Communication in Science (4732.6)

Please note these are the 2021 details for this unit
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Communication in Science
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods
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 subject is intended to help students express themselves and their knowledge of science. The lectures and tutorials stress oral and written communication techniques, which are the basis of assessments throughout the semester. There is no final examination.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Critique the way science is communicated in scientific writing;
2. Critique the way science is communicated in scientific writing; presentations on a scientific;
3. Technical or medical topics;
4. Find scientific literature, reference it using the Harvard system and discriminate and evaluate the quality of information; and
5. Work in a group to prepare a media release.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - display initiative and drive, and use their organisation skills to plan and manage their workload
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - think globally about issues in their profession
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development


Skills development

 

 

 



Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

9799 Foundations of Professional Planning Exception: Students in 364JA Bachelor of Nursing and 365JA Bachelor of Nursing Advanced.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
Not available

Required texts

Recommended reading:

There is no prescribed text for this unit. Reading materials will be provided via the Canvas website.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Vodcasts and Group Oral Presentations will be given in class. All other assessment items are to be submitted via Canvas.

Special assessment requirements

The final mark for this subject will be calculated by an accumulation of marks from each assessment item. Students must attempt and submit all assessment items to pass this unit Including:

Annotated Bibliography (20%) + Scientific Literature Review (20%) + Vodcast (video-podcast) (15%) +Website (15%) + My Science Professional Future (10%) + Group Presentation (20%) = 100%

In order to pass this unit, students are required to:

a) achieve an aggregate grade of 50% or higher,

b) attend 80% of workshops including those held virtually, and

c) complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM).

The unit convener reserves the right to questions students orally on their submitted work.

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 32 hours of workshops (2 hrs x 16 sessions). The remaing 118 hours of workload should be distributed across the various assessment tasks, which includes a considerable proportion of group work.

Participation requirements

Participation in Workshops is a requirement for this unit, because the assessment directly relates to workshop content, and attendance will be recorded. You must participate in at least 80% of Workshops (including those held virtually) to pass this unit. In the event that you cannot attend your Workshop class due to illness or unavoidable commitments, attend an equivalent scheduled class with the permission of the Workshop coordinator, and discuss your absence with staff as soon as possible so you can take responsibility for reviewing missed work. Students who miss Workshops should provide relevant documentation to the Unit Convener as soon as possible, via email - robert.berthon@canberra.edu.au

Required IT skills

Familiarity with Microsoft Office software Word, Excel and PowerPoint or equivalent is necessary. It is expected that students have learned how to access resources in the UC library and to access the Unit's Canvas site.

This unit involves online meetings in real time using the Virtual Room in your UCLearn teaching site. The Virtual Room allows you to communicate in real time with your lecturer and other students. To participate verbally, rather than just typing, you will need a microphone. For best audio quality we recommend a microphone and speaker headset. For more information and to test your computer, go to the Virtual Room in your UCLearn site and 'Join Course Room'. This will trigger a tutorial to help familiarise you with the functionality of the virtual room.

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

Additional information

Research Led Education

This unit involves research-led education. There are active researchers delivering this unit who are able to engage students in deep and active learning and transmit to students their passion for the research they are carrying out.

Provision of information to the group

Notifications through the Canvas Announcements Forum or the Canvas Discussion Forums 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 (Canvas forum messages are also emailed to student email addresses only).  Students should ensure they check their student email regularly.  The Canvas discussion forums will be checked by staff regularly.

Use of student email account

The University Email policy states that "students wishing to contact the University via email regarding administrative or academic matters need to send the email from the University account for identity verification purposes".  Therefore 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.

Absence

In all cases of absence, sickness or personal problems it is the student's responsibility to ensure that the Unit Convener is informed. The minimum participation requirement must be met in order to pass the unit (regardless of supporting documentation).

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.