Agriculture, industry and medicine are being altered by new biological technologies. Today's students are the citizens who will make decisions about associated ethical issues. They need to have the knowledge that will enable them to make informed choices. Hence biotechnology has an important place in science education. The aims of the research were to: 1/describe the state of biotechnology teaching in NSW; 2/determine whether teachers in NSW do not teach biotechnology because they do not have the necessary knowledge and experience; 3/identify other reasons why NSW teachers choose not to teach biotechnology; 4/describe problems encountered in teaching biotechnology in NSW; 5/suggest ways in which the problems encountered in the teaching of biotechnology can be overcome. Quantitative and qualitative methods were used in a complementary way to investigate these aims. In a sample of teachers surveyed, many reported that they chose not to teach biotechnology because they did not have adequate knowledge and experience. Other obstacles were identified. These were: 1/ the difficulty of the subject matter; 2/ the lack of practical work; 3/ lack of a program for biotechnology in junior science. The results of this trial suggested that a biotechnology unit should be developed in collaboration with the teacher and that time needs to be made available for school based program development. / Master of Education (Hons)

Le sujet principal de la thèse est sur la recherche de bosons de Higgs de grande massese désintégrant en 4 leptons grâce aux données du Run-2 obtenues par le détecteur ATLASauprès du Large Hadron Collider - LHC. L'analyse correspondante, publiée à la conférenceICHEP de 2016 avec un échantillon de données de 14.8 fb-1 à 13 TeV, est décrite en détail. Etelle a été remise à jour dans cette thèse avec un échantillon de données de 36.1 fb-1 à 13 TeV.Cette recherche de bosons de Higgs de grande masse se fait indépendamment du modèle pourplusieurs largeurs de masse du boson : approximation de largeur de masse étroite où on supposela largeur de masse naturelle du signal incluant un effet d'interférence avec le bruit de fond duModèle Standard. La recherche de signal qui bénéficie le plus de l'ajout de contraintediscriminante est aussi présentée pour l'hypothèse d'un signal de boson scalaire. Cettemodification permet d'améliorer la sensibilité de cette analyse de 25%.Cette thèse présente aussi une amélioration du spectromètre à muons d'Atlas venant du projet deNouvelle Petite Roue - NSW pour New Small Wheel en anglais. En particulier sont décrits lasimulation du bruit de fond de la caverne qui affectera les futurs détecteurs, ainsi que lapréparation et la mise en service des modules Micromegas qui seront produits au CEA-Saclaypour l'expérience Atlas. / The thesis is focused on the heavy Higgs boson search in four lepton decay channelwith Run-2 data from the ATLAS detector at the Large Hadron Collider. The analysis publishedat ICHEP 2016 conference that is based on 14.8 fb-1 of 13 TeV data is described in details, whilethe updated results that include 36.1 fb-1 of 13 TeV data are shown as well. The heavy Higgssearch is carried out in a model independent way and it is covering different signal widthhypotheses: narrow width approximation that assumes the signal natural width to be negligiblecomparing to the detector resolution, and the large width assumption including an effect of theinterference with the Standard Model backgrounds. The search that benefits from additionalkinematic discriminant under the scalar signal assumption is presented as well. Thismodification allows to increase the analysis sensitivity up to 25%.The thesis also discusses an upgrade of the ATLAS Muons Spectrometer, namely the NewSmall Wheel project. In particular, simulation of the cavern background that will affect theupgraded detector and commissioning of the Micromegas modules produced at CEA-Saclay forthe New Small Wheel are described.

Research Doctorate - Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) / This thesis presents the results of an application of grounded theory research methodology to an area of study not previously tested by this technique. The allocation of land to urban growth impacts on both urban areas and the environment. A group of twenty leading practitioners in the field was interviewed and asked, in a set of structured questions, about their roles, the most important issues confronting them from ongoing urban development of Greenfield sites, how they saw the interaction between the current system of regulation and these issues, and changes they considered to be required. Applying grounded theory identified that the issues which concerned the practitioners fall into the following groupings: urban and environmental sustainability, the inadequate integration of these components yet the need to recognise their interaction, and the decision making process in terms of who is making decisions and how and when decisions are made about the allocation of land for urban growth. The current system is based primarily on the objective of resolving conflicts concerning land use. It was expected that the data obtained during the interviews may confirm the current orthodoxy. Unexpectedly, the data revealed not only a commonality of views but also a set of recommendations which could form the basis of a management framework to achieve greater environmental and urban sustainability. The interviewees pointed to proposals for urban growth in coastal NSW where a number of the recommendations have already been embraced by the NSW Government.

