锘� Course specification for SCI1901

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Course specification
The current and official versions of the course specifications are available on the web at .
Please consult the web for updates that may occur during the year.

SCI1901 Science Fundamentals

Semester 1, 2020 Online
Short Description: Science Fundamentals
Units : 1
Faculty or Section : Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences
School or Department : School of Sciences
Student contribution band : Band 2
ASCED code : 019999 - Natural and Physical Sciences
Grading basis : Graded

Staffing

Examiner:

Rationale

An enthusiasm for and an understanding of science and its processes is essential if we are to produce skilled individuals with the capacity to identify, and develop effective solutions to current and future challenges for the world and Australia in particular. A basic knowledge and understanding of key areas of science and skills in critically analysing new developments and proposed solutions to problems is required if we are to adequately evaluate options proposed by science and technology. The course will be suitable for current teachers and future teachers and other professionals seeking to upgrade their knowledge of science.

Synopsis

This course provides an introduction to science as a process of inquiry and to key areas of science that underpin many of the disciplines of science and technology. The course examines energy and forces, physical and chemical properties of materials, the Solar System, the shaping of the Earth and the properties of its rocks and minerals, evolution of living things and their characteristics, human impacts on ecosystems and landscapes and the concept of sustainability. The course is aimed primarily at students with little prior knowledge of science, who seek increased knowledge and skills in science, to assist in professional accreditation and personal development.

Objectives

On successful completion of this course students should be able to:

  1. Display a fundamental knowledge of the main branches of Science;
  2. Apply a range of skills, associated with the Scientific Method, to determine and explain probable achieved result;
  3. Apply current methods and technologies to communicate Scientific knowledge;
  4. Communicate effectively to a range of audiences to deliver specific knowledge;
  5. Apply a knowledge base of the fundamentals of Science to a range of different contexts and problems.

Topics

Description Weighting(%)
1. Science: A Process of Enquiry 10.00
2. Energy and Forces 15.00
3. Materials 15.00
4. The Solar System 15.00
5. Shaping the Earth 15.00
6. Living Things 15.00
7. Human Impacts on the Earth 15.00

Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed

ALL textbooks and materials available to be purchased can be sourced from (unless otherwise stated). (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/textbooks/?year=2020&sem=01&subject1=SCI1901)

Please for alternative purchase options from USQ Bookshop. (https://omnia.usq.edu.au/info/contact/)

Paul G. Hewitt, Suzanne A Lyons, John A. Suchocki, Jennifer Yeh 2013, Conceptual Integrated Science, 2nd edn, Addison-Wesley. (ISBN-10: 0321818504. ISBN-13: 9780321818508).

Reference materials

Reference materials are materials that, if accessed by students, may improve their knowledge and understanding of the material in the course and enrich their learning experience.
OpenStax free online Science Textbooks: .

Student workload expectations

Activity Hours
Assignments 30.00
Directed 精东传媒app 71.00
Examinations 2.00
Online Tutorials 24.00
Private 精东传媒app 45.00

Assessment details

Description Marks out of Wtg (%) Due Date Notes
ASSIGNMENT 1 100 20 02 Apr 2020
ASSIGNMENT 2 40 20 28 May 2020
Take Home Exam 60 60 End S1 (see note 1)

Notes
  1. This will be an open examination. Students will be provided further instruction regarding the exam by their course examiner via 精东传媒appDesk. The examination date will be available via UConnect when the official examination timetable has been released.

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:
    Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks for that item.

    Requirements after S1 2020:
    To satisfactorily complete an individual assessment item a student must achieve at least 50% of the marks or a grade of at least C. (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:
    Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must achieve at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course.

    Requirements after S1 2020:
    To be assured of receiving a passing grade a student must obtain at least 50% of the total weighted marks available for the course (i.e. the Primary Hurdle).

    To be awarded a passing grade for a supplementary assessment item (if applicable), a student must achieve at least 50% of the available marks for the supplementary assessment item as per the Assessment Procedure (point 4.4.2).

  5. Method used to combine assessment results to attain final grade:
    The final grades for students will be assigned on the basis of the weighted aggregate of the marks obtained for each of the summative assessment items in the course.

  6. Examination information:
    Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: An Open Examination is one in which candidates may have access to any printed or written material and a calculator during the examination

    Requirements after S1 2020:
    This is a restricted examination. 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: calculators which cannot hold textual information (students must indicate on their examination paper the make and model of any calculator(s) they use during the examination); writing materials (non-electronic and free from material which could give the student an unfair advantage in the examination). 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.

  7. Examination period when Deferred/Supplementary examinations will be held:
    Due to COVID-19 the requirements for S1 2020 are: The details regarding deferred/supplementary examinations will be communicated at a later date

    Requirements after S1 2020:
    Any Deferred or Supplementary examinations for this course will be held during the next examination period.

  8. 精东传媒app Student Policies:
    Students should read the USQ policies: Definitions, Assessment and Student Academic Misconduct to avoid actions which might contravene 精东传媒app policies and practices. These policies can be found at .

Assessment notes

  1. The due date for an assignment is the date by which a student must despatch the assignment to USQ via the electronic submission on the course website. The onus is on the student to provide proof of the despatch date, if requested by the Examiner. Students must retain a copy of each item submitted for assessment. This must be produced within five days if required by the Examiner. In the event that a due date for an assignment falls on a local public holiday in their area, such as a Show holiday, the due date for the assignment will be the next day. Students are to note on the assignment cover the date of the public holiday for the Examiner's convenience.

  2. Students who, for medical, family/personal, or employment-related reasons, are unable to complete an assignment or to sit for an examination at the scheduled time may apply to defer an assessment in a course. Such a request must be accompanied by appropriate supporting documentation. One of the following temporary grades may be awarded IDS (Incomplete-Deferred Examination; IDM (Incomplete Deferred Make-up); IDB (Incomplete-Both Deferred Examination and Deferred Make-up).

  3. In accordance with Faculty of Health, Engineering and Sciences and USQ regulations, applications for extensions to assignment due dates must be made in writing to the Examiner before the assignment due date. Applications for extensions must be accompanied by appropriate documentary evidence.

  4. Harvard (AGPS) is the referencing system required in this course. Students should use Harvard (AGPS) style in their assignments to format details of the information sources they have cited in their work. The Harvard (AGPS) style to be used is defined by the USQ Library's referencing guide.

Date printed 19 June 2020