Data Analysis Skills for Science (11723.1)

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

Extensions & Late submissions

Artificial intelligence

Permitted - The ethical use of GenAI is allowed in completing the Practical Portfolio 1 or Practical Portfolio 2. More detailed information can be found at GenAI and Assessment at UC.

Restricted - The use of GenAI is NOT allowed in completing the Revision Assignments or End of Semester Assessment. More detailed information can be found at GenAI and Assessment at UC.

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 participate in a two-hour computer lab every week, but of particular note are weeks 3, 8, and 13, during which the Revision Assignment assessment will take place.

Computer labs will be recorded but may only be accessed with convener permission by students with supporting documentation (e.g. a medical certificate). Although lectures are recorded and accessible to all students, 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:

• open and run R, R Studio and Excel for the End of Semester Assessment. 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.

• Semester 2, 2026, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (232942)
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• Semester 1, 2025, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (224968)
• Semester 2, 2024, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (219501)
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• Semester 2, 2023, On-campus, UC - Canberra, Bruce (214956)
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