Special topic and research project courses
On this page you will find guidance on the use of special topics and research project courses and links to the forms that must be submitted in order to use one of the college-owned course codes.
If in doubt about where to start, please email science.curriculum@anu.edu.au

Related policies and procedures

*This policy document is effective until 31 December 2024. From 1 January 2025, the University Accreditation Handbook will supersede this webpage

General information

Most schools have their own research project and special topics courses. ANU Programs and Courses Accreditation policy and procedure (specifically items 21-29 of the procedure) identifies rules around the use of special topic courses and their administration but does not distinguish between a special topic course and a research project course, which are the two types most broadly used in the College of Science and Medicine. The College makes a clear distinction between courses described in the procedure under points 21.a and 21.b as follows:

  • 21.a "For courses in which the topic is pre-set and the same content delivered to each student enrolled in each topic (typically, lecture or seminar based courses), a topic must be assigned to that course before students can enrol. The course must not be available for student enrolment without a topic assigned".
  • 21.b "For courses in which the topic is not pre-set and each student negotiates their own topic (for example thesis, readings, project, and internship courses), a topic must be entered through use of a transcript note for each student at the time that the grade is entered for the course (apart from in cases where the is KU – “Continuing Course”).

Special Topics courses are typically used where the same topic is available to a cohort of students, or under rare circumstances, where a unique topic is available to an individual student (not to be confused with a research project).

Research Project courses are typically used where the project is bespoke to each student.

College Education Committee Out of Session #2 2023 approved guidelines:

 

College-based HLMD (CHM) / SCNC (CoS) course codes

The College has a series of SCNC and HLMD coded courses that can be used by individual schools where the project or topic is cross-disciplinary and a more appropriate course code does not already exist. The most common usage of these courses is for Research Projects or Special Topics.

Research Project course codes

Unless the project is transdisciplinary by nature, students should be advised to enrol in a "Research Project" course owned by the School.

General principles:

  • Scheduling: Research Project courses are scheduled all sessions and, where appropriate, all relevant unit values.
  • Class summaries: Noting that research projects are typically bespoke for each student, a generic class summary with general expectations and threshold guidelines should be published through the CHMS for each class.
  • Research Project titles must be annotated in the student transcript by the school as per standard processes.
  • SELT: Research Project courses are typically exempt from SELT

How to get permission to use the course code:

Each College-based research project course includes a link to a "Research Project Proposal form" in the individual course entry in the Programs and Courses website. Students must download the form and obtain the relevant approvals as per the instructions in the form. They will also need to download and complete an enrolment change form and submit both signed documents to the College Student Services Office for approval. Additional guidance on expectations on Research Projects in Coursework degrees is available at: https://stlc.anu.edu.au/about/protocols-processes/research-projects-coursework-degrees-including-scnc-coded-courses.

Upon completion of the project, the School must provide the College Student Services Office with the student grade in alignment with end of semester/exam results processing timelines.

Special Topics courses

This College special topic proposal form is to be used where a school wishes to enrol a student or cohort of students in Special Topics HLMD1022, HLMD2022, HLMD3022, HLMD8022 or SCNC1022, SCNC2022, SCNC3022, SCNC8022

Each special topic course has an entry in the Programs and Courses website, with indicative assessment and generic learning outcomes. Where a school wishes to use the special topics course, they must ensure that the topic proposed generally aligns with the published information.

When approval is granted to use a special topic course code, a unique class number will be generated per usage to facilitate the generation of a class summary and transparency for students.

General principles:

  • Unless the topic is transdisciplinary by nature or a suitable alternative course code does not exist, students should be advised to enrol in a "Special Topic" course owned by the school.
  • College special topics courses are only scheduled upon request, ie submission and approval of the special topic proposal form.
  • The Learning Outcomes and assessment schema for the special topic should generally align with those published for the course code, however specific Learning Outcomes and Assessment Tasks can be included in the form where appropriate.
  • Any additional information essential for students should be included in the special topic form, such as field trip details, additional costs or materials, etc.
  • A class summary must be generated and published in CMS for each class scheduled, prior to students being able to enrol, that is unique and relevant to each topic. The class summary should include clear instructions to the student on how to seek permission to enrol.
  • Special topic titles must be annotated in the student transcript by the school as per standard processes.
  • SELT can be requested for each individual topic if a request is submitted to the Associate Dean (Education) at the start of each session/semester.

How to get permission to use the course code:

Send an email with your enquiry to science.curriculum@anu.edu.au to initiate the discussion or download the College special topic proposal form and email it to science.curriculum@anu.edu.au. There is one form for CHM owned courses and another for CoS owned courses. The Education Governance Officer can assist you in completing the form.

Special topics must go through the standard approval channels. It is recommended the school initiate the paperwork or discussions with the College at least 12 weeks prior to course delivery, but this may vary depending on the nature of the course.

If students from a range of levels will be participating in the same experience, a special topic form must be submitted for each academic level, detailing appropriate Learning Outcomes and Assessment Tasks.

  • The Education Governance Office will submit the form through standard curriculum approval channels (Education Sub Committee and Associate Dean Education). The approved form will be returned to the school and also tabled for noting at the next available College Education Committee.
  • If approved, the Education Governance Office schedule the class and provide the school with a class number to be used for each specific cohort. A class summary must be published before students can enrol.
  • Once the class has been scheduled, the Education Governance Office will generate a class summary in the CMS, with information provided in the special topic proposal form and submit this to the school for review.
  • The Education Governance Office will notify the School and College Student Services Office of the class creation and number.
  • The School is responsible for all timetabling requirements.
  • The School is responsible for all student communications with regards to expressions of interest for enrolment and/or enrolment processes.
  • The School is encouraged to maintain a list of all interested students, to be provided to the College Student Services Office to facilitate college level approval (if required) and set up of permissions through SAS.
  • Upon completion of the class, the School must provide the College Student Services Office with the grade roster in alignment with end of semester/exam results processing timelines.

Special topics proposal forms