• Class Number 9008
  • Term Code 2960
  • Class Info
  • Unit Value 3 to 24 units
  • Mode of Delivery In Person
  • COURSE CONVENER
    • Dr Rhodri Davies
  • LECTURER
    • Dr Rhodri Davies
  • Class Dates
  • Class Start Date 22/07/2019
  • Class End Date 25/10/2019
  • Census Date 31/08/2019
  • Last Date to Enrol 29/07/2019
SELT Survey Results

Honours in Geology/Earth and Marine Science is offered as an additional year of study for the Bachelor of Science program.

The principal component of the 10 months Honours course involves a research project conducted under supervision of a research scientist. In addition, students are expected to attend various workshops and seminars, do several units of coursework, write a research proposal, a progress report and present seminars on their research work. The major item of assessment is the thesis.

In addition to meeting the entry requirements defined by the College, students must have the agreement of a member of the academic staff to supervise their project, and the agreement of the Honours convener.  Students should discuss their intention to undertake an Honours project with the Honours convenor and their potential supervisors at least several months before the proposed starting date.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

  1. A solid understanding of one or more specialist fields in Earth and Marine Sciences..
  2. Demonstrate an ability to carry out high quality original research.
  3. The ability to evaluate critically technical reports and journal articles.
  4. The ability to write scientific reports at a standard suitable for publication in international refereed journals.
  5. Communicate research concepts and contexts clearly. 

Research-Led Teaching

Honours in Earth and Marine Sciences offers qualified students a first taste of research. While publishable results are not expected, every Honours student will independently investigate advanced material and engage in the process of open-ended inquiry.

The CHM/COS College Honours Handbook and timelines can be downloaded from the College forms-policies-guidlines website.

Honours students will be enrolled in a dedicated Wattle page for EMSC researchers which contains relevant resources and support materials.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

  • written comments
  • verbal comments
  • feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Other Information

Extensions to thesis (and assignment) deadlines will only be granted for health reasons or for unforeseen circumstances (i.e. that arose due to factors beyond the student’s control). Extensions will not be granted for work reasons or due to circumstances that should have been anticipated by you, the student. Extensions to thesis deadlines require careful and complete documentation of the causes and demonstration that the circumstances were beyond the control of the student. Such applications should be discussed with the supervisor, and, following this, with the Honours Convener. The Convener must approve any extension of up to two weeks. Extension of time to submit beyond two weeks after the completion date will be subject to the approval of the Deputy Dean on the recommendation of the Honours convener. Note: No application for an extension will be considered unless the Milestone Completion Form is submitted by the required due date. The Milestone Completion Form has to be submitted by the Monday prior to the thesis submission date.

Class Schedule

Week/Session Summary of Activities Assessment
1 Overview: The Earth and Marine Science Honours Thesis course is taken as a variable unit course over two consecutive semesters. Students enrol in EMSC4005 (6/12/18 units) in their first semester of enrolment and EMSC4005 (12/18/24 units) in their second Semester of enrolment. For every 6 units of enrolment, the expectation is that the student would work a minimum of 8-10 hours/week over the course of the semester. Student who are enrolled part-time or taking a reduced study load should consult the Honours convener for information about the due dates and unit distribution. It is expected that full-time Honours students enrolling in this 24 unit class will be in the second semester of candidature in the Honours program and will submit their thesis in the same semester. Thesis (80%) Seminar/Oral Presentation (20%) Milestones - please see 2019 Honours Timeline and Handbook for full details. Key dates on dedicated EMSC4005 Wattle page. Thesis Submission - 24 October 2019

Assessment Summary

Assessment task Value Due Date Return of assessment Learning Outcomes
Research Thesis 80 % 24/10/2019 15/11/2019 1,2,3,4,5
Final Research Seminar 20 % 08/11/2019 15/11/2019 2,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

To be discussed and confirmed with the Honours convenor.

There is no assessable participation requirement of this course. However, students are strongly encouraged to attend regular meetings with their supervisor.

Assessment Task 1

Value: 80 %
Due Date: 24/10/2019
Return of Assessment: 15/11/2019
Learning Outcomes: 1,2,3,4,5

Research Thesis

The major part of the project report will take the form of a research thesis, consisting of Abstract, introduction, materials and methods, results, discussion and references. The report will also include an additional evaluation section in which you will reflect on what you have learnt about doing research (Reflective component).

Detailed research project assessment criteria are available on the dedicated EMSC4005 Wattle page.

Assessment Task 2

Value: 20 %
Due Date: 08/11/2019
Return of Assessment: 15/11/2019
Learning Outcomes: 2,5

Final Research Seminar

The Final Seminar is worth 20% of the Research Project mark. The audience will comprise academic staff and students. Each student will give a talk of no more than 20 minutes that focuses on the results of their research project. The talk should be aimed at an audience with a basic understanding of Earth Science. Following the talk, the students will be required to respond to questions from the audience for up to 10 minutes. The talk will be assessed by at least two academics. The location and time of talks will be determined prior to submission of the thesis.

 

The talk will be assessed according to the following criteria:

·      Clarity of delivery.

·      Clarity and organisation of slides/visual aids.

·      Knowledge of the subject area (i.e. demonstrate that you are familiar with your field of research and know where your chosen topic fits within that area).

·      Balance and use of time (i.e. spend an appropriate amount of time on each section and complete the talk in 20 minutes or less).

·      Ability to show why your results are new and significant.

·      Ability to critically assess your findings (are the results robust; were there any weaknesses in the method; what future work is needed?).

·      Ability to respond to questions from the audience.


Detailed seminar assessment criteria are available on the dedicated EMSC4005 Wattle page.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.


The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.


The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

  • Late submission permitted. Late submission of assessment tasks without an extension are penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Students will be provided with written feedback on their theses after the final Honours marks are released.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Not permitted.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

Dr Rhodri Davies
61253643
Rhodri.Davies@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Solid Earth geophysics; mantle dynamics; thermal and thermo-chemical mantle convection; large igneous provinces, volcanic hotspots/intra-plate volcanism; mantle plumes; links between Earth's surface and its deep interior; subduction dynamics; subduction-zone magmatism; adaptive mesh numerical methods for geophysical flows.

Dr Rhodri Davies

Dr Rhodri Davies
61253643
Rhodri.Davies@anu.edu.au

Research Interests


Dr Rhodri Davies

Responsible Officer: Registrar, Student Administration / Page Contact: Website Administrator / Frequently Asked Questions