BSC100 Building Blocks for Science Students
Unit description
Approaching science requires an understanding of the scientific method and skills. This unit
facilitates student transition into university learning and gives the framework of skills students
need for their studies in science. The lectures focus on a variety of information and
associated skills, which are then developed through two hour weekly tutorial sessions. These
skills include literacy; numeracy and information technology; the ability to collect, analyse
and evaluate information; to think clearly, critically and creatively; and discipline-specific skills
in scholarly research, communication and ethical practice.
It is expected that on completion of BSC100 students will have basic skills in the use of
software such as Word, PowerPoint and the Excel spreadsheet package. Excel is used in
tutorials (in computer laboratories) to carry out numerical calculations and statistical
analyses.
Prerequisites
There are no formal prerequisites for this unit.
Learning outcomes for the unit
On successful completion of this unit students should be able to:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Explain the scientific method and demonstrate its application.
Understand and identify appropriate mathematical tools to interpret and assess
experimental data.
Understand and apply the rules of academic integrity, by:
a. understanding the principles of referencing and applying a citation method to
these principles; and
b. recognising the importance of the validity of sources used.
Appreciate the ethical issues underpinning science.
Learn autonomously, by
a. thinking and reading critically; and
b. engaging in self-management, organisation, and critical reflection.
Effectively explain scientific data, information, and arguments to both scientific peer
groups and the broader community in written, oral and interpersonal formats through:
a. producing summaries and critical analyses of lectures and readings;
b. producing reviews of scientific literature, e.g. as contextual introductions to
laboratory reports;
c. providing assessment feedback to peers; and
d. working in a team to produce an analysis or evaluation of scientific technical
data or principles.
Graduate attributes developed in the unit
This unit will contribute to the development of the following Graduate Attributes:
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Communication
Critical and creative thinking
Social interaction
• Independent and lifelong learning
• Ethics
Study schedule
Week
Lecture topic
Introduction to university
1
2
Using LMS and the Numeracy
Modules
Scientific method
Reading and critical thinking
3
4
Comp
Lab
Assessing data
Working with statistical
information and data
Computing skills in Excel
6
7
Comp
Lab
8
Comp
Lab
Non-teaching week
9
Oral presentation skills
Library databases and
catalogues
Researching skills, search
methods and strategies
Writing in Science
Report writing exercises
Formatting skills in Word
Modelling data
Using mathematical models,
formulae in Excel
Collaborating and creativity
Science communication
Disseminating research
Giving an oral presentation
Ideas for presentation topic
Tutorial participation
(continuing)
Numeracy modules
due Week 3
Annotated
bibliography
due Week 5
Report: Part A
due Week 9
Skills for thinking and
collaborating
Non-teaching week
Using peer review
Oral presentations
Exercises using peer review
and feedback
13
Safety, risk and intellectual
property
Oral presentations
Changing scales exercises
14
Exam preparation
Oral presentations
Sample Exam workshop
12
Assessment
Writing exercise
Reading exercise
Review
Referencing exercises
Searching scientific literature
11
Learning from lectures and
tutorials, note-taking and time
management
Academic integrity
Referencing
5
Comp
Lab
10
Tutorial activities
Changing scales in science
Oral Presentations
in tutorials
Weeks 12-14
Report: Part B
due Week 14
15
Study break
Exam Period
2
Murdoch University
BSC100 Building Blocks for Science Students
COURSE OUTLINE S1 2015
Week
Lecture Content
1.
Welcome by BSC100 staff, Student Advisors and CUTL staff
Introduction to University
Other Murdoch resources and centres, Guild, MAP
2.
Note-taking styles: Cornell (blocks); Outlining; Charting (tabular);
Note-taking skills; Using
Mapping (draws relationships); Sentence
LMS and the Numeracy
A walk through the BSC100 online unit on LMS
Modules.
Explanation of Numeracy Module assessment online – e.g. decimals,
ratios and proportions, units, graphs, scientific
notation, tables, mean and SD.
3.
The PEL model of science - presuppositions, evidence and logic. The
Scientific Method
hypothesis testing approach. The role of controls and replicates in
scientific experiments. The difference between deduction and
induction. Ethical values in science.
4.
Critical thinking – what is it and why is it important. Reading a journal
Scientific Reading
article, structure of a journal article. Sources and quality of sources.
Critical reading – what to look for.
5.
Plagiarism, collusion, ghost writing, purloining Academic misconduct
Academic Integrity
penalties. How to avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism in Science
6.
The importance of referencing. Styles of referencing. In-text citations.
Referencing
Bibliographies.
7.
Reading data analysis in journals and other research reports. The
Assessing Data 1
research question and its context. Assessing data in articles, graphs
and tables of different forms.
8.
Working with Excel to assess different types of raw data.
Assessing Data 2
Calculating basic statistics on Excel – mean, median, standard
deviation; and interpreting their meaning. Which graph to use to
suit the data and the research question. Producing circle graphs,
(multiple) line graphs, bar graphs and scatterplots on Excel.
Showing variation in data with standard deviations and error bars.
9.
Development of scientific literature. Categories of publications –
Searching Scientific
primary and secondary sources. Literature Review process. Logic
Literature
Operators – AND, OR, NOT. Databases and search tools.
10.
