SOIL&WAT 4050BWT - Advanced Soil Science (Hons) Pt 2
Waite Campus - Semester 1 - 2020
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code SOIL&WAT 4050BWT Course Advanced Soil Science (Hons) Pt 2 Coordinating Unit School of Agriculture, Food and Wine Term Semester 1 Level Undergraduate Location/s Waite Campus Units 6 Contact Mixed mode - flexible and/or intensive Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N Prerequisites SOIL&WAT 4050AWT in previous Semester Incompatible SOIL&WAT 4001AWT/BWT, SOIL&WAT 4020AWT/BWT Restrictions Available only to students admitted to the relevant Honours program Assessment Exams and/or assignments, Research Proposal, Literature Review Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Ron Smernik
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course students
should be able to:
1 Analyse and critically evaluate scientific
literature in research related to chosen topics in Plant Science.2 Synthesise knowledge and ideas into a written
argument.3 Communicate scientific information clearly and
concisely in written English.University Graduate Attributes
This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:
University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s) Deep discipline knowledge
- informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
- acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
- accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
1-2 Critical thinking and problem solving
- steeped in research methods and rigor
- based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
- demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
1-2 Teamwork and communication skills
- developed from, with, and via the SGDE
- honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
- encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
1-3 Career and leadership readiness
- technology savvy
- professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
- forward thinking and well informed
- tested and validated by work based experiences
1-3 Intercultural and ethical competency
- adept at operating in other cultures
- comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
- able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
- demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
1-3 Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
- a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
- open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
- able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
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Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
The Honours Advanced Course enables students to enhance their knowledge and appreciation of their chosen areas of scientific research. The first research area will be directly relevant to their Honours research project and will require the analysis of the literature and the development of a research proposal. Knowledge of the other research area will be enhanced through either coursework or specialised written essay. While these activities are largely independent, students will be given guidance/mentorship by their supervisor(s) and be provided with workshops to aid in their learning.Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
A student enrolled in a 6 unit, full year course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 12 hours per week on the studies required. For the Literature review and research proposal and for students undertaking the Essay assessment item, this time will encompass reading and synthesis of the relevant scientific literature and development of the research proposal. For students choosing to undertake a 3-unit course in place of the Essay, this will include formal contact time required to that course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision) as required.Learning Activities Summary
Workshops are provided during this course to support students towards course assessment and learning outcomes. Example workshop topics include:
- Communication skills & academic writing
- Statistics and data analysis
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Assessment
The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:
- Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
- Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
- Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
- Assessment must maintain academic standards.
Assessment Summary
Assessment Task Task Type Due Weighting Hurdle Learning Outcome Literature Review and Research Proposal Formative and Summative April 50% No 1-3 Essay or Coursework Summative June 50% No 1-3 Assessment Detail
Essay or Coursework
Students will either:
prepare a 4500 word essay on a topic of their choice (that is not directly related to their research project). The essay should provide evidence of critical thought and argument. Communication skills and the ability to analyse and critically evaluate knowledge and ideas will be assessed.
Or
Undertake a Level III course (3 units), to be agreed upon by the student, supervisor and Honours Coordinator – the
course MUST be relevant to the field of research.
Literature Analysis and Research Proposal
Students will prepare: (i) a 4000 word literature analysis comprising a critical review of published work related to their project area, to ‘set the scene’ for the development of the aims or hypotheses to be addressed by their project; and (ii) a 1500 word research
proposal outlining the project to be conducted. Communication skills and the ability to analyse and critically evaluate scientific literature will be assessed.
Submission
If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of
the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.
Course Grading
Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:
M11 (Honours Mark Scheme) Grade Grade reflects following criteria for allocation of grade Reported on Official Transcript Fail A mark between 1-49 F Third Class A mark between 50-59 3 Second Class Div B A mark between 60-69 2B Second Class Div A A mark between 70-79 2A First Class A mark between 80-100 1 Result Pending An interim result RP Continuing Continuing CN Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.
Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.
Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.
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Student Feedback
The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.
SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- International Student Support
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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Fraud Awareness
Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.
The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.
