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Project (Part-time)

Unit code: PCN540-2
Contact hours: 9 per week
Credit points: 24
Information about fees and unit costs

New and exciting technologies are playing an increasingly important role in everyday life. Modern healthcare is a good example of a field where technology has had a huge impact in the way patients are diagnosed and treated. Graduates are increasingly involved in the research and development of new technologies and also in its translation and implementation into clinical use. This unit aims to develop further the student's skills for carrying out such work in the form of a research project. The project may be carried out in collaboration with hospitals or industry. This unit aims to introduce and improve the students skills in carrying out research work in the form of a short research project. (48 credit points achieved at completion of PCN540-1 and PCN540-2.)

Availability
Semester Available
2013 Semester 1 Yes
2013 Semester 2 Yes

Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

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

Rationale

New and exciting technologies are playing an increasingly important role in everyday life. Modern healthcare is a good example of a field where technology has had a huge impact in the way patients are diagnosed and treated. Graduates are increasingly involved in the research and development of new technologies and also in its translation and implementation into clinical use. This unit aims to develop further the student's skills for carrying out such work in the form of a research project. The project may be carried out in collaboration with hospitals or industry.

Aims

This unit aims to introduce and improve the students skills in carrying out research work in the form of a short research project.

Objectives

On completion of this unit the student should be able to:

1. Manage and organise their time required to carry out a research project.
2. Develop skills in teamwork.
3. Demonstrate the ability to design a research topic.
4. Demonstrate skills of information and data collection.
5. Organise, analyse and interpret evidence and results to reach a meaningful conclusion.
6. Report research findings in writing and through other methods.

Content

  • Preparation of a research/development proposal.
  • Literature review.
  • Design of methodology and preparation of relevant materials.
  • Implementation of proposal.
  • Data acquisition and analysis.
  • Final report preparation/submission.
  • Seminar presentation.

    Approaches to Teaching and Learning

    A significant component of this unit will involve self-study and independent work. A suitable supervisor will be assigned who will monitor progress and provide the appropriate guidance.

    Assessment

    The criteria used in the assessment of assessment items 2 and 3 and their weightings are as follows:

    1. Review / experimentation / investigation (35%)

  • Knowledge of literature
  • Relating the project to the literature
  • Experimental design / research techniques
  • Generation of data
  • Evaluating information

    2. Interpretation and synthesis (35%)
  • Critical analysis
  • Interpretation
  • Problem solving
  • Synthesis of discussion
  • Conclusions

    3. Communication (30%)
  • Abstract
  • Oral and written communication
  • Presentation of data
  • Presentation of the thesis

    Criteria 1 and 2 relate to the thesis only. Criteria 3 relates to the oral presentation and the thesis.Feedback will be provided to students via oral and online means. Consultation is available on request.

    Assessment name: Project (research)
    Description: Project Proposal.
    Relates to objectives: 1 and 3.
    Weight: 10%
    Internal or external: Internal
    Group or individual: Individual
    Due date: See Blackboard Site

    Assessment name: Report
    Description: Project report.
    Relates to objectives: 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6.
    Weight: 70%
    Internal or external: Internal
    Group or individual: Individual
    Due date: See Blackboard Site

    Assessment name: Presentation
    Description: Seminar presentation.
    Relates to objectives: 1, 4, 5 and 6.
    Weight: 20%
    Internal or external: Internal
    Group or individual: Individual
    Due date: See Blackboard Site

    Academic Honesty

    QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

    A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

    Resource materials

    Texts:
    As appropriate to the project being undertaken.

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    Risk assessment statement

    Project activities may include low impact risks. You will be provided with information relating to safety issues at the beginning of the project and an assessment of the risks will be carried out as part of the research proposal.

    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: 25-May-2012