Course Title: Conduct and present simple scientific research

Part B: Course Detail

Teaching Period: Term2 2011

Course Code: GEDU5442

Course Title: Conduct and present simple scientific research

School: 155T Vocational Health and Sciences

Campus: City Campus

Program: C3209 - Certificate III in Science

Course Contact: Judith McCann

Course Contact Phone: T. 99258366

Course Contact Email: judith.mccann@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

None

Course Description

To provide the learner 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:

VPAU072 Conduct and present simple scientific research

Element:

1.Conduct a simple scientific experiment
2.Conduct a simple investigation of a scientific issue

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



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


Competency based


Details of Learning Activities

• Lectures
• Individual and Group presentations

• Practical activities


Teaching Schedule

Week

Date(week starting)

Topic      (Note – Prac dates are subject to change)

1 11/7/11  Introduction/ Scientific method/ Activity
2 18/7/11 Tabulating Data and Drawing graphs (group activity)
3 25/7/11 Intro to lab safety and equip/ measuring activity (Prac)
4 1/8/11 Experiment – using a balance (Prac)
5 8/8/11 Glass and micropipette techniques (Prac)
6 15/8/11 Activity(Prac)
7 22/8/11 Chemical reactions experiment
(ASSESSMENT TASK)
8 29/8/11 Stem Cell Debate
9 5/9/11  Oral Presentations (ASSESSMENT TASK)

     


Learning Resources

Prescribed Texts


References


Other Resources


Overview of Assessment

Practical activities, reports and presentations


Assessment Tasks

Practical Report/ Weekly Practical Tasks:        75%
Research based assignment/presentation:   25%

• Student must pass each of the above assessment tasks to pass the Learning unit.
* Students must successfully pass 4 out of the 6 weekly practical tasks


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 


Course Overview: Access Course Overview