UC Preparation Scheme (9307.2)

The UC Prep unit focuses on academic skills development. The unit content is tailored to individual students' development as much as possible. The unit includes the development and understanding of critical thinking, discourse and the production of knowledge including Indigenous ways of knowing being and doing, analysis, argumentative essay skills, oral presentation skills, research skills, numeracy skills, group work/discussion skills and using an online environment to study. The unit uses a 'step up' process - where each skill is taught and practiced at a simple level (with low associated mark value). The student is given feedback constantly during this level so that the skill is fully understood, and confidence is gained. The second level is given much more emphasis and importance (with associated higher marks) so that the student can use their first step skills to succeed at the higher level. Reflection, feedback, observation and practice are the main processes used to build skill acquisition and to increase students' success and confidence in their own abilities. The unit encourages peer-to-peer learning and a collaborative approach for example, watching and marking each other's oral presentations, reading past students' essays and reports as well as the present ones. This also involves encouraging networking through group work and social events.

Learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Identify, evaluate, and organise information effectively within an academic context;
2. Utilise effective research strategies;
3. Critically analyse, evaluate and communicate information;
4. Analyse and interpret academic culture/context and apply this to communication of information within an academic context; and
5. Review and evaluate metacognition within an academic environment and apply understanding of this.

Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
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
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
2. UC graduates are global citizens - communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas
4. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing - use Indigenous histories and traditional ecological knowledge to develop and augment understanding of their discipline

Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.