SCI2015 Scientific practice and communication (advanced)
Faculty of Science
SCI2015 Scientific practice and communication (advanced) 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. It has no prerequisites.
- Credit points
- 6
- Offered in 2020
- Semester 1, Semester 2
- Clayton
- Assessment
- Exam 30%
- and 2 other tasks
The 2027 handbook has no page for SCI2015. This is its 2020 entry, the latest one.
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Requisites
Before SCI2015
No prerequisites or corequisites besides the enrolment rules below.
After SCI2015
No unit lists SCI2015 as a prerequisite in the 2020 handbook.
Enrolment rules
PROHIBITION: SCI2010
Students enrolled in S3001 Bachelor of Science Advanced - Global Challenges (Honours) are prohibition from enrolling in this unit.
PREREQUISITE: Enrolment in Bachelor of Science Advanced (Research).
If you are enrolled in other courses with two semesters of first year university study (48 credit points), with a minimum of a Distinction average (70%) across 24 credit points of science units, you are also eligible to apply through Science Student Services (limited places available).
Equivalent units
The same content under another code. Only one of them counts.
Overview
This unit prepares you for scientific research by providing practical and theoretical training in planning, undertaking and documenting scientific research projects. You will examine the core elements of modern science by looking back at the people, cultures, events and discoveries that allowed science to emerge and contribute to the establishment of key concepts such as empiricism, scepticism and rationalism. This unit will equip you with skills to assess the validity of scientific information, to distinguish between real science, bad science and pseudoscience. The value of science in solving real world issues and improving the human condition are discussed using current examples. You are exposed to recent advances in current and emerging research areas through journal presentations. You will complete assignments that will help improve their written and verbal communication to a range of audiences including scientists, politicians, granting agencies, the general public and scientifically literate generalists, and identifies pathways to becoming a scientific researcher. You are encouraged to submit your scientific literature reviews for publication in Reinvention, a Journal for Undergraduate Research.
Offerings in 2020
| Teaching period | Campus | Mode |
|---|---|---|
| First semester | Clayton | On campus |
| First semester (Fully flex) | Clayton | Flexible |
| Second semester | Clayton | On campus |
Assessment
- Assignment 1: Research projectThreshold hurdle50%
- Tutorial activities20%
- Examination (2 hours and 10 minutes)30%
Learning outcomes
When you finish this unit, you should be able to:
- 1
Carry out a research project to address a research question on an open topic by accessing and critically analysing information sourced from primary scientific literature.
- 2
Outline how scientific research is conducted, funded and communicated and identify pathways for becoming a scientific researcher.
- 3
Describe the historical origins of science and the progress of the scientific endeavour.
- 4
Discuss the purposes of, and methods behind, effective science communication and identify how approaches can be adapted for different audiences.
- 5
List the ways in which science is regulated and assess their effectiveness in promoting ethical professional practice.
Workload and teaching
- Tutorials24 hours
- Teaching approachResearch activities
- 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
Recommended resources
Suggested readings. Most provided on Moodle. Others can be purchased or accessed via reading list.
Contacts
- Unit Coordinators
- Dr Bronwyn Isaac
- Chief Examiners
- Dr Bronwyn Isaac
Common questions
What are the prerequisites for SCI2015?
SCI2015 has no prerequisites, but enrolment rules apply.
When is SCI2015 offered?
In 2020, SCI2015 runs in Semester 1 and Semester 2 at Clayton.
Does SCI2015 have an exam?
Yes. The exam is worth 30% of the final mark, alongside 2 other tasks.
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
- 2020