Library Databases and Catalogues and searches. Subject Guides.
Using the Library
Search strategies. Evaluating information. Referencing guides.
Murdoch University
3
11.
Analysing the essay question and argument structure. Assertion,
Science Writing Skills –
Reasoning, Evidence model. Forming a thesis statement. Writing
Argumentative Essays
your essay.
12.
Report structure: Title, Abstract, Introduction, Methods, Results,
Science Writing Skills –
Discussion, Conclusion, References. Hypothesis and aim of
Scientific Reports
research. Order of writing the sections.
13.
Mathematical models and uses of models. Systems of Units. Basic
Modelling data 1
equations and rearranging equations.
14.
Examples of models. Factors in the development of models.
Modelling data 2
Population growth models. Exponential models. SIR model for
infectious diseases.
15.
Oral Presentation Skills
Construction of presentation: Introduction, Body, Conclusion. Delivery
and body language. Use of visual aids. Preparation and how to
answer questions.
16.
Global collaboration. International research and the need for
Scientific Collaboration
creativity. Building research teams. Skills for collaboration.
and Creativity
Collaboration example.
17.
Need for communication of science. Identifying purpose and
Science Communication
audience. Writing or speaking styles- journals, conferences, posters.
Formal and informal communication – news, digital forms. Publishing.
18.
Good Science shown in a research project example. Teamwork,
Disseminating Research
international collaboration and stakeholder engagement.
Communication, social and online media. Innovative technology.
Citizen science. Transparency and trust
19.
Appropriate units. Orders of magnitude. Significant figures and using
Changing Scales
numbers sensibly. Rate conversions. Science changing with scale.
20.
Purpose of scientific literature. Quality control – the peer review
Using Peer Review
process. Who are peer reviewers? Using peer review for
improvement
21.
Safety in the workplace, OHS. Types of risk and hazards. Safety data
Safety, Risk Management
sheets and labelling. Risk Management process
22.
Intellectual Property. Types of protection. Patents
Intellectual Property
23.
Exam conditions at university. How to prepare. Revision of topics in
Exam Preparation
BSC100.
24.
Working through sample exam questions.
Sample Exam Questions
4
Murdoch University
Assessment
Students are assessed on the basis of:
Assessment
Item
Tutorial
Skills
Report
Exam
Description
Value
Aligned Learning
Outcomes
Due dates
Tutorial
preparation/participation
5%
1-6
Continuous
Numeracy modules
5%
2, 5
Annotated bibliography
10%
3, 5, 6a
Oral presentation
10%
1, 3, 5, 6a -b
Part A Preliminary sections
of report
10%
1, 2, 3, 5 ,6a-b
Part B Full report
30%
1, 2, 3, 5 ,6a-b
Examination (closed book)
30%
1, 2, 3, 6a-b
Week 3
Week 5
Weeks 12-14
in tutorials
Week 9
Week 14
Assessment
period
Assessment details
Tutorial participation (5%)
Students are expected to complete weekly tutorial preparation including lecture summaries.
External students are guided by their tutor with preparation and activities provided in the
External Online Tutorials section of the BSC100 online unit.
Skills - Numeracy (5%)
In the BSC100 online unit there is a series of numeracy modules and associated quizzes
which must be completed by the end of Week 3.
The 17 numeracy modules review key skills for science. These modules have been designed
to support the use of mathematical ideas and skills at university. Each module focuses on a
topic, and consists of a PowerPoint presentation followed by a short quiz. For this
assessment, completion of ten designated modules is required.
Skills - Annotated bibliography (10%)
This assessment consists of a summary and comparison of sources covering the same topic.
The aim of the assignment is to develop reading, referencing and critical thinking skills in a
science context. The bibliography (as with other written assessments in BSC100) is put
through Turnitin and then submitted electronically by the end of Week 5.
Skills - Oral Presentation (10%)
To develop science communication skills, all students give a five minute oral presentation
(with associated PowerPoint slides) during Weeks 12 - 14 of semester, on a given topic
which they can relate to their own discipline area. Presentations are assessed on the basis of
structure, content and delivery.
Murdoch University
5
Report
The aim of this scientific report assessment is to develop skills in academic writing and
simple data analysis. Students are given a choice of topics, each with an associated data
set. Students must produce a written report on the topic, which is assessed in two parts.
Students receive feedback on Part A which should be revised as necessary and then
incorporated into Part B, which consists of the entire scientific report. A minimum of 4 and no
more than 8 appropriate references must be used in the specified referencing style.
Report - Part A (10%)
Part A consists of the preliminary sections for a scientific report, i.e. the introduction and
methods sections, and a description of the intended data analysis. It is limited to 750 words.
Report - Part B (30%)
The scientific report is a complete overview of the data analysis that the student has
undertaken. It should be no more than 1500 words and cover:
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Introduction
Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion
Examination
The two-hour BSC100 examination involves multiple choice, written and short answer
questions.
Contacts
For further information about BSC100, please contact the Unit Coordination Team:
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Dr Alasdair Dempsey ([email protected])
School of Psychology and Exercise Sciences
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Ms Carolyn Jones ([email protected])
School of Veterinary and Life Sciences
•
Dr Helen Middleton ([email protected])
School of Engineering and Information Technology
Murdoch University