Units
Postgraduate Learning and Research Skills
Unit code: LSN103
Contact hours: 4 per week
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit assists you in developing of a range of generic and specific skills and attributes to be a successful postgraduate student. On completion of the unit, you will: (i) know how to manage information tools and resources effectively in order to advance your university study and become an independent and competent learner (ii) build and increase your knowledge and competence in using basic software applications and general knowledge of information communication technologies and (iii) develop key skills in project design and management. This unit consists of a series of workshops, seminars and on-line tutorials presented by a team of teaching and learning support staff from across the university.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
In order for you to progress to the more advanced units offered in the postgraduate coursework in biotechnology program, you should have a thorough and comprehensive grounding in generic and high order academic, information literacy and technology and research skills and attributes as well as be proficient in information retrieval and scientific communication, both written and oral. This unit provides you with opportunities to meet these requirements as part of your development as a postgraduate student.
Aims
This postgraduate unit is specifically designed to develop and refine your generic and high order academic skills and attributes, your information retrieval skills and your scientific communication skills.
Objectives
On completion of this unit, you should:
1. have gained essential skills and capabilities related to effective learning and research in both a university, and more specifically, a postgraduate context.
2. be able to find, compile, collate and analyse information using a range of print and electronic resources.
3. have gained basic and advanced skills in scientific communication.
Content
The content of this unit includes a range of, seminars and/or tutorials. Topics covered vary from year-to-year reflecting availability and student preferences, so the following is not exhaustive nor is every topic necessarily addressed.
Academic skills
Reading and note making; Academic writing; Exam preparation, Critical thinking
Information literacy skills
Getting around the library; Advanced information retrieval
Information technology skills
Internet and network; Word processing; Data spreadsheets; Presentations and drawing; Databases/filing systems; Bibliographic organising tools
Research and related skills
Research project design and management; Ethics in research; Research grants; Research commercialisation
Scientific communication
How to write and publish a scientific paper, critical review of a published paper, active listening during scientific presentations, asking probing questions in seminars.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
This unit consists of a series of, seminars and/or tutorials drawing upon the expertise of a team of teaching and learning support staff from across the university. For some topics self-directed learning is encouraged and activities are designed to allow you some flexibility to explore topics of specific interest.
Assessment
You will be required to attend and actively participate in the majority of workshops, seminars and/or tutorials and complete any additional requirements during the semester, as appropriate.You will have the opportunity to gain feedback regarding your performance by making an appointment with the unit coordinator at a mutually convenient time.
Assessment name:
Portfolio
Description:
Summative. Assessment in this unit will be based on attendance, active participation and work done in workshops and/or tutorials. Some content will require mandatory submission of work which will be graded. There may be some flexibility in unit requirements, if so, this will be made clear to all students at unit commencement.
Relates to objectives:
1 - 3
Weight:
100%
Internal or external:
Internal
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Ongoing
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
References:
Relevant key references for specific topics will be indicated in seminar and/or tutorial materials. Students are expected to source other references through further reading.
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: 08-Oct-2012
