17914 Major Project 1
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Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
Major Project 1, together with Major Project 2, develops core skills that give students the ability to successfully complete rigorous and original planning problem-solving exercises. These skills enable students to design, conduct, and oversee original applied research. The Major Project subjects are designed to be flexible, so that students can take them in any order. Students work with an academic supervisor to identify which tasks will be completed in each of the research subjects; after completing both subjects, students have a sound grasp of all the topics identified here. They also have completed a research report on their chosen topic.
In Major Project 1 and Major Project 2, students:
i) develop skills in problem identification and framing
ii) do a literature review
iii) research methodology design
iv) data collection and analysis
v) communicate the findings
vi) draw conclusions and policy recommendations from the findings
vii) communicate the research
Typically students will complete first three tasks in the Major Project 1 i.e. problem identification and framing, literature review and methodology design. In Major Project 2 students will complete the rest of the tasks which includes data collection and analysis, communicating the finding, drawing conclusion and policy recommendation and finally communicating the design by various techniques.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
| 1. | Demonstrate reflective and critical understanding of one’s own perspective. |
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| 2. | Develop effective communication strategies. |
| 3. | Critically evaluate evidence and conclusions based on evidence. |
| 4. | Identify and apply effective methods and appropriate analytic tools in research analysis. |
| 5. | Develop a deeper understanding of a current urban problem and possible solutions. |
| 6. | Present a clear rationale for proposed solutions. |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes to the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes:
- Communicate with people with a wide variety of cultural, social, economic, and political perspectives and interests using verbal, written, and visual media (C.2)
- Investigate strategically the future of cities and regions and identify the drivers of change (P.1)
- Determine risk assessment principles and apply them to simulating future courses of action (R.1)
- Design and conduct a research project to identify and evaluate alternative strategies to resolve a complex problem (R.2)
- Develop coherent and logically structured arguments that use evidence appropriately (R.5)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
The term CAPRI is used for the five Design, Architecture and Building faculty graduate attribute categories where:
C = communication and groupwork
A = attitudes and values
P = practical and professional
R = research and critique
I = innovation and creativity.
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) are linked to these categories using codes (e.g. C-1, A-3, P-4, etc.).
Teaching and learning strategies
This subject is taught fully online. Each week is self-paced through the learning management system. You are expected to complete a range of different learning activities throughout the week. Activities provide opportunities to learn, apply, and discuss the knowledge gained in a practical manner. Feedback is provided from both peers and teaching staff throughout the activities. You are encouraged to actively provide feedback and interact with staff and students in the exercises and on the discussions board(s). Online Zoom sessions will be held regularly throughout thesubject to allow you to interact with staff and students, ask questions and receive clarification and formative feedback on your assignments.
Content (topics)
The content for this subject are as follows:
Module 1 - Research methods and ethics
Module 2 - Developing literature review
Module 3 - Methodological framework
Module 4 to 6 - Research discussion and development
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Video Presentation
| Intent: | The aim of this assignment is to enable students to select a research topic within the field of urban planning and justify its relevance and significance. This assignment aims to develop students' skills in identifying and articulating research objectives, as well as their ability to connect their chosen topic to broader urban planning issues. By presenting their research topic through a video presentation, students will enhance their communication and presentation skills while effectively conveying the importance of their chosen research area. | ||||||||||||||||
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| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2 and 3 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): C.2, P.1 and R.5 | ||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Demonstration | ||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 20% | ||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 3 Min video presentation + 500 words writeup (optional) | ||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Draft Report
| Intent: | The intent of this assignment is to guide students in conducting a thorough literature review and developing a robust methodology for their chosen research project in urban planning. This assignment aims to enhance students' research skills, critical analysis, and understanding of relevant literature in the field. By completing this assignment, students will demonstrate their ability to identify key sources, synthesise existing knowledge, and design a well-structured methodology for their research. | ||||||||||||||||||||
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| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1, 2, 3 and 4 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): C.2, P.1, R.1 and R.2 | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Type: | Report | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight: | 45% | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Length: | 2500 words (+/-10%) report. Exceeding beyond the given word limit will attract penalty. | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Final Report
| Intent: | The intent of this assignment is to present a complete report by addressing the comments received in Assignment 2. The assignment aims to enhance the entirety of the research project by showcasing a thoughtful and responsive integration of the feedback received during Assignment 2 and the feedback sessions. The assignment also offers the chance to make necessary amendments and refine the research project before moving to Major Project 2. By completing this assignments students will have a good idea to identify key resources, accommodate feedback, and present a well-structured literature and methodology. | ||||||||||||
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| Objective(s): | This task addresses the following subject learning objectives: 1 and 3 This task also addresses the following course intended learning outcomes that are linked with a code to indicate one of the five CAPRI graduate attribute categories (e.g. C.1, A.3, P.4, etc.): C.2 and R.1 | ||||||||||||
| Type: | Report | ||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 35% | ||||||||||||
| Length: | 3000 words (+/-10%) report. Exceeding beyond the given word limit will attract penalty. | ||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Minimum requirements
Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s total mark.