Coursework students in CoSM undertake research project courses either through a discipline specific coded, or SCNC coded, research project, special topics or thesis courses. To ensure equity across CoSM, this protocol applies to all undergraduate and postgraduate coursework students enrolled in research project courses. It is particularly important to maintain equity as many of these courses are used as a pathway to a PhD and the student’s research potential will be evaluated on the basis of the outcome of previous research projects.

Process

Enrolment

Enrolment in one of these courses on a single topic over two or more sequential semesters is possible with a grade of “KU” awarded at the end of all but the final semester. However the enrolment pattern, assessment and deadlines must be defined during the first two weeks of the first instance of enrolment.

Course outlines

Course structure, assessment and deadlines must be defined and communicated to students within the first two weeks of enrolment. 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 CoSM statement for students on mark moderation.

Supervision

• The supervisor, or an appropriate co-supervisor must be available and agree to guide the student throughout the period of enrolment.
• In cases where a supervisor is unexpectedly absent from the university for more than two weeks, an alternative supervisor must be appointed.
• 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.

Examination

• All research project reports must be examined by at least two examiners.
• At least one examiner should be independent from the research group in which the project was undertaken. Two examiners external to the research group should be used when the research project course is more than 12 units.
• The examiners must be provided with assessment criteria or a rubric to guide the examination; this must include a clear indication of the level of the student (2nd or 3rd year, honours, Masters), the unit value of the course and the volume of work expected relative to a full year.
• The examiners should provide a written report justifying the mark awarded according to the grading criteria. Comments should be constructive and able to be given to the student; if additional comments not suitable for the student to see are made, these should appear in a separate section marked confidential.
• Once the examiners recommended marks are received, the final marks and grade are determined in a School Examiners’ meeting.

Moderation

The statement that should appear in every Science course’s assessment description is:

“The Associate Dean (Education) monitors marks across all courses offered by the College of Science and Medicine. 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.”

Extensions and late penalties

Extension and late penalty guidelines must be applied consistently:

• It is the student’s responsibility to apply for extensions of submission dates; only applications made before the submission date will be considered unless documentation of extenuating circumstances is received.
• Extensions of assessment due dates of ≤ 2 weeks are permitted at the discretion of the convener, on application by the student before the due date. Any extension beyond this period requires the approval of the Associate Dean (Education).
• It is not permitted to enroll in a further instance of the research project course as a means of extending the initially defined assessment deadline without the permission of the Associate Dean (Education).
• Late penalties are equitably applied (5% per working day late).

Special Consideration

Special consideration of individual student circumstances is undertaken and documented according to University policy and College processes.