The aims of this project were to: 1. further develop the evaluation systems of Westman (1986), Chapman and Underwood (2000) and Wilkins et al (2004) proposed for the assessment of restored ecosystems; and 2. use these developments to evaluate whether the revegetation of agricultural land on the Cumberland Plain, west of Sydney, NSW, has led to the re-establishment of a grassy woodland. The evaluation system developed in this Thesis was designed to compare three key ecosystem attributes. First, to assess how restoration was progressing, the species richness, composition and vegetation structure of abandoned pasture (starting point), was compared to that of restored vegetation of differing ages (putative mid points), and remnants (goal or end point). Refinements of the previous assessment models included formulation of predictions about native and exotic species richness and composition under the assumption that restoration was succeeding, and explicit testing of these predictions by planned comparisons and trajectory analysis of species composition. Second, the small-scale effects of planted tree canopies on species composition were assessed to test the hypothesis that native tree canopies facilitate the return of natives. Third, the effects of fire and neighbour removal on seedling emergence and establishment in pasture, restored vegetation and remnants were examined to explore what factors controlled germination and establishment. The results of this study indicate that to date, there has been a partial success of the restoration program at the study sites: while native species have returned unaided to restored sites, the trajectory of native species composition was not in the direction of remnants. There was however, increased species richness of exotic species detected underneath planted tree canopies. Patterns of seedling emergence observed in this study suggest that recruitment plays a role in the maintenance of the species composition found in restored vegetation, with seedling emergence dominated by exotics The evaluation methodology developed within this Thesis is a transparent and accurate way to measure ecological changes in vegetation that have occurred as a result of restoration.The restoration evaluation methodology further developed here will be useful to an industry that involves tree planting, landcare, revegetation and bush regeneration. It will complement guidelines provided by government and other sources that advise on practical aspects of revegetation and will be one of the few which have examined the success of revegetation in ecological terms that are founded on sound scientific basis. / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Estuarine habitats along the temperate south-eastern shores of Australia are generally made up of salt marsh, mangrove forests and seagrass beds. In urban areas these habitats have been progressively fragmented as a result of population increase and industrial expansion. Salt marshes in particular have been vulnerable to urban expansion and reclamation because of their close proximity to densely populated areas, while mangrove forests have been less often reclaimed because of frequent tidal inundation. The effect of reclamation of salt marshes on the biotic assemblages and functioning of mangrove forests with an adjacent salt marsh, park or bund wall was examined at nine separate locations on the Parramatta River, Sydney NSW. A mensurative approach was used to describe the patterns of distribution and abundance of macro fauna at several temporal and spatial scales. The implications for management are that salt marshes are an integral part of estuaries, and smaller patches of salt marsh are just as important as larger patches in maintaining the diversity of faunal assemblages and ecosystem functioning in mangrove forests in urban areas / Master of Science (Hons)

Australia has a lower teenage fertility rate than other industrialised English-speaking countries. However, with over 11,000 births and 12,000 abortions to teenagers each year, the resolution of teenage pregnancy is an issue faced by many young Australian women. ¶ This research seeks to explore the factors that discriminate between those who terminate and those who continue a teenage pregnancy. To achieve this aim a survey was conducted on young ever-pregnant women throughout New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory. The survey sought information on young women’s characteristics on three different levels: individual; institutional; and societal or cultural. ¶ The findings suggest that, at each of the three levels proposed, there are factors that discriminate between young women who choose abortion and those who choose motherhood. At the individual level, attitudes to abortion and career aspirations were found to affect pregnancy resolution. At the institutional level factors relating to education, family, relationships and religion were found to discriminate between the two groups. Finally, at the cultural level, ethnicity and area of residence were found to be associated with pregnancy resolution, in addition to modifying the effect of characteristics at other levels.

The research outlined in this thesis explores the issue of the effective principal through the perceptions of a sample of senior primary aged school students. The study originated due to a concern that too much of the current literature concerning effective schools and effective principals relies on the views of significant adults. Given that students are the focus of the school's and principal's energy it is difficult to understand why their views have not been sought more frequently. This study was initiated and conducted in an effort to determine what is was that students expected of the effective principal. The research is based on content analysis of the written responses from a sample of one hundred and ninety five senior primary aged school students aged between ten and twelve years from an education district in an education region of the New South Wales Public School System and in addition one to one interviews with a group of thirty students. The analysis resulted in the development of two sets of descriptors. One set of descriptors outline the fourteen most significant Behaviour Descriptors of the effective principal as perceived by the senior primary aged students surveyed while the other set outlines the eleven most significant Quality Descriptors of the effective principal. These two sets of descriptors of the effective principal have much support in the effective schools research. One area notably different however is the emphasis given by the students to the need for the principal to develop positive, warm and caring relationships with each student in the school. Although students were realistic in their understanding of what this implied they were adamant and consistent in their desire for such a relationship in order that the principal be deemed effective. The results of the study provide specific, clear, unambiguous descriptions of behaviours and qualities expected of the effective principal by the students surveyed. The descriptors are presented in a manner useful to practitioners.

