Data Analysis Skills for Science (11723.1)

Please note these are the 2023 details for this unit
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Data Analysis Skills for Science
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-campus
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Science And Technology
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
Academic Program Area - Science Level 1 - Undergraduate Introductory Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
This unit forms the basis of scientific applications for foundational data analysis. It supports the applied numeracy and analytical skills presented across the Program of Science. After successful completion of this unit, students are familiar with collection, arrangement, manipulation and interrogation of both numerical and non-numerical data. They will recognise and employ effective analytical methods using standard statistical packages in real world scientific scenarios.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Apply scientific literacy and numeracy in the search for, collation of, and analysis of evidence;
2. Comprehend, apply and interpret the results of foundational data analysis and statistical methods;
3. Interpret and express analytical findings effectively in written format; and
4. Recognise situations where analytical methods and tools may be applied to chemistry, biology, physics and health.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems


Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

1809 Data Analysis in Science

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2026 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 03 February 2025 On-campus Dr Adrian Dusting
2025 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 28 July 2025 On-campus Dr Adrian Dusting
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 16 February 2026 On-campus Dr Adrian Dusting
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 On-campus Dr Adrian Dusting
Not available

Required texts

Suggested (not required): Lepš, J. and Šmilauer, P. (2020) Biostatistics with R: an introductory guide for field biologists. Cambridge University Press, ISBN-13: 978-1108480383.

There are a wealth of open access resources available relating to introductory data analysis, R and R Studio, and Microsoft Excel. These will adequately complement the unit's learning materials. For students intending to take further studies in data analysis or data science (using R), it is likely to be worthwhile obtaining the above text.

Submission of assessment items

Special assessment requirements

The final mark for this unit will be calculated by an accumulation of marks from each assessment item. To achieve a passing grade or higher in this subject, students must achieve a final aggregate mark of 50% or higher.

The unit convener reserves the right to question students on any of their submitted work for moderation and academic integrity purposes.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Learner engagement

The contact hours for each student in this unit consist of 12 hours of lectures (1 hr x 12 weeks) and 24 hours of computer labs (2 hr x 12 weeks). There are an additional up to 12 hours of online content videos. The remaining 102 hours of workload should be distributed across self-directed study and the various assessment tasks.

Participation requirements

It is highly recommended that you attend and participate in all classes. Your participation in both class and online activities will enhance your understanding of the unit content and therefore the quality of your assessment responses. Lack of participation may result in your inability to satisfactorily pass assessment items.

It is expected that you will attend a two-hour computer lab each week and that you either attend the lectures or participate in the live stream (when available). The Revision Assignment assessment will take place during Computer labs in weeks 3, 9, and 13. Computer labs will not be recorded. Although lectures are recorded, we cannot guarantee that the recording will accurately convey all the information presented in the live lecture. Problems with the recordings will not be accepted as an excuse for any assessment-related purpose. 

Required IT skills

All students are assumed to be able to:

  • For the End of Semester Assessment students need to know how to open and run R, R Studio and Excel. Students also need to unzip files to access datasets. These skills are covered in lectures and computer labs.
  • Communicate using email

In-unit costs

None. Required software is either open source (R, R Studio) or made available by UC for free to UC Students (e.g. Excel, Canvas). Campus computer labs can be used if a student cannot otherwise access computer hardware.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None.

Additional information

Provision of information to the group
Notifications through the Canvas Announcements Forum or the Canvas Discussion Forum are deemed to be made to the whole class. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they check for announcements on the Unit's Canvas website (forum messages are also emailed to student email addresses only). Students should ensure they check their student email regularly. The Canvas discussion forum will be checked by staff regularly.

Use of student email account
All unit enquiries should be emailed using a student university email account. Students should contact servicedesk@canberra.edu.au if they have any issues accessing their university email account.

Caveat
Unforeseen circumstances beyond the unit convener's control could result in changes to the mode of delivery of lectures, tutorials and practicals (where applicable) and assessments. Students will be advised if this occurs and appropriate alternatives will be arranged.