5. Report on your contribution to the research project


Overview of Learning Activities

This course is primarily project-based. It is expected that the student will be in direct contact with the staff member or project leader for a minimum of one hour per week. The remainder of the time will be spent in direct activities related to the project. This may include library research, field and/or laboratory work, attending group meetings and discussions with postgraduate, postdoctoral and senior researchers etc. Activities may be on or off campus.


Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.


Overview of Assessment

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Student’s activity proposal
Weighting 20%
This supports  CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 4

Assessment Task 2: Student’s final report
Weighting 40%
This supports  CLOs 1, 3 & 5

Assessment Task 3: Mentor’s assessment of student’s contribution
Weighting 30%
This supports  CLOs 1 & 3

Assessment Task 4: Student’s oral presentation to class (assessed by coordinator)
Weighting 10%
This supports  CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4 & 5

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.