Units

---

Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2012

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Your transition from undergraduate scholar to reliable and productive researcher requires an ability to present research findings and their critical analysis in an oral form. Oral presentation is a significant skill in academic, industrial and clinical research settings.

Aims

The primary aim of this unit is to help you communicate your research ideas and outcomes effectively and articulately.

Objectives

On completion of this unit, you should have:

1. developed and refined high-level information retrieval skills and learned how to collect, critically analyse and collate scientific literature at a postgraduate level.

2. developed and refined high-level skills in oral presentation design and implementation.

3. developed and applied skills in communication and debate.

4. acquired and be able to apply high-level skills in immediate oral responses to questions in your general area of research.

Content

The unit consists of a series of self-organised presentations related to the analysis and outcomes of your research project.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

Preparation for the final assessed seminar is carried out through presentations to your research group and others in informal and semi-formal settings, where the methods for presenting results and answering questions are discussed with supervisors and mentors, and others at various stages of research training. Supervisors will provide advice on the number and frequency of these presentations.

Assessment

Your informal and semi-formal seminar presentations on your research progress receive feedback from staff and your peer group on quality, with constructive criticisms for improvement and reinforcement of good performances.Feedback will be provided to students through consultation with lecturers and/or supervisory staff.

Assessment name: Student negotiated assessment
Description: Summative assessment will be based on your formal seminar presentation, which will be open to all academic staff, and is widely advertised. Your presentation and responses to questions will be graded as satisfactory or unsatisfactory.\
Week due:Negotiated with student and supervisor
Relates to objectives: 1-4
Weight: 100%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Negotiated

Academic Honesty

Academic honesty means that you are expected to exhibit honesty and act responsibly when undertaking assessment. Any action or practice on your part which would defeat the purposes of assessment is regarded as academic dishonesty. The penalties for academic dishonesty are provided in the Student Rules. For more information you should consult the QUT Library resources for avoiding plagiarism.

Resource materials

There are no formal texts set for this unit, but individual supervisors will be able to provide you with guidance on the best approaches for preparing an oral presentation, and most research groups have a number of people who can provide practical instruction of how to use the appropriate software for creating visual aids for your presentation. The University also runs workshops on how to present using software such as Powerpoint.

Risk assessment statement

This unit is conducted entirely in traditional lecture or seminar room settings, and no risks beyond the ordinary need to be considered.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 04-Aug-2011