bio2pos practice of science
PRACTICE OF SCIENCE
BIO2POS
2016
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
This subject will focus on case studies of biological research and will explore how science proceeds from the generation of a research question to interpretation of the data analysis. Students will explore the biological context for each study, the generation of aims, research questions and hypotheses, the design of experiments and sampling methods, statistical analysis of hypotheses and finally, statistical and biological interpretation of the results. Students will work in small groups on a major experimental design task to apply their learning of these elements of scientific investigation to a novel biological problem.
SchoolSchool of Life Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorFiona Bird
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 2 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites Recommended prerequisite (but not essential): one of STA1DCT, STA1LS, STA1CTS or MAT1MAB
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjectsN/A
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Introduction to SPSS for the Biological Sciences | Prescribed | Department of Mathematics and Statistics, 4th Edition | Department of Mathematics and Statistics |
| Readings | Intro Stats, 1st edition | Recommended | David S Moore | Freeman |
| Readings | Data and models, 3rd edition | Recommended | Richard D. De Veaux, Paul F. Velleman, David E. Bock, 3rd Edition | Pearson |
| Readings | Experimental Design for the Life Sciences | Recommended | Ruxton G & Colegrove N, 3rd Edition | Oxford University Press |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Identify what makes a hypothesis scientific and transform a research question into a hypothesis format.
- Activities:
- Lectures, online module, tutorial activities discussions, Experimental design group task
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. Identify, explain and apply experimental design elements to various biological research questions
- Activities:
- Lectures, online module, tutorial activities discussions, Experimental design group task
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
03. Identify types of variables and levels of measurement, and apply this knowledge to experimental design and statistical analysis.
- Activities:
- Lectures, online module, tutorial activities discussions
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
04. Identify the appropriate statistical test for analyzing data for selected experimental designs and interpret SPSS outputs.
- Activities:
- Lectures, online module, tutorial activities discussions, Experimental design group task
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
05. Describe and interpret the results of analysis of biological experiments using statistical and biological terms
- Activities:
- Lectures, online module, tutorial activities discussions
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
Subject options
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Melbourne, 2016, Semester 1, Blended
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorFiona Bird
Class requirements
LectureWeek: 10 - 22
Two 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
TutorialWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.0 hours tutorial per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
"Students will be required to complete the online module (including a quiz) each week prior to attending the tutorial (approximately 1-2 hours of work"
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experimental design group task (equivalent to 750 words) | The task comprises two parts: Part A (contribution to groupwork equivalent to 250 words) 10%. Part B (individual submission equivalent to 500 words) 20%. | 30 | 01, 02, 04 |
| Online learning activities and quizzes | Online modules with quizzes are to be completed during the subject (7 quizzes in total). | 35 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 |
| 2 hr end-of semester exam | 30 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 | |
| Group oral presentation (equivalent to 250 words) | Students will give a short, group oral presentation during the tutorial in week 2. | 5 | 01 |