Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2012

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

Rationale

In a holistic and systematic approach to problem solving, it is important that you learn to apply analytical methods and quantitative techniques encountered in a classroom environment to real world issues in industry.

Aims

The aim of this unit is to allow you to utilise your knowledge of problem solving procedures and develop your communication and interactive skills by completing a specified project in industry under controlled supervision, providing a summary of your findings in a seminar and presenting a formally written detailed report.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit you should be able to:

1. Plan, analyse and resolve an industry problem that is within the capabilities of a final year undergraduate student

2. Combine skills and knowledge developed over the entire undergraduate course and apply them to the solution of an industry project.

3. Write a formal report in the format required and/or commonly used by the industry partner.

Content

You may only enrol in the unit if you have already organised a project, an industry supervisor (who will guide you in the project) and an academic assessor. Both the industry supervisor and academic assessor should have the appropriate expertise to assess the project. Enrolment is subject to the permission of the unit coordinator and you are advised to have alternative units that you can do in case these arrangements fall through.

You are normally required to work on the selected project on-site for a total of at least 13 weeks beginning at the start of the semester at the rate of 2-3 days per week, or an equivalent amount of time. You are given initial guidance in project planning in order to develop a suitable plan to manage the project in a timely manner.

As the project is developed, you are required to keep an up-to-date log of progress made incorporating approaches, initiatives, reactions to set-backs and unexpected findings in order to develop an accurate draft report for discussion with your industry supervisor before submission of the final report.

Note: In meeting the requirements of the Mathematics degrees, by undertaking MAB640 you also need to complete a minimum of 36 additional credit points from other third level mathematics units. i.e. this unit can only count 12 credit points towards the requirement of 48 credit points of 3rd level units.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

There are no formal classes in this unit, however your industry project supervisor will normally arrange to meet regularly with you to promote learning through discussion on planning issues, feedback on interim reports, advice on work in progress and guidance on future developments.

Assessment

Formative assessment will take the form of regular meetings with your supervisor.You will receive regular feedback in meetings.

Assessment name: Professional Plans
Description: (Summative)You will present a plan for the project to the academic assessor and the unit coordinator for approval.
Relates to objectives: 1
Weight: 10%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Week 2

Assessment name: Report
Description: (Summative) You will submit a formal report providing details of the work undertaken in accordance with the log kept by you while working on the project. This includes background to the organisation involved, a description of the project itself and details of results and outcomes achieved.
Relates to objectives: 2 and 3.
Weight: 90%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of Week 13

Assessment name: Interview
Description: (Formative) You will meet with your industry supervisor on a regular basis to discuss plans, difficulties, progress and future work. There will be less frequent meetings with your academic assessor to ensure your project is meeting the agreed goals of your plan.
Relates to objectives: 1 to 3.
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Throughout Semester

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

Texts:

There is no prescribed text set down for the unit.

References:

1. Anderson PV (1995). Technical Writing, 3rd edition, Harcourt Brace College Publishers

2. Pauley SE (1994). Technical Report Writing Today, 2nd edition, Houghton Mifflin

3. Silyn-Roberts H (1996). Writing for Science, Longman

4. Willett G (2001). The CEED Guide to Project Planning

Risk assessment statement

There are no out-of-the-ordinary risks associated with this unit on campus. Risks while you are working in industry are indemnified by QUT - this includes WorkCover and insurance cover. For more information on Health and Safety, see QUTs website, http://www.hrd.qut.edu.au/healthsafety/healthsafe/index.jsp

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: 18-Mar-2011