| Effective Term: | 2024/20 |
| Institute / School : | Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability |
| Unit Title: | Scientific Practice |
| Unit ID: | SCCOR1300 |
| Credit Points: | 15.00 |
| Prerequisite(s): | Nil |
| Co-requisite(s): | Nil |
| Exclusion(s): | (ENCOR1015 and MATHS1000) |
| ASCED: | 010199 |
| Other Change: | |
| Brief description of the Unit |
Scientific Practice provides students with an opportunity to develop the essential mathematical skills and knowledge needed for the analysis and interpretation of data in science. Throughout this unit students will have multiple opportunities to develop their confidence and competence in identifying and applying mathematical and statistical concepts to scientific questions and will learn how to communicate the outcomes of this in a suitable manner. After successfully completing this unit, students will be able to demonstrate competency in the applications of both mathematical and statistical concepts and principles in science including: scientific data, equations in science, linear relationships, logarithmic and exponential functions, rates of change, statistics for science, distributions and uncertainty, scientific investigations, parametric tests. |
| Grade Scheme: | Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF) |
| Work Experience Indicator: |
| Placement Component: No |
| Supplementary Assessment: |
| Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment |
| Course Level: |
| Level of Unit in Course | AQF Level(s) of Course | | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | | Introductory | | |  | | | | | Intermediate | | | | | | | | Advanced | | | | | | |
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| Learning Outcomes: |
| Knowledge: |
| K1. | Recognise commonly used mathematical functions and models and their relevance to science. |
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| K2. | Recognise the uses and relevance of statistics in science. |
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| K3. | Distinguish 2D and 3D geometrical properties relevant to the science disciplines. |
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| K4. | Recognise the uses and relevance of elementary descriptive statistics in the science disciplines. |
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| K5. | Explain rates of change and area as applied to graphs. |
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| Skills: |
| S1. | Demonstrate confidence with basic calculation skills required for science. |
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| S2. | Use appropriate technology to investigate, solve and display scientific data. |
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| S3. | Manipulate algebraic expressions accurately. |
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| S4. | Use functions involving powers, logarithms and exponents. |
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| S5. | Present data graphically and use numerical summaries. |
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| S6. | Think critically when analysing problems. |
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| S7. | Model physical situations mathematically. |
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| Application of knowledge and skills: |
| A1. | Identify and apply appropriate mathematical methods to scientific data and problems. |
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| A2. | Identify and apply appropriate statistical methods to scientific data and problems. |
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| A3. | Analyse mathematical data, drawing appropriate conclusions and communicating this in a scientific manner |
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| Unit Content: |
Scientific practice focuses on building student confidence and competence in mathematical and statistical knowledge and skills necessary for the science disciplines.
Topics may include:
1. Applications of mathematical concepts and principles in science including: scientific data, equations in science, linear relationships, logarithmic and exponential functions, rates of change.
2. Applications of statistical concepts and principles in science including: statistics for science, distributions and uncertainty, scientific investigations, parametric tests, non-parametric tests, correlation and regression, frequency and proportion. |
| Graduate Attributes: |
| Federation University recognises that students require key transferable employability skills to prepare them for their future workplace and society. FEDTASKS (Transferable Attributes Skills and Knowledge) provide a targeted focus on five key transferable Attributes, Skills, and Knowledge that are be embedded within curriculum, developed gradually towards successful measures and interlinked with cross-discipline and Co-operative Learning opportunities. One or more FEDTASK, transferable Attributes, Skills or Knowledge must be evident in the specified learning outcomes and assessment for each FedUni Unit, and all must be directly assessed in each Course.
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| FED TASK and descriptor | Development and acquisition of FEDTASKS in the Unit | Learning outcomes
(KSA) | Assessment task
(AT#) | FEDTASK 1
Interpersonal | Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate, inter-act and work with others both individually and in groups. Students will be required to display skills in-person and/or online in: • Using effective verbal and non-verbal communication • Listening for meaning and influencing via active listening • Showing empathy for others • Negotiating and demonstrating conflict resolution skills • Working respectfully in cross-cultural and diverse teams. | Not applicable | Not applicable | FEDTASK 2
Leadership | Students will demonstrate the ability to apply professional skills and behaviours in leading others. Students will be required to display skills in: • Creating a collegial environment • Showing self -awareness and the ability to self-reflect • Inspiring and convincing others • Making informed decisions • Displaying initiative | Not applicable | Not applicable | FEDTASK 3
Critical Thinking and Creativity | Students will demonstrate an ability to work in complexity and ambiguity using the imagination to create new ideas. Students will be required to display skills in: • Reflecting critically • Evaluating ideas, concepts and information • Considering alternative perspectives to refine ideas • Challenging conventional thinking to clarify concepts • Forming creative solutions in problem solving. | S6 | A1, AT2 | FEDTASK 4
Digital Literacy | Students will demonstrate the ability to work fluently across a range of tools, platforms and applications to achieve a range of tasks. Students will be required to display skills in: • Finding, evaluating, managing, curating, organising and sharing digital information • Collating, managing, accessing and using digital data securely • Receiving and responding to messages in a range of digital media • Contributing actively to digital teams and working groups • Participating in and benefiting from digital learning opportunities. | Not applicable | Not applicable | FEDTASK 5
Sustainable and Ethical Mindset | Students will demonstrate the ability to consider and assess the consequences and impact of ideas and actions in enacting ethical and sustainable decisions. Students will be required to display skills in: • Making informed judgments that consider the impact of devising solutions in global economic environmental and societal contexts • Committing to social responsibility as a professional and a citizen • Evaluating ethical, socially responsible and/or sustainable challenges and generating and articulating responses • Embracing lifelong, life-wide and life-deep learning to be open to diverse others • Implementing required actions to foster sustainability in their professional and personal life. | Not applicable | Not applicable |
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| | Learning Outcomes Assessed | Assessment Tasks | Assessment Type | Weighting | | 1. | A1-A3 | Demonstrated satisfactory engagement with weekly tutorial and online activities. | Participation | 10- 20% | | 2. | K1-K2, S1-S3, A1-A3 | Completion of online learning modules which could include; worked solutions to problems, written explanations of mathematical concepts, online Moodle quizzes. | Portfolio(s) | 40 - 60% | | 3. | K1-K2, S1-S3, A1-A3 | Identify and apply appropriate mathematical methods to solve science-based problems and communicate the findings in an appropriate manner. | Assignment(s) | 30 - 50% |
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