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Unit of study_

BDSN2001: BioDesign Fundamentals

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

BioDesign is an interdisciplinary approach that integrates human-centred design thinking methods with cutting-edge research from life sciences, to create innovative solutions to complex problems. In this unit you will learn the basic concepts of designing with science, to reinforce your own domain expertise and augment your existing skills with new approaches to problem-solving. This will develop your critical thinking, introduce you to considering multiple perspectives and open opportunities for new product ideas or startups. The unit will introduce you to prototyping for science and biology, evaluating ethical implications of designing with life, communicating scientific processes to justify biodesign choices, and supporting your peers with your own expertise.

Unit details and rules

Unit code BDSN2001
Academic unit Design Lab
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
None
Prerequisites
? 
12cp completed from 1000-level units
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

Knowledge of design methods and processes, and knowledge in biology, biomedical sciences, bioengineering or medical sciences.

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Phillip Gough, phillip.gough@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Quizzes
Quizzes administered through canvas
15% Multiple weeks 5 quizzes open for one day
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO6
Assignment Design Journal Part A
Design Journal Checkpoint
25% Week 07 Weekly activities and worksheets
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO6
Assignment group assignment Podcast
Group Podcast
25% Week 11 15 minutes max
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO5
Assignment Design Journal Part B
Completed Design Journal
35% Week 13 Weekly activities and worksheets
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO3 LO2
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

There are 3 tasts that form all of the assessment in this unit: Canvas Quizzes, a Design Journal, and a group Podcast. The breakdown is as follows:

 

Assessment Task 

Deliverables

Weight

Due

Canvas Quizzes

Completion of 5 quizzes on Canvas, 3% each.

15%

Multiple

Design Journal Check-in (Part A)

A check-in on the design journal activirties.

25%

Week 7

Podcast

(Group)

A group podcast, maximum of 15 mintues.

25%

Week 11

Completed Design Journal (Part B)

The completed design journal. 

35%

Week 13

 

Assessment criteria

Result Name Mark Range Description
HD High Distinction You demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard.
D Distinction You demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard.
C Credit You demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard.
P Pass You demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard.
F Fail You don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website  provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.  

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Biophilia and Biomimicry Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO6
Week 02 Biodesign Methodology Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO4 LO6
Week 03 Material-Driven Design Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO3
Week 04 Biodesign Perspective Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3
Week 05 Science and Design Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Ethics and Design Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5
Week 07 Communicating Effectively Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Sustainable and Regenerative Design Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO6
Week 09 The Circular Economy Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO3 LO6
Week 10 Life-Centred Design Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO6
Week 11 Synthetic Biology and Abstraction Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO4 LO6
Week 12 Interactive Biodesign Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO6
Fungi Futures Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Please refer to the Resolutions of the University School: http://sydney.edu.au/handbooks/architecture/rules/faculty_resolutions.shtml

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Evaluate ethical and unintended consequences relevant to biological design
  • LO2. Iteratively prototype, and evaluate design concepts in a biodesign context
  • LO3. Integrate insights from diverse views into an interdisciplinary understanding of problems
  • LO4. Explain scientific concepts using abstracted models to a broad audience
  • LO5. Support peers in the development of design or science skills
  • LO6. Understand the theory, methods and technology that underpin key approaches to biodesign

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.