Unit Outline

This unit is a program of supervised individual research, designed to allow students to explore in depth an area of environmental design of particular interest to them. The unit is undertaken throughout the year, and culminates in the submission of a dissertation of approximately 7,500 words or equivalent in the form of drawings, text, a scientific report or built objects, with approval from the unit coordinator.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1.	Propose and justify based on theoretical, ethical and practical positions a design-related research topic/line of enquiry/question for independent investigation, that demonstrates critical thinking and relevancy to the discipline; [research question].
2.	Identify and develop a research design and methodology/methods for investigating the topic area/line of enquiry/question; [research design].
3.	Employ research skills, speculation and critical and iterative thinking to explore, question and challenge the boundaries of particular problems; Identify and situate the research within relevant critical discourse, demonstrating the ability to synthesise and develop scholarship with intellectual independence, drawing conclusions and speculating on implications; [application].
4.	Record, distil, structure and communicate research and research findings in a rigorous and professional manner using scholarly practices and conventions. [communication].

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Honours Research Proposal	Week 6	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Literature Review	Week 15	60 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Honours Research Proposal

Task Description:

Individually, you are to prepare a research proposal. The proposal should be guided by a research topic/line of enquiry/question pertinent to the discipline and include an overview of the intended research design to enable its investigation.

Task Length:

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	See separate assignment handout.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment Task 2: Literature Review

Task Description:

Individually, you are to develop a literature review that contextualises the research topic/line of enquiry/question identified in the research proposal. Drafts of the literature review are to be submitted weekly following week 9, to receive consistent feedback and aid in the development of the final review. The review submitted in week 15 forms the basis for the final dissertation submitted in semester 2 in KDA478 Dissertation B.

Task Length:

Due Date:

Week 15

Weight:

60 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	See separate assignment handout.	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Review of results and appeals

You are entitled to ask for a review of the marking and grading of your assessment task if there is an irregularity in the marking standards or an error in the process for determining the outcome of an assessment. Details on how to request a review of a mark for an assignment are outlined in the Review and Appeal of Academic Decisions Procedure.