Course Title: Science Fiction - Science Fact

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Science Fiction - Science Fact

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
ONPS2495	City Campus	Undergraduate	135H Applied Sciences	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2014, Sem 2 2015, Sem 2 2016
ONPS2495	City Campus	Undergraduate	171H School of Science	Face-to-Face	Sem 2 2017, Sem 2 2018, Sem 2 2019, Sem 2 2020, Sem 1 2021
ONPS2507	Open Learning Australia	Non Award	171H School of Science	Internet	OUASP1UG23, OUASP1UG24

Flexible Terms

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
ONPS2565	OUA CSP	Undergraduate	171H School of Science	Internet	OUACSP2021 (All)
ONPS2565	OUA CSP	Undergraduate	171H School of Science	Internet	OUACSP2023 (All)
ONPS2565	OUA CSP	Undergraduate	171H School of Science	Internet	OUACSP2024 (All)

Course Coordinator: Gary Bryant

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925

Course Coordinator Email: gary.bryant@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Availability: By appointment, by email

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Assumed Knowledge

You are expected to have capabilities consistent with the completion of VCE Mathematics (Specialist or Methods) at a Year 12 level.

 

Course Description

From Jules Verne to Star Trek, science fiction has proven to be remarkably prescient in developing new technologies, and shaping attitudes towards that technology. You will also study why certain predictions did not come true. This course uses ideas from science fiction to inform and educate you about key concepts in science and technology in a non-mathematical way. You will explore not only the limits imposed by physics, but also some of the ways that science fiction has inspired ways to beat those limits. Examples include teleportation, quantum computing, time travel and warp drives. 

This course will enable you to better understand the role of science and technology in shaping the future, gain an understanding of the scientific process, recognise the importance of multidisciplinary research teams for solving some of the society’s biggest technological challenges, and help them take their place in Designing the Future.
 

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course is a university elective.

After successfully completing this course you will: 

1. Understand the role of scientific progress in modern and future society. 
2. Be aware of the scientific principles behind key concepts in science fiction. 
3. Have improved critically analysis and communication skills. 
4. Improve communication and problem-solving skills when working in a group. 
5. Gather, synthesize and critically evaluate scientific information from a range of sources. 

       

Overview of Learning Activities

You will be actively engaged in a range of learning activities such as lectorials, tutorials, practicals, laboratories, seminars, project work, class discussion, individual and group activities. Delivery may be face to face, online or a mix of both. 

You are encouraged to be proactive and self-directed in your learning, asking questions of your lecturer and/or peers and seeking out information as required, especially from the numerous sources available through the RMIT library, and through links and material specific to this course that is available through myRMIT Studies Course. 

Overview of Learning Resources

RMIT will provide you with resources and tools for learning in this course through myRMIT Studies Course. 

There are services available to support your learning through the University Library. The Library provides guides on academic referencing and subject specialist help as well as a range of study support services. For further information, please visit the Library page on the RMIT University website and the myRMIT student portal.

Overview of Assessment

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task 1: Skills Assessment
Weighting 45% 
This assessment task supports CLO 1 & 2

Assessment Task 2: Group Assessment
Weighting 10% 
This assessment task supports CLO 3 & 4

Assessment Task 3: Research Assessment
Weighting 30%
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3 & 5

Assessment Task 4: Authentic Assessment
Weighting 15% 
This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, & 5

If you have a long-term medical condition and/or disability it may be possible to negotiate to vary aspects of the learning or assessment methods. You can contact the program coordinator or Equitable Learning Services if you would like to find out more.