Unit Outline

This unit provides a multidisciplinary introduction to the nature of science and scientific knowledge, the methods of science, and the communication of science. You will encounter perspectives on the nature and role of science in society and examine what science is, the importance of science for sustainable development and the role of ethical conduct in scientific endeavour. You will develop and enhance your scientific literacy to a level that will enable informed interpretation and communication of scientific information and an awareness of ethical conduct in scientific disciplines. This unit also incorporates learning through practice by exposing you to authentic learning experiences. These experiences are placed at the centre of learning and assessment, for you to develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours necessary to respond to industry, community and/or global needs. You will be introduced to: - a range of methods, tools, techniques and approaches to practice - principles and perspectives such as values, ethics, empathy and leadership in real world scenarios - reflection and deliberative thinking as a means of developing knowledge, skills, attitudes and aspirations - ways of understanding problems and developing solutions through active inquiry

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.	Describe the nature and purpose of scientific knowledge and inquiry in society
2.	Communicate problems, methods, and solutions relating to science-based problems
3.	Identify and explain the role of ethical conduct in science
4.	Reflect upon contemporary science and scientific issues and their impact on your personal and professional development

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Anti-requisite (mutual excl)	ZAS102

Alterations as a result of student feedback

To Be Determined

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:	What is Science?	Week 4	25 %	LO1, LO2, LO4
Assessment Task 2:	Dissecting Science Reports	Week 7	40 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	Portfolio and Reflective Journal	Week 13	35 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: What is Science?

Task Description:

At the commencement of this unit you will post a statement of your understanding of the role of science and scientific inquiry in society. You will then participate in a series of structured peer discussions based around the group's collective statements. You will document these discussions then write a reflection using the DEAL model (Ash & Clayton 2009) to describe, examine and articulate your learning experiences through the discussions considering your initial understanding of science. This task is designed to provide a snapshot on your original thought and opinions of science, and will enable you to look back on how your understanding of science and your scientific literacy develops during your learning experiences in this unit.

Task Length:

1000 words

Due Date:

Week 4

Weight:

25 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Engage in peer-to-peer discussion	LO2
2	Describe connections between science knowledge and skills across disciplines and perspectives	LO1
3	Reflect on own learning process, building on prior experiences to respond to new and challenging contexts	LO4
4	Communicate using prescribed academic writing and referencing conventions	LO2

Assessment Task 2: Dissecting Science Reports

Task Description:

You will be guided to select a ‘case study’ via a peer-reviewed journal article focusing on a specific aspect of applied science in an industry or sustainability setting.
You will then ‘dissect’ the case study paper and write a report that:
• Summarises key findings of the article (approx. 250 words)
• Explains the process, scientific approach or method that was used to develop and support these claims or findings (approx. 500 words); and
• Identifies and explains ethical considerations with the research (approx. 250 words)
• Provides an overall description of the information sources and/or references contained in the article (approx. 250 words)

Task Length:

1250 words

Due Date:

Week 7

Weight:

40 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Summarise the key findings of the article	LO2
2	Explain the process, approach or methods used to support the claims or findings in the case study	LO2
3	Summarise the sources of information and references	LO1
4	Identify and explain the potential ethical considerations relating to the study	LO3

Assessment Task 3: Portfolio and Reflective Journal

Task Description:

Throughout the unit, you will build an ePortfolio of coursework, comprising of specified tasks. You will reflect on how tasks impacted your learning and professional development. The ePortfolio template will be provided to you and is to be filled out over the course of the semester. At the conclusion of the unit, you will submit the ePortfolio and reflective components, and will include the following main sections:

• Learning activities: these will be specified by your tutor
• Workshop activities: questions development and Q&A panel notes
• Reflective journal: you will select from a suite of reflective questions to answer around specified themes. You may respond either in written form or as an
audio/video recording

Task Length:

Various as required

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Describes the nature of scientific inquiry	LO1
2	Communicate scientific information	LO2
3	Identify ethical issues and explain in various ethical contexts	LO3
4	Reflect upon personal and professional development in light of your engagement with science and scientific issues	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.