This course includes an on campus activity. Check timetable for details. Contact course convener if you are unable to travel to Canberra.
This course provides an introduction to the research methods relevant to Earth Sciences, through a series of lectures, seminars and workshops. Students learn key academic skills, and how to plan, manage, and present scientific research. It is fundamental preparation for EMSC4005 (Earth and Marine Science Honours) and EMSC4008 (Physics of the Earth Honours).
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Plan, manage and present scientific research;
- Appreciate research strategy;
- Explain the broader aspects of research and how it is conducted in the Earth Sciences;
- Communicate and debate research to and with both a peer audience and a non-specialist audience;
- Understand the principal features of a successful research proposal;
- Apply concepts from lectures and workshops to develop their own research proposal and project.
Indicative Assessment
- Research Proposal: note that this assessed component represents Milestone 1 of the Honours program. In conjunction with your supervisor, students will produce a research proposal to demonstrate understanding of the process of scholarly inquiry, in particular, that 'good' research starts with identification of an important problem or 'knowledge gap' that can be addressed realistically. A persuasive research proposal identifies a knowledge gap that must be filled, proposes a hypothesis, and subsequently suggests a series of aims and objectives to be accomplished, using appropriate methods, to address the hypothesis. (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- Poster Preparation and Presentation: prepare a poster on your research project, following guidelines provided. Present a poster at an organized poster session, alongside other students. This will teach critical thinking skills and an ability to synthesize complex ideas into a more compact framework. (30) [LO 1,4]
- Lay Description: on the same topic as that covered in the poster. Tests the ability to write and summarize for a non-specialist audience, building on "Media Engagement" and "Writing for a Layperson" workshops. (30) [LO 1,4]
In response to COVID-19: Please note that Semester 2 Class Summary information (available under the classes tab) is as up to date as possible. Changes to Class Summaries not captured by this publication will be available to enrolled students via Wattle.
The ANU uses 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. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the semester including:
- Face-to face component which may consist of 3 x 3 hour lectorials (lecture, seminars and tutorials) per week over a 6 week period.
- Approximately 70 hours of self-study which will include substantial reading and preparation work required for engagement in face-to-face sessions.
Inherent Requirements
Not yet determined
Requisite and Incompatibility
Prescribed Texts
Planning and Managing Scientific Research: A guide for the beginning researcher (Author - Brian Kennett).
Preliminary Reading
Planning and Managing Scientific Research: A guide for the beginning researcher (Author - Brian Kennett).
Assumed Knowledge
An undergraduate-level background in Earth Sciences, or cognate subjects, such as Chemistry, Marine Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Physics and Physical Geography.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $4050 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $5760 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
First Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3729 | 24 Feb 2020 | 02 Mar 2020 | 08 May 2020 | 05 Jun 2020 | In Person | View |
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8739 | 27 Jul 2020 | 03 Aug 2020 | 31 Aug 2020 | 30 Oct 2020 | In Person | View |
