SCIENCE 1100 - Principles & Practice of Science I

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014

This course will introduce students to the broad array of scientific endeavour, the integrated nature of scientific disciplines, and the importance of scientific process and critical thinking. A number of key contemporary issues in science will be considered as frameworks for discussion and investigation. Students will also be introduced to skills for learning, academic writing and career development in the Sciences.

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Course Details

Course Code	SCIENCE 1100
Course	Principles & Practice of Science I
Coordinating Unit	Sciences General
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 6 hours per week
Restrictions	Available to BSc students only
Assessment	Reports & assignments

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Professor Simon Pyke

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from .

Course Learning Outcomes

The anticipated knowledge, skills and attitudes to be developed by the student in this course are:

1	An understanding of what science is and how it is both practiced and applied
2	Research skills (including acquisition, analysis and synthesis of complex scientific ideas and information)
3	Critical and logical thinking
4	Principles of academic honesty and ethical behaviour
5	Communication skills (primary emphasis will be on academic & reflective writing)

最新糖心Vlog Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	1,2,3
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	2,3
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	2,3,5
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	1,2,5
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	1,2,5
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	1,2
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	4
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	1,4

Learning & Teaching Modes

Classes will be devoted to group and open discussion of what science is and how it works. This will include introducing and developing scientific literacy skills (particularly skills related to finding, reading and interpreting scientific literature), consideration of key elements of scientific practice and utilisation of the developing scientific literacy skills.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

Contact time
Classes	4 hours per week (48 hours total)
Non-contact time
Workshop preparation	2 hours per week (24 hours total)
MyWritingLab (online)	10 hours total
Researcher profile	20 hours total
Information search	10 hours total
Annotated bibliography	15 hours total
Essay	20 hours total
Reflective writing	5 hours total

Learning Activities Summary

No information currently available.

Small Group Discovery Experience

The Small Group Discovery Experience in SCIENCE 1100 will take the form of meeting and interviewing an active researcher within the Faculty of Sciences about their development as a scientist and the research they are currently engaged in.

The 最新糖心Vlog's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Type of assessment	Percentage of total assessment for grading purposes
Writing skills assessment (MyWritingLab)	Diagnostic Summative	0% 20% (HURDLE)
Researcher Profile	Summative	20%
Major assignment: (i) Information search (ii) Annotated bibliography (iii) Essay	Formative/Summative Formative/Summative Summative	5% 15% 30% (HURDLE)
Reflective writing	Summative	10%

Assessment Detail

Writing skills assessment:
Writing skills will be assessed and developed using Pearson’s ‘MyWritingLab’. This task involves a diagnostic ‘pre-test’, which is used to generate an individually tailored study plan for each student. A predetermined ‘mastery’ level is set for each study plan component. Once the study plan has been completed then a summative ‘post-test’ is undertaken that will contribute 20% to the overall course mark.
A minimum level of performance (70%) is required in the ‘post-test’ in order to achieve a passing grade for the course.

Researcher Profile:
Each group of students (4 students per group) will interview a 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide researcher (academic staff or affiliate) focussing on the researcher’s views on science, the science the researcher engages in and the development of the researcher as a scientist. Results of the interview will be presented as a short video profile. Summative (20%) – 6 minute (max.) presentation; 300 word reflection.

Major Assignment:
This will be on a broad topic in science chosen and developed by each student. The task will consist of three components.

(i) Information search:
This will be the starting point for collection of sources to construct an evidence base in order to address the chosen topic. The intention is to focus on primary peer-reviewed sources. Formative & Summative (5%).

(ii) Annotated bibliography:
Development of the information search into the primary literature (a minimum of 6 primary peer-reviewed sources is required). Formative & Summative (15%); task length – 2000 words (max.).

(iii) Essay:
This will address the chosen topic and will be developed from the Annotated Bibliography. Summative (30%) – task length 1800-2000 words.
A minimum level of performance (50%) is required in order to achieve a passing grade for the course.

Reflective writing assignment:
For effective learning, new experiences need to be interesting, readily understood, believable and useful to the student. People often learn best when they can identify how new experiences alter their existing knowledge, skills and emotions. Describing and elaborating upon these experiences is an effective way to promote learning and professional development. This task will capture the ways in which students react to, or are affected by, their experiences in this course. Summative (10%); task length 450-500 words.

Submission

Submission of assessment tasks
Details of submission requirements for each piece of assigned work will be made available on MyUni. Some tasks may require submission through Turnitin ().

Return of assessed work
Work that has been assessed will be returned in class (where this is a practical). Work which is not returned in class can be collected from the Faculty of Sciences Office.

Extension for Assessment Tasks
Extensions of deadlines for assessment tasks may be allowed for reasonable causes. Such situations would include compassionate and medical grounds of the severity that would justify the awarding of a supplementary examination. Evidence for the grounds must be provided when an extension is requested. Students are required to apply for an extension to the Course Coordinator before the assessment task is due. Extensions will not be provided on the grounds of poor prioritising of time. The assessment extension application form can be obtained from: (see under ‘Forms for Students’).

Late submission of assessments
If an extension is not applied for, or not granted then a penalty for late submission will apply. Penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through .

Student Feedback

The 最新糖心Vlog places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the 最新糖心Vlog to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student鈥檚 disciplinary procedures.

The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The 最新糖心Vlog of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator

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