The thesis presents a major piece of guided independent research on a topic agreed between the student and their supervisor. It typically involves a literature review and an appropriate form of critical analysis of sources of primary and /or secondary data; it may involve field and/or laboratory work. The thesis must show evidence of wide reading and understanding, of critical analysis and/or appropriate use of advanced research techniques. All students must attend relevant seminars, present at least one seminar, and comply with any other prescribed conditions.

Learning Outcomes

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

1. plan, and engage in, an independent and sustained critical investigation and evaluation of a chosen research topic relevant to environment and society;
2. systematically identify relevant theory and concepts, relate these to appropriate methodologies and evidence, apply appropriate techniques and draw appropriate conclusions;
3. engage in systematic discovery and critical review of appropriate and relevant information sources;
4. appropriately apply qualitative and/or quantitative evaluation processes to original data;
5. understand and apply ethical standards of conduct in the collection and evaluation of data and other resources;
6. communicate research concepts and contexts clearly and effectively both in writing and orally;

Research-Led Teaching

The entire course is devoted to teaching and learning research skills and conducting original research for potential publication. Students will learn core knowledge about conducting research and will implement that.

Additional Course Costs

Students wishing to undertake field and laboratory work to support their project may incur small additional costs relating the travel expenses and equipment.

Examination Material or equipment

Not applicable.

Required Resources

Enrolled students who wish to include field and/or laboratory activity within their project must contact the relevant staff below to confirm that the activity is supportable by the School:

• Field work (fieldwork.fses@anu.edu.au)
• Laboratory work (labs.fses@anu.edu.au)

Recommended Resources

A series of resources will be available on the course Wattle site.

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

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

• Oral and class feedback for the Presentations
• Oral and written feedback by Supervisors on drafts
• Written feedback on the Dissertation from the (two) Examiners

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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

Over the course of your enrolment in ENVS8000 you are expected to conduct a number of compulsory though non-assessed items. These are:

• Proposal Seminar
• Mid-term review
• Milestone completion form
• Exit form

Please refer to the FSES Coursework Research Handbook and course WATTLE site to confirm due dates for each of these milestones.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	This course can be taken as variable unit course (12-24). 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. Course structure, assessment and deadlines must be defined and communicated to students within the first two weeks of the first enrolment period. This should include the learning outcomes for the course, a copy of the assessment criteria that will be used by the examiners, information on academic and research integrity and a copy of the CHM/CoS statement for students on mark moderation. The student should: Maintain a close dialogue and constructive working relationship with your supervisor(s); Plan your research program with your supervisor(s); Consider advice seriously. If advice is not taken, the supervisor should be informed and given the reasons for the decision; Consult regularly with your supervisor. Students should prepare in advance for consultations, by determining the help they require and the areas in which advice would be useful; Complete the formal requirements for the course; Complete, to the best of your ability, a well written, thorough and competent project. The supervisor should: Assist in selecting and defining the scope of a suitable topic or problem; and in devising a schedule of work; Ensure the student is appropriately trained to undertake the research, including any safety and ethics requirements;  Guide the student in the selection and application of appropriate data collection and analysis procedures and advise on a solution if difficulties arise; Advise on matters of research report content, organisation and writing, including the timely provision of feedback;  Meet frequently with the student to discuss and evaluate each stage of the project; Ensure appropriate ethics clearance is gained before the student commences the research work.	Dates for submitting the thesis are defined based on the semester in which the student will complete their enrolment. For further details, please refer to the course information and related documents in Wattle, and to the Science Masters (Advanced) Handbook.

Tutorial Registration

Not applicable.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Learning Outcomes
Two options are available: Either (i) Annotated bibliography; or (ii) Mock Interview	10 %	1,2,3,6
Research Reflection	5 %	1,2,3,4,5,6
Thesis	75 %	1,2,3,4,5,6
Final Seminar	10 %	1,2,3,4,5,6

* 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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Academic Skills 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

All Masters research Students are expected to:

• Participate in coursework seminars and workshops offered for their cohort. Absences due to fieldwork, documented illness, or other extenuating circumstances should be discussed with the convenor. These workshops are also linked to assessment item 2.

Students are strongly encouraged to attend regular meetings with their supervisor and all of the presentation seminars for their student colleagues.

Examination(s)

There is no formal examination associated with this course.

Assessment Task 1

Two options are available: Either (i) Annotated bibliography; or (ii) Mock Interview

Option 1: Annotated Bibliography (due early in Term 2 of your program)

The purpose of this assessment is to assist with developing a strategic approach to reviewing literature. You will be required to present 20 citations, consisting of literature relevant to your research project including peer-reviewed literature, and government, industry, or NGO reports. You will present 5 citations in detail, including the full citation, and a summary, critical evaluation, and statement of relevance. The other 15 will need the full citation listed, and a brief statement of relevance. You will also need to include a brief context statement (<350 words) outlining the research objectives and overall aim of your annotated bibliography. 

Option 2: Mock Interview (due early in Term 4 of your program)

The mock interviews are intended to provide some experiential practice at translating and communicating the personal development and learning outcomes you have achieved throughout your academic career into a work-ready context. You will be given a job application brief, and guidance about how to prepare, and will meet with a selection panel of two experts external to ANU.  

Please refer to the FSES Coursework Research Handbook for full information about this assessment (including the assessment rubric).

Please refer to the course WATTLE site to access the assessment start and end dates for your cohort (i.e. calendar year or mid-year, part time or full time).

Assessment Task 2

Research Reflection

This task will require you to plan your research year, with guidance and support from the course convenor, and then to provide regular updates on your progress - reflecting on achievements, as well as hurdles and strategies to deal with any setbacks etc. You will be required to submit short and informal 'progress reports' before each workshop, and will be provided with feedback. These progress updates will form the basis of your research reflection mark.

Please refer to the FSES Coursework Research Handbook for full information about this assessment (including the assessment rubric).

Please refer to the course WATTLE site to access the assessment start and end dates for your cohort (i.e. calendar year or mid-year, part time or full time).

Assessment Task 3

Thesis

The thesis is the main component of your degree and encapsulates your entire research project. A Masters research thesis contains content similar to what you will find in a peer reviewed research paper, only you are expected to produce and discuss all facets of your project in much greater detail. The Masters research year is an apprenticeship in the training of researchers, and the thesis is most likely your first major engagement with independent research and writing.

Please refer to the FSES Coursework Research Handbook for full information about this assessment (including the assessment rubric).

Please refer to the course WATTLE site to access the assessment start and end dates for your cohort (i.e. calendar year or mid-year, part time or full time).

Assessment Task 4

Final Seminar

Your final seminar is completed after submission of your thesis. In your final seminar you are expected to demonstrate your knowledge of the topic and question(s) you have researched. Clarity and lucidity are essential. You should use imaginative but simple means of representing a synthesised view of your findings, in particular making effective use of graphics and valuable textual material.

Please refer to the FSES Coursework Research Handbook for full information about this assessment (including the assessment rubric).

Please refer to the course WATTLE site to access the assessment start and end dates for your cohort (i.e. calendar year or mid-year, part time or full time).

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

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

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. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Returning Assignments

Feedback will be provided in the form of written reports and/or verbally for oral assessments. Where permission has been granted by an nominated examiner, students may also be given access to an annotated copy of their dissertation.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted 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

Resubmission is 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).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students