Outline

Overview

Our ever-changing world requires knowledge that extends across multiple disciplines. The ability to identify and explore interdisciplinary links is a crucial skill for emerging professionals and researchers alike. This unit showcases the state-of-the-art marine science research undertaken by biologists and geoscientists at the University of Sydney within the context of a multi-disciplinary, research-based project. You will be exposed to thematic topics within the modern field of marine science via a series of lectures, workshops and seminars, including fieldtrips in some cases. Fundamental to the unit is an interdisciplinary research project where you will be working with students from other disciplines, for example engineering, to solve real-life questions about the workings of the marine environment. This unit focuses on developing the skills required for a career in marine science. You will learn techniques to acquire, process, analyse, and interpret real scientific data. This unit also teaches about science communication, an essential skill for science graduates, regardless of the career path you want to pursue. You will practice these skills regularly throughout the semester. By doing this unit, you will bring together the concepts and skills you have learnt in your discipline and apply them to a real-world problem.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	MARS3888
Academic unit	Geosciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	None
Prerequisites ?	GEOS2X15 and BIOL2X22
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	Students should have general knowledge of fundamental concepts in the geological and biological sciences of marine systems
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Ana Vila Concejo, ana.vilaconcejo@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	William Figueira, will.figueira@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Team work evaluation Contribution and Self/Peer evaluation Attendance and Peer review quiz	15%	Multiple weeks	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Reflective task Written assessment	10%	Multiple weeks	1 hour
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Disciplinary knowledge report Written assessment	30%	Week 08	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Interdisciplinary oral presentation Presentation and skill demonstration	15%	Week 13	5-8 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Interdisciplinary joint project report Reproducible report- group.	30%	Week 13	10 pages
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

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	At HD level, you achieve the unit learning outcomes to an exceptional standard. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects your exceptional ability to apply comprehensive knowledge, analytical, communication, and collaborative skills in diverse contexts to synthesise multiple advanced insights and produce original solutions for highly complex problems.
Distinction	75 - 84	At D level, you achieve the unit learning outcomes to an excellent standard. A ‘Distinction’ reflects your excellent ability to apply well-developed knowledge, analytical, communication, and collaborative skills in diverse contexts to synthesise multiple insights to produce original solutions for complex problems.
Credit	65 - 74	At CR level, you achieve the unit learning outcomes to a good standard. A ‘Credit’ reflects your ability to apply broad knowledge, analytical, communication, and collaborative skills in a variety of contexts to synthesise insights and produce adequate solutions for routine problems.
Pass	50 - 64	At PS level, you achieve the unit learning outcomes to a proficient standard. A ‘Pass’ reflects your ability to apply threshold knowledge, analytical, communication, and collaborative skills in some but not all contexts to combine insights and produce basic solutions for routine problems.
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:

See CANVAS

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	1.1 Introductory lecture 1.2 Short term eco-morphodynamics	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	1. Project introduction; 2. Forming groups; 3. Project management	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 02	1.3 Morphodynamics of coral reefs 1.4 Vulnerable features	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Coral reef stressors - finding and using online dataset	Practical (3 hr)
Week 03	2.1 Settlement and recruitment of marine organisms 2.2	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Coral reef stressors - finding and using online dataset	Practical (3 hr)
Week 04	3.1 Tropical cyclones 3.2 Long term coral reef evolution	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Science Communication	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 05	4.1 Remote sensing of coral reefs 4.2 The living sands in coral reefs	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Independent interdisciplinary group work	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 06	6.1 First Nations' Management of Coral Reefs 6.2 3D shapes of reefs	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Independent interdisciplinary group work	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 07	Independent interdisciplinary group work	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 08	Independent interdisciplinary group work	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 09	Independent interdisciplinary group work	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 10	Independent interdisciplinary group work	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 11	Independent interdisciplinary group work	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 12	Independent interdisciplinary group work	Workshop (3 hr)
Week 13	Presentations	Presentation (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

COVID allowing, there will be a fieldtrip on the Friday of week 3. Please see all details on Canvas.The fieldtrip is not compulsory but is encouraged.
COVID allowing, some classes, practicals and workshops will be face2face instead of remote. Please keep on checking CANVAS for announcements,
Weekly attendance to practicals and workshops as well as a weekly check-up to track team work is necessary.

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. apply state-of-the-art disciplinary knowledge in marine biological and geosciences to solve problems in an interdisciplinary context
LO2. find, define, and delimit authentic problems in order to address them
LO3. manage projects by creating an investigation strategy, exploring solutions, discussing approaches, and predicting outcomes
LO4. analyse data using modern information technology and digital skills to understand the complex interplay of biologic, geologic, and physical processes in marine systems
LO5. demonstrate integrity, confidence, personal resilience, and the capacity to manage challenges, both individually and in teams
LO6. collaborate with diverse groups, and across cultural and disciplinary boundaries, to develop solution(s) to the project problems
LO7. communicate project outcomes effectively to other experts and 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.

This unit was offered for the first time in 2020 under very difficulty circumnstances. USS reviews were very positive. In 2021, we delivered both to remote and campus students and again had very positive reviews. The structure this year is quite similar to last year but we will have closer contact with the students to better support their independent research. We are also introducing a new partnership to accommodate for larger student numbers in MARS3888.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

General Laboratory Safety Rules

No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances
A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory
Follow safety instructions in your manual and posted in laboratories
In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door
First aid kits, eye wash and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory
As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that you have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from University Health Service: unihealth.usyd.edu.au/

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

Attendance and class requirements

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

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

MARS3888: Marine Science Interdisciplinary Project

Semester 1, 2023 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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

Attendance and class requirements

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

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect