¾«¶«´«Ã½app

Staffing

Examiner:

Other requisites

Students are required to have access to a scientific calculator, personal computer, email capabilities and Internet access to UConnect. Current details of computer requirements can be found at

Rationale

Recent government initiatives related to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) related careers have seen a greater emphasis placed on science in undergraduate degrees. This course aims to provide students who do not feel confident about their knowledge of science with the basic concepts and skills necessary for further pursuit of the subject in undergraduate degrees that include nursing, teacher-education and general science. It also provides a useful foundation for students wishing to expand their understanding of science prior to entry into engineering related degrees.

Synopsis

Increasingly in today's world we are exposed to situations that require both a knowledge of science and an appreciation of scientific processes. The content of this course introduces students to scientific method, measurement in science, the nature of matter and contemporary scientific issues such as antibiotic resistance, genes and genetic technology and the causes and effects of climate change.

The course is structured to increase students' scientific literacy, particularly the ability to interpret, analyse and evaluate scientific data and to communicate effectively their findings. This will enable students to engage with scientific thought processes and content that is relevant both today and in the future.

Objectives

Topics

Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed

Reference materials

Student workload expectations

Assessment details

Important assessment information

1. Attendance requirements:
   
   There are no attendance requirements for this course. However, it is the students’ responsibility to study all material provided to them or required to be accessed by them to maximise their chance of meeting the objectives of the course and to be informed of course-related activities and administration.
   
   
2. Requirements for students to complete each assessment item satisfactorily:
   
   To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks for that item. Depending upon the requirements in Statement 4 below, students may not have to satisfactorily complete each assessment item to receive a passing grade in this course.
   
   
3. Penalties for late submission of required work:
   
   Students should refer to the Assessment Procedure (point 4.2.4)
   
   
4. Requirements for student to be awarded a passing grade in the course:
   
   To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.
   
   
5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
   
   The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the aggregate of the weighted marks obtained for each of the summative items for the course.
   
   
6. Examination information:
   
   RESTRICTED: Candidates are allowed access only to specific materials during a Restricted Examination.
   The only materials that candidates may use in the restricted examination for this course are:
   • writing materials (non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination)
   • calculators which cannot hold textual information
   • Students whose first language is not English, may, take an appropriate unmarked non electronic translation dictionary (but not technical dictionary) into the examination
   • Dictionaries with any handwritten notes will not be permitted. Translation dictionaries will be subject to perusal and may be removed from the candidate’s possession until appropriate disciplinary action is completed if found to contain material that could give the candidate an unfair advantage
   • An A4 sheet of notes handwritten or typed on both sides.
   
   
   
7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
   
   Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.
   
   
8. ¾«¶«´«Ã½app Student Policies:
   
   Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene ¾«¶«´«Ã½app policies and practices. These policies can be found at .
   
   

Assessment notes

1. Referencing in assignments must comply with the Harvard (AGPS) referencing system. This system should be used by students to format details of the information sources they have cited in their work. The Harvard (APGS) style to be used is defined by the USQ library's referencing guide. This guide can be found at .
   
   

Evaluation and benchmarking

In meeting the ¾«¶«´«Ã½app’s aims to establish quality learning and teaching for all programs, this course monitors and ensures quality assurance and improvements in at least two ways. This course:
1. conforms to the USQ Policy on Evaluation of Teaching, Courses and Programs to ensure ongoing monitoring and systematic improvement
2. forms part of the Higher Education Certificate of STEM Foundations and is benchmarked against the internal USQ accreditation/reaccreditation processes which include:
(i) stringent standards in the independent accreditation of its academic programs,
(ii) close integration between business and academic planning, and
(iii) regular and rigorous review.

Other requirements

1. Students should have a knowledge of DIP1004 Mathematical Literacy (or equivalent) or be currently enrolled in DIP1004 Mathematical Literacy.