Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 1 2013

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

Rationale

Please refer to the HLN700 Unit Information Document for further details. The Unit Information Document is available from the HLN700 Blackboard Site.

The thesis provides an opportunity for you to extend and synthesise knowledge gained in earlier semesters of the program and to formally undertake a formal research project. This study represents an independent and original piece of research completed with the guidance of a supervisor. The thesis may be a report on research that makes a contribution to knowledge, an analysis and interpretation of a pre-existing data set of known good quality, individual solutions to small-scale practical health problems, a critical literature review of an issue of substance, or a study in which you critically analyse and appraise existing knowledge and produce observations and conclusions of value to the field concerned.

Aims

The thesis provides an opportunity for coursework conducted in the area of specialisation to be applied in a practical manner reflecting your specific interest in health science.

Objectives

At the conclusion of HLN750_1 and HLN750_2 you will have written a thesis which should demonstrate your ability to:

1. synthesise information into a unified and coherent whole;
   
2. use relevant research methodology to investigate your defined area of research;
   
3. critically analyse your own work in an objective and reflective manner;
   
4. write in accordance with accepted standards of scholarship, style and presentation; and
   
5. draw conclusions from the study and make recommendations for future research in the area.

Content

Preparation and presentation of a 48 credit point thesis (representing one third of the Masters program). The thesis should be presented in accordance with the following example:

• Introduction
  
• Literature review
  
• Aims and objective(s) of the study
  
• Methods
  
• Result of the study
  
• Discussion of results, including an interpretation of the results and their relationship to the aims and objectives
  
• Recommendations for action and further research

Prior to enrolling in this unit, students MUST contact the Unit Coordinator to discuss supervision and expectations of enrolment.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

You will need to meet regularly with your supervisor/s. The format and frequency of these meetings will be at the discretion of the supervisor.

Assessment

This unit involves 2 formative assessments designed to assist the student in making progress and in producing a high-quality thesis. The sole summative assessment item is the thesis itself.

Assessment name: Overview/outline
Description: Formative. An overview of the proposed thesis topic and outline of procedures to be carried out.
Relates to objectives: NA
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Week 2

Assessment name: Draft sections or whole thesis
Description: Formative. Regular submissions of draft material are made to the supervisor during candidature for review and comment. This will ensure that you understand suggestions for improvement. Depending on specific arrangements between yourself and the supervisor(s), this will occur either once, at least 3 weeks prior to the end of the semester, when a draft of the entire thesis is submitted for review by the supervisor(s), or alternatively, drafts of sections may be submitted throughout the semester for review and comment.
Relates to objectives: NA
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: See description

Assessment name: Thesis
Description: Summative assessment (Satisfactory or Unsatisfactory). A final thesis (15000 - 20000 words in length) will be submitted to the Postgraduate Course Coordinator, School of Public Health. Following submission of the thesis, copies will be sent to two examiners who are independent of the supervisory process. One examiner is from within the university and one is from outside the university. The examiners reserve the right to ask a student to attend an oral examination, if deemed necessary, in the semester following submission, or whenever convenient. If no amendments are stipulated by the examiners then four (4) copies (non-returnable) should be hard bound. These copies MUST be printed single-sided.
Relates to objectives: 1-5
Weight: 100%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: usually end semester

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

Students are expected to make use of current scientific literature and other relevant sources (eg, government reports, textbooks or monographs, on-line sources, etc.) in the course of producing the thesis.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

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: 17-Oct-2012