Course Title: Conduct and present simple scientific research

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term1 2016

Course Code: GEDU5974

Course Title: Conduct and present simple scientific research

School: 155T Vocational Health and Sciences

Campus: City Campus

Program: C3305 - Certificate III in Science

Course Contact: Namrita Kaul

Course Contact Phone: +61 3 9925 4309

Course Contact Email: namrita.kaul@rmit.edu.au


Name and Contact Details of All Other Relevant Staff

Christine Andrews

christine.andrews@rmit.edu.au
 

Nominal Hours: 20

Regardless of the mode of delivery, represent a guide to the relative teaching time and student effort required to successfully achieve a particular competency/module. This may include not only scheduled classes or workplace visits but also the amount of effort required to undertake, evaluate and complete all assessment requirements, including any non-classroom activities.

Pre-requisites and Co-requisites

There are none

Course Description

The purpose of this unit is to provide learners with the knowledge and skills to undertake, analyse, and report on simple scientific experiments and investigations.


National Codes, Titles, Elements and Performance Criteria

National Element Code & Title:

VU21057 Conduct and present simple scientific research

Element:

1. Conduct a simple scientific experiment

Performance Criteria:

1.1 Identify a scientific concept/model/theory for investigation
1.2 Identify a scientific method to investigate the scientific concept/model/theory
1.3 Perform a simple experiment relating to the scientific concept/model/theory
1.4 Record and analyse the results of the experiment
1.5 Present the findings of the experiment using appropriate scientific terminology
 

Element:

2 Conduct a simple investigation of a scientific issue

Performance Criteria:

2.1 Identify an issue of scientific interest which has contributed to society, the environment or an individual
2.2 Identify the area of science which underpins the issue
2.3 Investigate the impact of the issue on society, the environment or an individual
2.4 Record the results of the investigation using appropriate scientific terminology
2.5 Present the findings of the investigation using appropriate scientific terminology
 

Learning Outcomes



Details of Learning Activities

  • Lectures 
  • Individual and Group presentations
  •  Research task
  • Practical activities


Teaching Schedule

Week 
 		 Date(week starting) Topic (Note – Prac dates are subject to change)
1 8/02/16

1. Introduction/ Scientific method/ Activity
2 15/02/16
 
2. Tabulating Data and Drawing graphs (group activity)/ Intro to lab safety and equip
3 22/02/16
 		 3. Stem Cell Debate /measurement activity (Prac)
4 29/02/16 4. Experiment – using a balance (Prac) 
5 7/03/16 5. Glass and micropipette techniques (Prac)
6 14/03/16 6. DNA extraction (Prac)
 
7 21/03 /16 Chemical reactions experiment (ASSESSMENT TASK-10%)Practical Report Due-5/04/16
8 28/03/16  Mid semester break
9 4/04/16
 		 Oral Presentations (ASSESSMENT TASK-20%) Due-5/04/16
 


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources

Newspapers


Overview of Assessment

Assessment for this course may include reports and assignments


Assessment Tasks

Weekly Practical Tasks: (highest 4 out of 6 weekly practical tasks) 70%

Practical Report: 10%
 
Research based assignment/presentation: 20% 

 Student must pass the assignment and practical component to pass the Learning unit.


Assessment Matrix

Other Information

The 20 hours allowed for this unit are allocated as follows

Class theory -9 hours
Practical Activities -8 hours
Research work / report completion -3 hours

This course is graded in accordance with competency-based assessment, but which also utilises graded assessment
CHD Competent with High Distinction (80 – 100%)
CDI Competent with Distinction (60 – 79%)
CC Competent with Credit (50 – 59%)
CAG Competency Achieved – Graded (0 – 49%)
NYC Not Yet Competent
DNS Did Not Submit for assessment

  • All assessment types must be passed (prac and assignments etc.).  You can’t make up marks from one type of assessment to another (e.g. pass the tests but fail the prac component).
  • Late work that is submitted without an application for an extension will not be corrected.
  • APPLICATION FOR EXTENSION OF TIME FOR SUBMISSION OF ASSESSABLE WORK- A student may apply for an extension of up to 7 days from the original due date. They must lodge the application form (available online http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/assessment/extension) at least 24 hours before the due date. The application is lodged with the School Admin Office on Level 6, Bdg 51, or emailed to the Coordinator (nancy.varughese@rmit.edu.au).
  • Students requiring extensions longer than 7 days must apply for Special Consideration (see the ‘Help me’ link in blackboard, via myRMIT studies or http://www1.rmit.edu.au/students/specialconsideration) For missed assessments such as exams - you (& your doctor if you are sick) must fill out a special consideration form. This form must be lodged online with supporting evidence (e.g. medical certificate), prior to, or within, 48 hours of the scheduled time of examination.
  • If you miss an assessment task due to unavoidable circumstances, you need to follow the procedure of special consideration and apply within the allowed time frame.

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