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Unit of study_
OLET5616: Experimental Design for Life Sciences
2021 unit information
This Open Learning Environment unit of study is targeted at students undertaking a research degree, but other students may find the material of value. The development of a design is crucial for the scientific and statistical validity of research in the life sciences. These are needed for a range of situations from controlled laboratory studies where we are comparing specific drug treatments to field-based studies where we are surveying a particular bird species. No matter the context there are fundamental concepts common to all types of designs that all life scientists should know, and these form the basis for deeper knowledge. This unit will initially reinforce these fundamental concepts with a focus on both laboratory and field research with an emphasis on experimental and sampling designs. You will learn the vocabulary used in designing experiments and how this relates to their scientific and statistical validity. Using a series of published papers and ongoing research projects you will engage with the different types of designs and when and why they are used. Online modules and optional workshops will offer you the opportunity to gain experience in designing experiments and analysing the datasets they generate. By doing this unit you will develop the ability to describe and critique the key features of sampling and experimental designs, analyse the data they generate and use this knowledge to generate your own designs in your future career.
Unit details and rules
Managing faculty or University school:
Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
| Code | OLET5616 |
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| Academic unit | Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations |
| Credit points | 2 |
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Prerequisites:
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None |
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Corequisites:
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None |
| Prohibitions:
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None |
| Assumed knowledge:
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It is expected students have had exposure to introductory statistics from prior learning. |
At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:
- LO1. describe key features of experimental and sampling designs.
- LO2. analyse data generated from commonly used sampling and experimental designs.
- LO3. assess experimental and sampling designs for their statistical and scientific validity.
- LO4. create experimental and sampling designs for a range of situations include field and laboratory based studies.
Unit availability
This section lists the session, attendance modes and locations the unit is available in. There is a unit outline for each of the unit availabilities, which gives you information about the unit including assessment details and a schedule of weekly activities.
The outline is published 2 weeks before the first day of teaching. You can look at previous outlines for a guide to the details of a unit.
There are no availabilities for this year.
Modes of attendance (MoA)
This refers to the Mode of attendance (MoA) for the unit as it appears when you’re selecting your units in Sydney Student. Find more information about modes of attendance on our website.
