BSC100 Building Blocks for Science Students

Transcription

1 BSC100 Building Blocks for Science Students Unit description Approaching science requires an understanding of the scientific method and skills. This unit facilitates student transition into university learning and gives the framework of skills students need for their studies in science. The lectures focus on a variety of information and associated skills, which are then developed through two hour weekly tutorial sessions. These skills include literacy; numeracy and information technology; the ability to collect, analyse and evaluate information; to think clearly, critically and creatively; and discipline-specific skills in scholarly research, communication and ethical practice. It is expected that on completion of BSC100 students will have basic skills in the use of software such as Word, PowerPoint and the Excel spreadsheet package. Excel is used in tutorials (in computer laboratories) to carry out numerical calculations and statistical analyses. Prerequisites There are no formal prerequisites for this unit. Learning outcomes for the unit On successful completion of this unit students should be able to: 1. Explain the scientific method and demonstrate its application. 2. Understand and identify appropriate mathematical tools to interpret and assess experimental data. 3. Understand and apply the rules of academic integrity, by: a. understanding the principles of referencing and applying a citation method to these principles; and b. recognising the importance of the validity of sources used. 4. Appreciate the ethical issues underpinning science. 5. Learn autonomously, by a. thinking and reading critically; and b. engaging in self-management, organisation, and critical reflection. 6. Effectively explain scientific data, information, and arguments to both scientific peer groups and the broader community in written, oral and interpersonal formats through: a. producing summaries and critical analyses of lectures and readings; b. producing reviews of scientific literature, e.g. as contextual introductions to laboratory reports; c. providing assessment feedback to peers; and d. working in a team to produce an analysis or evaluation of scientific technical data or principles. Graduate attributes developed in the unit This unit will contribute to the development of the following Graduate Attributes: Communication Independent and lifelong learning Critical and creative thinking Ethics Social interaction

2 Study schedule Week Lecture topic Tutorial activities Assessment Comp 5 Comp Introduction to university Using LMS and the Numeracy Modules Scientific method Reading and critical thinking Academic integrity Referencing Assessing data Searching scientific literature Library databases and catalogues 6 Non-teaching week 7 Comp Writing in Science 8 Comp Modelling data Learning from lectures and tutorials, note-taking and time management Writing exercise Reading exercise Review Referencing exercises Working with statistical information and data Computing skills in Excel Researching skills, search methods and strategies Report writing exercises Formatting skills in Word Using mathematical models, formulae in Excel Tutorial participation (continuing) Numeracy modules due Week 3 Annotated bibliography due Week 5 9 Oral presentation skills Giving an oral presentation Collaborating and creativity Ideas for presentation topic Report: Part A due Week 9 10 Science communication Disseminating research Skills for thinking and collaborating 11 Non-teaching week Changing scales in science 12 Using peer review Oral presentations Exercises using peer review and feedback Oral Presentations in tutorials Weeks Safety, risk and intellectual property Oral presentations Changing scales exercises 14 Exam preparation 15 Study break Exam Period Oral presentations Sample Exam workshop Report: Part B due Week 14 2 Murdoch University

3 BSC100 Building Blocks for Science Students COURSE OUTLINE S Week 1. Introduction to University 2. Note-taking skills; Using LMS and the Numeracy Modules. 3. Scientific Method 4. Scientific Reading 5. Academic Integrity 6. Referencing 7. Assessing Data 1 8. Assessing Data 2 9. Searching Scientific Literature 10. Using the Library Lecture Content Welcome by BSC100 staff, Student Advisors and CUTL staff Other Murdoch resources and centres, Guild, MAP Note-taking styles: Cornell (blocks); Outlining; Charting (tabular); Mapping (draws relationships); Sentence A walk through the BSC100 online unit on LMS Explanation of Numeracy Module assessment online e.g. decimals, ratios and proportions, units, graphs, scientific notation, tables, mean and SD. The PEL model of science - presuppositions, evidence and logic. The hypothesis testing approach. The role of controls and replicates in scientific experiments. The difference between deduction and induction. Ethical values in science. Critical thinking what is it and why is it important. Reading a journal article, structure of a journal article. Sources and quality of sources. Critical reading what to look for. Plagiarism, collusion, ghost writing, purloining Academic misconduct penalties. How to avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism in Science The importance of referencing. Styles of referencing. In-text citations. Bibliographies. Reading data analysis in journals and other research reports. The research question and its context. Assessing data in articles, graphs and tables of different forms. Working with Excel to assess different types of raw data. Calculating basic statistics on Excel mean, median, standard deviation; and interpreting their meaning. Which graph to use to suit the data and the research question. Producing circle graphs, (multiple) line graphs, bar graphs and scatterplots on Excel. Showing variation in data with standard deviations and error bars. Development of scientific literature. Categories of publications primary and secondary sources. Literature Review process. Logic Operators AND, OR, NOT. Databases and search tools. Library Databases and Catalogues and searches. Subject Guides. Search strategies. Evaluating information. Referencing guides. Murdoch University 3

4 11. Science Writing Skills Argumentative Essays 12. Science Writing Skills Scientific Reports 13. Modelling data Modelling data Oral Presentation Skills 16. Scientific Collaboration and Creativity 17. Science Communication 18. Disseminating Research 19. Changing Scales 20. Using Peer Review 21. Safety, Risk Management 22. Intellectual Property 23. Exam Preparation 24. Sample Exam Questions Analysing the essay question and argument structure. Assertion, Reasoning, Evidence model. Forming a thesis statement. Writing your essay. Report structure: Title, Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results, Discussion, Conclusion, References. Hypothesis and aim of research. Order of writing the sections. Mathematical models and uses of models. Systems of Units. Basic equations and rearranging equations. Examples of models. Factors in the development of models. Population growth models. Exponential models. SIR model for infectious diseases. Construction of presentation: Introduction, Body, Conclusion. Delivery and body language. Use of visual aids. Preparation and how to answer questions. Global collaboration. International research and the need for creativity. Building research teams. Skills for collaboration. Collaboration example. Need for communication of science. Identifying purpose and audience. Writing or speaking styles- journals, conferences, posters. Formal and informal communication news, digital forms. Publishing. Good Science shown in a research project example. Teamwork, international collaboration and stakeholder engagement. Communication, social and online media. Innovative technology. Citizen science. Transparency and trust Appropriate units. Orders of magnitude. Significant figures and using numbers sensibly. Rate conversions. Science changing with scale. Purpose of scientific literature. Quality control the peer review process. Who are peer reviewers? Using peer review for improvement Safety in the workplace, OHS. Types of risk and hazards. Safety data sheets and labelling. Risk Management process Intellectual Property. Types of protection. Patents Exam conditions at university. How to prepare. Revision of topics in BSC100. Working through sample exam questions. 4 Murdoch University

5 Assessment Students are assessed on the basis of: Assessment Item Tutorial Description Value Aligned Learning Outcomes Due dates Tutorial preparation/participation 5% 1-6 Continuous Numeracy modules 5% 2, 5 Week 3 Skills Report Annotated bibliography 10% 3, 5, 6a Oral presentation 10% 1, 3, 5, 6a -b Part A Preliminary sections of report 10% 1, 2, 3, 5,6a-b Part B Full report 30% 1, 2, 3, 5,6a-b Week 5 Weeks in tutorials Week 9 Week 14 Exam Examination (closed book) 30% 1, 2, 3, 6a-b Assessment period Assessment details Tutorial participation (5%) Students are expected to complete weekly tutorial preparation including lecture summaries. External students are guided by their tutor with preparation and activities provided in the External Online Tutorials section of the BSC100 online unit. Skills - Numeracy (5%) In the BSC100 online unit there is a series of numeracy modules and associated quizzes which must be completed by the end of Week 3. The 17 numeracy modules review key skills for science. These modules have been designed to support the use of mathematical ideas and skills at university. Each module focuses on a topic, and consists of a PowerPoint presentation followed by a short quiz. For this assessment, completion of ten designated modules is required. Skills - Annotated bibliography (10%) This assessment consists of a summary and comparison of sources covering the same topic. The aim of the assignment is to develop reading, referencing and critical thinking skills in a science context. The bibliography (as with other written assessments in BSC100) is put through Turnitin and then submitted electronically by the end of Week 5. Skills - Oral Presentation (10%) To develop science communication skills, all students give a five minute oral presentation (with associated PowerPoint slides) during Weeks of semester, on a given topic which they can relate to their own discipline area. Presentations are assessed on the basis of structure, content and delivery. Murdoch University 5

6 Report The aim of this scientific report assessment is to develop skills in academic writing and simple data analysis. Students are given a choice of topics, each with an associated data set. Students must produce a written report on the topic, which is assessed in two parts. Students receive feedback on Part A which should be revised as necessary and then incorporated into Part B, which consists of the entire scientific report. A minimum of 4 and no more than 8 appropriate references must be used in the specified referencing style. Report - Part A (10%) Part A consists of the preliminary sections for a scientific report, i.e. the introduction and methods sections, and a description of the intended data analysis. It is limited to 750 words. Report - Part B (30%) The scientific report is a complete overview of the data analysis that the student has undertaken. It should be no more than 1500 words and cover: Introduction Methods Results Discussion Conclusion Examination The two-hour BSC100 examination involves multiple choice, written and short answer questions. Contacts For further information about BSC100, please contact the Unit Coordination Team: Dr Alasdair Dempsey (A.Dempsey@murdoch.edu.au) School of Psychology and Exercise Sciences Ms Carolyn Jones (C.Jones@murdoch.edu.au) School of Veterinary and Life Sciences Dr Helen Middleton (H.Middleton@murdoch.edu.au) School of Engineering and Information Technology 6 Murdoch University