HPSC3888: Semester 2, 2025

Units HPSC3888 Semester 2 2025 [Normal day]

Unit outline_

HPSC3888: HPSC Interdisciplinary Project

Semester 2, 2025 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Interdisciplinary problem-solving and teamwork are essential skills for all forms of future study and employment. This unit brings together the knowledge and know-how learned in particular disciplines by applying them to a real-world problem solved within a team. Students will continue to develop and explore their individual disciplinary knowledge as they collaborate on a project with students from other disciplines and with external partners. Students will learn to identify and solve actual problems by collecting and analysing data, critically examining and theoretically interpreting information, then communicating findings to diverse audiences.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	History and Philosophy of Science Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	12 credit points of HPSC2XXX
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	Students should have demonstrated the ability to explain topics and concepts in HPS at an intermediate level
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Daniela Helbig, daniela.helbig@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written work	Digital-visual story on Australian Museum material Digital-visual story on Australian Museum material using Shorthand software	30%	Formal exam period Due date: 17 Nov 2025 at 23:59	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	DigiVol transcription task DigiVol transcription	10%	Week 03 Due date: 24 Aug 2025 at 23:59	Archival materials	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Peer review of DigiVol transcription task Peer review of DigiVol transcription task	5%	Week 04 Due date: 31 Aug 2025 at 23:59	Archival materials	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Draft of digital - visual story on Australian Museum material Draft of digital - visual story on Australian Museum materials using Shorthand software	20%	Week 10 Due date: 19 Oct 2025 at 23:59	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Peer feedback on draft of digital visual story Peer feedback on draft of digital visual story	5%	Week 11 Due date: 26 Oct 2025 at 23:59	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
In-person practical, skills, or performance task or test	Digital Lab (Shorthand, DigiVol) Practical skill acquisition and demonstration (Shorthand, DigiVol)	10%	Weekly	1 hr/week	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
In-person practical or creative task	Internship at Australian Museum Internship at Australian Museum	10%	Weekly	2 hrs/week	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Participation in seminar discussion Participation in seminar discussion	10%	Weekly	1hr/week	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Active participation in discussion seminar, Digital Lab, and internship sessions is required (hurdle tasks, 70%). Major group assignment: digital-visual story using Shorthand software platform.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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:

As per coursework policy.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction	Seminar (1 hr)
	Digital lab: DigiVol	Computer laboratory (1 hr)
	Australian Museum Internship	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 02	Les Chandler and National Parks	Seminar (1 hr)
	Digital Lab: DigiVol	Computer laboratory (1 hr)
	Australian Museum Internship	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 03	Chandler's philosophy and aims	Seminar (1 hr)
	Digital Lab: DigiVol	Computer laboratory (1 hr)
	Australian Museum Internship	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 04	History of science communication: lantern slides	Seminar (1 hr)
	Digital Lab: Shorthand	Computer laboratory (1 hr)
	Australian Museum Internship	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 05	Chandler and the Mallee	Seminar (1 hr)
	Digital Lab: Shorthand	Computer laboratory (1 hr)
	Australian Museum Internship	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 06	National Parks	Seminar (1 hr)
	Digital Lab: Shorthand	Computer laboratory (1 hr)
	Australian Museum Internship	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 07	National Parks continued	Seminar (1 hr)
	Digital Lab: Shorthand	Computer laboratory (1 hr)
	Australian Museum Internship	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 08	Discussion of final projects	Seminar (1 hr)
	Digital Lab: Shorthand	Computer laboratory (1 hr)
	Australian Museum Internship	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 09	Final project	Project (4 hr)
Week 10	Final project	Project (4 hr)
Week 11	Final project	Project (4 hr)
Week 12	Final project	Project (4 hr)
Week 13	Final project	Project (4 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance in all course components (weekly seminars, digital labs, and Australian Museum internship sessions) is essential. Skills acquired in seminars, digital labs, and internship sessions are assessed as hurdle tasks.

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.

Required readings

All readings and other material will be made available on Canvas.

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. Apply disciplinary knowledge to solve problems in an interdisciplinary context.
LO2. Find, define and delimit authentic problems in order to address them
LO3. Create an investigation strategy, explore solutions, discuss approaches and predict outcomes.
LO4. Analyse data using modern information technology and digital skills.
LO5. Demonstrate integrity, confidence, personal resilience and the capacity to manage challenges, both individually and in diverse teams
LO6. Collaborate with diverse groups and across cultural and disciplinary boundaries to develop solutions(s) to the project problems.
LO7. Communicate project outcomes effectively to a broad audience.

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.

Introduction of Digital Lab.

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Museum visit protocols to be followed as announced in class.

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

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Site visit guidelines

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links