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Unit Overview

Description

The Research Development unit is intended to be undertaken at the beginning of, or prior to, the Research Dissertation units. Students can commence in either semester one or semester two. This unit is designed to equip students with the skills required to develop and structure a new research project. The proposed project is then conducted in the Research Dissertation units (parts 1–4).

Credit
6 points
Offering
AvailabilityLocationModeFirst year of offer
Not available in 2025UWA (Perth)On-campus
Details for undergraduate courses
  • Level 4 elective
Outcomes

Students are able to (1) develop and describe appropriate design of experiments and selection of methods to address rigorously formulated questions and hypotheses; (2) demonstrate expertise in biological methods appropriate to the subject of research; (3) write a coherent proposal for a biological research project; and (4) orally present the research proposal to a scientific audience.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) research proposal and (2) proposal presentation. Further information is available in the unit outline.



This unit is assessed on an ungraded pass/ungraded failed basis. All assessment items must be successfully completed.

Supplementary assessment is not available in this unit.

Unit Coordinator(s)
Professor Jan Hemmi and Professor Jacqueline Batley
Unit rules
Prerequisites
HON-BOTNY Botany
or HON-CONBI Conservation Biology
or HON-MARSC Marine Science
or HON-ZOOLY Zoology
or HON-MARBI Marine Biology
Incompatibility
BIOL5442 Honours in Biological Sciences Research Dissertation Part 1
Contact hours
independent research and study plus regular meetings with supervisors
  • The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
  • All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
  • Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
  • Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.