SCI1005 Scientific research and communication
Faculty of Science
SCI1005 Scientific research and communication is a level 1, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2025 in Semester 1 at Clayton. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2025
- Semester 1
- Clayton
- Assessment
- No exam
- 3 tasks
This is the 2025 handbook entry. See the 2027 entry.
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Requisites
Before SCI1005
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After SCI1005
No unit lists SCI1005 as a prerequisite in the 2025 handbook.
Enrolment rules
PREREQUISITE: Enrolment in the Bachelor of Science Advanced - Research (Honours)
PROHIBITION: SCI2010, SCI2015, SCI1000
Overview
SCI1005 will provide you with the foundational skills needed to be a practising scientist and effectively communicate your science to diverse audiences.
You will learn professional science-based skills, including:
- The ability to acquire and assess the validity of scientific information;
- The ability to conceptualise, propose and refine a current research topic;
- Managing an ongoing research project;
- Effective teamwork;
- Communicating effectively to diverse audiences in various formats.
You will also investigate scientific inquiry, science regulation, and the progression of science, and learn how to critically evaluate the global impact of science through advances in technology, knowledge, education, and the health of our planet and its species.
The skills you will develop in this unit will allow you to make a greater impact throughout your scientific career to influence positive societal change.
Offerings in 2025
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Research proposalWritten20%
- Communication of sciencePresentation40%
- Literature reviewWritten40%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Access, critically analyse, and synthesise scientific literature;
- 2
Conceptualise and refine a research topic using the process of scientific inquiry;
- 3
Communicate science effectively to diverse audiences, across multiple modes;
- 4
Critique your performance and that of your peers throughout the semester;
- 5
Critically interpret how the history, development, practice, and regulation of science have shaped society.
Workload and teaching
- Workshops24 hours
- Teaching approachActive learning
- Teaching approachResearch activities
- Teaching approachPeer assisted learning
- 2-hours of workshop activities;
- 4-hours of online interactive content (videos, readings and instruction and reflection) and
- 6 hours of completing assessments.
SCI1005 has three 4-week modules. The online modules will present the curriculum in readings, Moodle lessons and embedded videos. Interactive activities in each workshop aid you in completing your scientific research project.
Each assessment task will require you to research a topic and then communicate it using one of three formats. You will consult primary and additional literature on your chosen topic. You will formulate this knowledge into a communication piece suitable for the desired audience.
You will receive a component of your feedback on assessment tasks from other students. Using peer assessment tools, you will provide feedback to another student, or group of students, several times during the unit. The act of assessing your peers will support your own learning in the unit.
Learning resources
Required resources
Weekly Readings and Video Content via Moodle Lessons/Books
Weekly content will be arranged using “Moodle Lessons” or “Moodle Books” (format to be confirmed). These two formats arrange content into a linear learning experience, and step students through important content. An important advantage of this format is that ungraded formative assessment can be embedded throughout, allowing you to check your understanding and progress through the topic.
Feedback Fruits
Group effectiveness and peer assessment will be facilitated via Feedback Fruits, a Moodle-integrated platform.
Contacts
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Rosemarie Herbert
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Rosemarie Herbert
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for SCI1005?
SCI1005 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is SCI1005 offered?
In 2025, SCI1005 runs in Semester 1 at Clayton.
Does SCI1005 have an exam?
No. SCI1005 has 3 assessment tasks and no exam.