This field study is the result of observations of stress and disquiet among educational administrators. Two survey instruments, one to a population of A.C.E.A. members in five states and two territories of Australia, and a refined survey to administrators in two Metropolitan West Inspectorates in N.S.W. were employed. An attempt was made to look at perceived deficits, in areas considered necessary skills for educational administrators, over variables of state, sex, age, level of institution, government/nongovernment systems, status, tenure and educational administration qualifications. From the outset it was realized that the nature of the study would have to be essentially to generate directions of future specific research since there was little Australian research in the areas being surveyed. This became more obvious as data was collected and possible causes for stress, perceived deficits, and the related poor morale multiplied with each set of comments received. The only conclusion that could be unequivocal was that the areas of administrator morale, training, selection, support, style and role perception are urgently in need of in-depth research as are the effects on educational institutions of policy processes, socio-political factors and community expectations. Even with a wider literature search it becomes obvious that there is a need for researchers to rethink theory in terms of social realities and human and socio-political possibilities rather than continue building theories which have little or no effect on the education received by an Australian student in the 1980's. It is equally evident that the solution for the obvious administrator malaise and powerlessness expressed by respondents is in their own hands via a quest for excellence in education, relevance to society and socio-political understanding.

This work is a case-study in curriculum development in secondary school science education, especially senior science, in New South Wales during the decade 1962-1972. The situation became exceptionally complex and grew out of the reorganisation of the secondary school curriculum recommended by the so-called Wyndham Committee in 1957. A completely new concept of science was offered to students of the State when biology was given increased status beside the physical sciences - physics and chemistry. This combination of material was examined in a very special way and Science (in this broad sense) was also tied administratively to mathematics. In 1966 a complicated syllabus was presented to students and teachers with negligible advance preparation of teachers, no period of familiarisation and no in-service support. Almost no explanation of the rationale behind such a novel and untried scheme was offered. The response of teachers and students was initially one of stunned silence. Very quickly this developed into hostility to the content, to its serious overloading and to the restriction of practical work. Teachers, parents and some members of the Universities expressed grave misgivings not only about the suitability of the course as a preparation for tertiary studies, but also about the completely unsatisfactory nature of the texts offered, about the examination method adopted, and about the restrictions on the personal aspirations of students for some degree of specialisation in their senior studies. The Universities became very interested in the discussions then appearing in the newspapers. Academics took sides either attacking or defending the concepts underlying the course; their points of view being based largely on the performance of the students at university level. The campaign for change began with a band of very vocal teachers working through the Teachers' Federation. These were supported by academics in promoting a series of public meetings. Parallel to this a campaign spearheaded by Professor Alexander of Sydney University was initiated in the Press. The defence of the new courses was taken up by Professors Messel and Butler of the same University. To maintain the impetus for the change in curriculum, the Secondary Schools Science Association was formed by persons interested and very involved in the curriculum. Intricately woven into the pattern of discontent with and strenuous defence of the Wyndham courses, among teachers there was a groundswell of positive aspirations towards the understanding of and clarification of the aims of science teaching in New South Wales. This resulted in the preparation of a document which contained guidelines for both teaching and curriculum development: it was subsequently adopted by the Board of Senior School Studies. This same Board was, by then, very much aware of the discontent with the new courses and various modifications of them were considered. Attempts to accommodate teacher, student and university aspirations resulted in firstly the appointment of Curriculum Development Officers to assist the Science Syllabus Committee and, parallel to this, a willingness to permit trial of science courses which had been developed for use in the United States of America and in other states of Australia. Once the decision was made in December, 1969 to permit the trialling of other courses, a Committee was set up to evaluate these courses as well as the existing Wyndham courses. This Committee reported favourably on the new courses and after some false starts the Board of Senior School Studies not only extended the trials of the new courses, but in 1975 the old Wyndham courses were abolished and superseded. Complications arising from the personalities involved, from people with vested interests in certain educational theories, from the authors of the specially published texts, from the Publishing Houses which were to provide the new texts became very tangled indeed. Similar difficulties were encountered by the Curriculum Development Officers who later directed the adoption of the new courses to a conclusion satisfactory to the Science Syllabus Committee and the Board of Senior School Studies.

A study of the nature of entrepreneurial activity and its use in furthering our understanding of small business establishment. An ethnographic study is presented of the business perspectives of a group of business entrepreneurs in the Riverina region of N.S.W. and a conceptual framework is developed for consideration of various qualitative issues involved in establishing a small business.