BIOL4015: Semester 1, 2020

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Units BIOL4015 Semester 1 2020 [Normal day]

Unit of study_

BIOL4015: Scientific Research in Biology

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Studies in Life Science investigate the dynamics of living organisms and span the levels of biological organization, from the ecosystem to the molecular. Research in the Life Sciences strives to offer explanations as to how organisms function, interact and evolve. A graduate Biologist must be conversant with a wide range of analytical techniques, including quantitative analysis as well as being able to communicate effectively about their research. Students must understand the logical structures which underpin analytical techniques, be able to design experiments based on understanding of biological processes and document their intended research. This course work unit provides the core skills and techniques that will equip students to perform a broad range of laboratory and field studies in biology, develop critical thinking and clear communication skills. Students will be introduced to the appropriate methodologies for data collection, handling and analysis which underpin the successful testing of biological hypotheses, and document their intended research as a grant proposal

Unit details and rules

Unit code	BIOL4015
Academic unit	Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	BIOL4009 or BIOL4010 or BIOL4011 or BINF5002 or BINF5003
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	BIOL4016
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Ashley Ward, ashley.ward@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Research and Development Proposal Description of proposed research, methods and impact	7.5%	Week 02	~5 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Experimental Design and Analysis Assessment of key competencies in research design and statistical analysis	5%	Week 03	~5 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Opinion Article Critical evaluation of key research question relevant to your field	7.5%	Week 04	~5 pages
Outcomes assessed:
Honours thesis	Thesis Honours thesis containing Introduction, Methods, Results and Discussion	80%	Week 10	Up to 75 pages
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Assessment in Biology Honours is based on three coursework assignments plus a final Honours Thesis.

The coursework assignments are completed in the first few weeks of honours. These are:

- A Research and Development Proposal (7.5% of total mark)

- An Opinion Article (7.5%)

- Experimental Design and Analysis Exercise (5%)

- The final thesis (80% of final mark) is due at the end of the honours period.

Assessment criteria

Detailed criteria for the assessment of Honours is available on the Canvas page for Biology Honours.

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

For coursework, any written work submitted after 11:59pm on the due date will be penalised by 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. If the assessment is submitted more than ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded. For the thesis, late penalties are as follows: 0.5 marks per day for first 3 days 1 mark per day thereafter >10 marks – reviewed by Committee

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.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity	Learning outcomes
Weekly	Weekly Workshop	Workshop (1 hr)

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

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. Describe and discuss the concepts associated with the scientific study of biology
LO2. Identify and discuss some of the current topics in biological research
LO3. Design and perform experimental and observational research in biology
LO4. Critically read, evaluate and synthesise information from the primary literature
LO5. Conduct analysis of data and communicate your findings concisely and scientifically in both written and graphical forms.

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Additional information

Science student portal

Work, health and safety

Work, health and safety is a priority. Each student will undergo induction and training by their specific supervisor

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

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