bio2pos practice of science

PRACTICE OF SCIENCE

BIO2POS

2017

Credit points: 15

Subject outline

BIO2POS will explore both experimental designissues and the use of statistics to analyse data from experiments. Basicstatistical concepts and aspects of experimental design will be introduced,followed by exploration of case studies of biological research. Students willexplore the biological context for each case study, the aims, researchquestions and hypotheses, the design of experiments and sampling methods,statistical analysis of hypotheses and finally, interpretation of the results. Using this knowledge, students willwork in small groups to identify a gap in knowledge by locating andsynthesising published research on a topic, create a novel research aim andhypothesis and, further develop the design of a theoretical experiment to testthe hypothesis (including consideration of ethical issues associated with theproposed research). Group work will commence in week 1. This subject addresses La Trobe's Innovation and EntrepreneurshipEssential by developing the ability to tackle problems creatively, generating new ideas, takingcalculated risks and creating change to achieve ambitions, nowand in the future.

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	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

Select to view your study options…

Melbourne, 2017, 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. Group work will commence in week 1 of semester."

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%. Groupwork will commence in week 1 of semester.	30	01, 02, 04
Online learning activities and quizzes (x 5 equivalent to 250 words each)	Online modules with quizzes are to be completed during the subject (5 quizzes in total).	15	01, 02, 03, 04, 05
1.5 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
Assignments (x 2 equivalent to 250 words each)		20	03, 04, 05