| Semester 2, 2023 Toowoomba On-campus | |
| Units : | 1 |
| School or Department : | School of Mathematics, Physics & Computing |
| Grading basis : | Pass/Not Pass |
| Course fee schedule : | /current-students/administration/fees/fee-schedules |
Staffing
Course Coordinator:
Requisites
Pre-requisite: Students must be enrolled in one of the following Programs: BSCH or BHSH or BHEH
Overview
In the contemporary world, science and technology are increasingly seen as fundamental for human progress and survival. As the power of technology has increased, ethical considerations in the practice of science have become a critical component in the interaction between science and society. Additionally, the limited support for scientific research has led to ever increasing competition for these resources and emphasised the need for skills in both scientific communication and information technology. This course is designed to enable students to critically review the role of philosophy and ethics in the practice of science and to be aware of, and develop, a range of communication skills required to successfully pursue a career in scientific research.
The modular structure of the course is designed to allow the student to develop skills in particular aspects of scientific communication. Topics include computer-based information retrieval, experimental design and analysis, verbal and written scientific communication skills, the interaction between science and society with an emphasis on the philosophy of science, and the role of ethics and academic integrity in research.
Course learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course students should be able to:
- Evaluate methods of data collection and analysis prior to conducting scientific research;
- Exhibit and apply skills in information management through database application and computing systems;
- Apply a range of communication skills effectively, including verbal, written and digital literacy;
- Analyse and interpret scientific research through peer review;
- Evaluate the varieties of scientific method and their historical evolution;
- Apply ethical approaches when conducting and communicating scientific research.
Topics
| Description | Weighting(%) | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Information Literacy | 15.00 |
| 2. | Research Writing Process and Communication | 20.00 |
| 3. | Critical Analysis in Research | 20.00 |
| 4. | Research Integrity and Ethics | 20.00 |
| 5. | Data Integrity and Approaches to Analysis | 15.00 |
| 6. | Advancement in Research Careers | 10.00 |
Text and materials required to be purchased or accessed
Student workload expectations
To do well in this subject, students are expected to commit approximately 10 hours per week including class contact hours, independent study, and all assessment tasks. If you are undertaking additional activities, which may include placements and residential schools, the weekly workload hours may vary.
Assessment details
| Description | Group Assessment |
Course learning outcomes |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | No | 1,2,3,4,6 |
| Literature review | No | 2,3,4,5 |
| Critique (written) | No | 2,3,4,5 |
| Presentation (ind, grp, mltmd) A1 of 2 | No | 2,3,4,6 |
| Presentation (ind, grp, mltmd) A2 of 2 | No | 2,3,4,6 |