UnitLevel 2Undergraduate

SCI2010 Scientific practice and communication

Faculty of Science

SCI2010 Scientific practice and communication is a level 2, 6-credit-point, undergraduate unit from the Faculty of Science, offered in 2020 in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton and Malaysia. It has no prerequisites.

Credit points
6
Offered in 2020
Semester 1, Semester 2
Clayton, Malaysia
Assessment
Exam 20%
and 1 other task

This is the 2020 handbook entry. See the 2025 entry.

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Requisites

Before SCI2010

No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.

After SCI2010

No unit lists SCI2010 as a prerequisite in the 2020 handbook.

Enrolment rules

PREREQUSITE: 36 credit points of university units

PROHIBITION: SCI2015

If you are enrolled in S3001 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Global Challenges (Honours) or BS3002 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Research (Honours) you are prohibited from enrolling in this unit.

Equivalent units

The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.

Overview

Science and technology are the cornerstone of modern life. Most people, however do not understand how discoveries are made and this can be partially attributed to a lack of effective science communication. There are two aspects to Science Practice and Communication (SCI2010). In one you will examine the origins of science and how it is practiced (e.g. the scientific process, how science progresses and the mechanisms that regulate science). The second aspect focuses on how scientists communicate their science to diverse audiences. This unit will equip and develop your key scientific skills of critical thinking (ability to acquire and assess the validity of scientific information); initiative and independence (conceptualise, propose and refine a current research topic as well as project management); oral and written communication and teamwork (group activities and assessment). You will complete assignments that focus on improving your written and verbal communication to a range of audiences including other scientists, politicians, industry, managers, funding bodies and the general public. The topics and skills covered in SCI2010 will give you a solid foundation on which to forge a professional career, whether it is directly related to science or in an adjacent discipline.

Offerings in 2020

Teaching periodCampusMode
First semesterClaytonOn campus
First semesterMalaysiaOn campus
First semester (Fully flex)ClaytonFlexible
Second semesterClaytonOn campus
Second semesterMalaysiaOn campus

Assessment

  • In-semester continuous assessmentThreshold hurdle
    80%
  • Examination (1 hour and 40 minutes)Threshold hurdle
    20%

Learning outcomes

When you finish this unit, you should be able to:

  1. 1

    Describe how science works and the regulatory mechanisms for ensuring ethical scientific practice

  2. 2

    Acquire, critically analyse and communicate complex scientific ideas and information.

  3. 3

    Apply core strategies to effectively communicate science with diverse audiences, across various modes.

  4. 4

    Conceptualise and refine a research topic using the scientific process.

  5. 5

    Adapt your practices and communication to address the rise of misinformation in a changing landscape.

Workload and teaching

  • Tutorials24 hours
  • Teaching approachActive learning

Two hours of pre-class directed activities per week, or equivalent.

One 2-hour tutorial per week, or equivalent.

Two hours of post-class directed activities per week, or equivalent.

Six hours of independent study per week, or equivalent.

This unit employs online active learning approaches. This consists of: Two hours of pre-tutorial online self-directed learning per week, or equivalent; One 2-hour online tutorial per week, or equivalent; Two hours of post-tutorial online self-directed learning per week, or equivalent; and six hours of independent study per week, or equivalent.

Learning resources

Required resources

Bring your own device

Where it fits

SCI2010 is part of 1 area of study in the 2020 handbook.

Contacts

Unit Coordinators
Dr Bronwyn Isaac
Dr Joash Ban Lee Tan
Chief Examiners
Dr Bronwyn Isaac

Common questions

What are the prerequisites for SCI2010?

SCI2010 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.

When is SCI2010 offered?

In 2020, SCI2010 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton and Malaysia.

Does SCI2010 have an exam?

Yes. The exam is worth 20% of the final mark, alongside 1 other task.

Which majors and minors include SCI2010?

SCI2010 is part of Environmental security.

More details

Credit points
6
Level
2
Study level
Undergraduate
Faculty
Faculty of Science
Type
Coursework
EFTSL
0.125
Student contribution
SCA Band 2
Study abroad
Not available
Handbook years
202020212022202320242025