HTIN5001: Semester 1, 2020

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Units HTIN5001 Semester 1 2020 [Normal day]

Unit of study_

HTIN5001: Nature of Systems

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

Overview

This core unit of study aims to introduce the central concepts of systems approaches to addressing complex, multi-dimensional, multi-scale issues. Systems approaches are increasingly being recognised as essential for unravelling the complex network of influences on human health, from biology and nutrition to economics and society. The Charles Perkins Centre is committed to fostering new ways of thinking with systems approaches, which it sees as the key to identifying innovative solutions to the growing global health problems associated with diet and lifestyle. An understanding of concepts from complex systems thinking will help students develop their own thinking about complex health issues and identify novel approaches and research questions.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	HTIN5001
Academic unit	Computer Science
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	The unit is aimed at graduates and researchers who are interested in developing skills in complex systems analysis. The unit is highly interdisciplinary and as such, there is no assumed prior knowledge or course prerequisites. However, students who will benefit most from the unit will be those who are open-minded and motivated to think outside the box. The unit has been deliberately designed as a new teaching and learning experience.
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Mark Read, mark.read@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Juan Ortiz, juan.molina@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Small continuous assessment	Reflections on the relevance of key concepts	20%	Multiple weeks	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Behavioural economics short presentation	5%	Week 03	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Causal loop diagrams	5%	Week 03	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Video on a systems intervention	25%	Week 10	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Collaboration process documents	5%	Week 11	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Individual reflections on systems intervention	40%	Week 13	n/a
Outcomes assessed:

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

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.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100
Distinction	75 - 84
Credit	65 - 74
Pass	50 - 64
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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:

Written assessment tasks incur a 5% per day (including weekend days) penalty for lateness. Assignments more than 10 days late will receive a mark of 0. In general, there will be no late submissions allowed for peer assessments of performance in leading discussions.

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
Week 01	1. Introduction to complex systems; 2. Systems thinking; 3. Design thinking and agile projects; 4. Examples of complex systems approaches	Online class (4 hr)
Week 02	1. Emergence and self-organisation; 2. Explanations in complex systems; 3. Models and abstraction	Online class (4 hr)
Week 02	1. Causal loop diagrams; 2. Systems interventions	Online class (4 hr)
Week 03	1. Systematic experiments; 2. Robustness, resilience and catastrophes	Online class (4 hr)
Week 03	1. Human behaviour and decision making; 2. Nudging	Online class (4 hr)
Week 04	Social systems and networks	Online class (4 hr)
Week 05	Applications of systems thinking	Online class (4 hr)
Week 06	Applications of systems thinking	Online class (2 hr)
Week 07	Applications of systems thinking	Online class (2 hr)
Week 08	Project pitching	Online class (2 hr)
Week 09	Applications of systems thinking	Online class (2 hr)
Week 10	Applications of systems thinking	Online class (2 hr)
Week 10	Group videos and discussion	Online class (2 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. develop multi-level perspectives to complex issues
LO2. understand key concepts of complex systems theory and their relevance in addressing complex problems
LO3. use suitable tools to understand health and related social and economic systems
LO4. integrate the expertise of multidisciplinary teams to identify novel solutions
LO5. apply theoretical concepts of complex systems thinking to a range of health-related challenges.

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.

Minor changes to in-class exercises (we are no longer going to rely on Netlogo), minor changes to online discussion structure and marking criteria and minor changes in marking criteria for most assignments. All these changes have been done in response to student feedback

Additional information

First lecture is scheduled for Friday, Feb 28th

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

Disclaimer

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