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

This postgraduate unit is usually taken at the end stage of the LS96 Master of Biotechnology (Advanced) degree or as part of the SC71 Graduate Diploma of Applied Science degree and may be done in conjunction with LSN712 Project 2. LSN711 involves the writing of a critical literature review on a specific topic to identify knowledge gaps which are usually explored experimentally in LSN712 to follow.

Aims

The overall aims of this postgraduate unit is for you to develop and refine skills in the collection and analysis of information and data on a specific topic in your area of research interest and to enable you to compile and write a comprehensive and critical literature review.

Objectives

After having completed this unit, you should be able to:

1. conduct a thorough and critical review of an area of literature at a postgraduate level
2. propose an area of research arising from knowledge gaps identified in the critical literature review.

Content

No formal content is needed since this unit solely involves the compilation and analysis of information and data that will assist in the writing of a comprehensive and critical review of the literature.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

You will be mainly working in an independent manner, but with guidance and mentoring from your supervisor(s). You are expected to prepare drafts of the literature review in advance of the submission deadline to enable you to utilise the feedback given in a constructive manner so as to further develop and refine your scientific writing skills and to ensure that your submission meets the requirements expected at a postgraduate level.

Assessment

Full descriptive details of assessments, assessment criteria, expectations, timelines, late submission penalties, etc. together with useful advices to compiling and writing both the literature review (and LSN712 Project Report) are provided to you in the "Guide" document available on Blackboard.You will have the opportunity to gain feedback regarding your performance by making an appointment with the unit coordinator at a mutually convenient time. Assessors usually also provide feedback directly to you.

Assessment name: Literature Review
Description: Compiling and writing a critical review of the literature according to prescriptive guidelines (Summative)
Relates to objectives: 1 and 2
Weight: 100%
Internal or external: Internal
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: End of 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

You would be expected to read, review and summarise in the order of 50-100 journal articles to assist in your preparation of the literature review and to ensure a comprehensive and critical analysis of the available literature.

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.

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