Outline

Overview

The laboratory investigation of animal diseases requires an interdisciplinary approach that may involve collaboration between pathologists, microbiologists, geneticists, epidemiologists, biotechnologists, statisticians, livestock managers, ecologists, public health workers, and governmental biosecurity agencies. The ability to identify and explore interdisciplinary links is a crucial skill for emerging professionals and researchers alike. This unit presents the opportunity to bring together the concepts and skills you have learnt in your discipline and work with students from other disciplines or industry partners to investigate a real-world problem. In this inquiry- based unit, students will engage in projects that engages students in a real-life animal disease-based investigation in collaboration with students from other disciplines or industry partners, supervised by a range of industry-engaged academics. The focus is on developing interdisciplinary skills, an investigative approach, and critical thinking and analysis in the context of the many faces of animal disease investigation. In this unit, you will continue to understand and explore disciplinary knowledge, while also meeting and collaborating with students from across the University or industry partners through project-based learning; identifying and solving problems, collecting and analysing data and communicating your findings to a diverse audience. All of these skills are highly valued by employers. This unit will foster the ability to work in interdisciplinary teams, and this is essential for both professional and research pathways in the future.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	AVBS2001 and AVBS3001
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	Fundamental mechanisms of disease, basic microbiology and parasitology, basic epidemiology
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Damien Higgins, damien.higgins@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Emily Francis, emily.francis@sydney.edu.au
	Hamutal Mazrier, hamutal.mazrier@sydney.edu.au
	Gary Muscatello, gary.muscatello@sydney.edu.au
	Jan Slapeta, jan.slapeta@sydney.edu.au
	Damien Higgins, damien.higgins@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Presentation	Presentation interdisciplinary Oral presentation	10%	Multiple weeks Due date: 25 Oct 2024 at 23:59	10 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Fundamental concepts in Interdisciplinary work Online quiz	5%	Week 04 Due date: 23 Aug 2024 at 23:59	Online quiz, no time limit
Outcomes assessed:
Online task	Test validation and application and project planning Online quiz	15%	Week 05 Due date: 30 Aug 2024 at 23:59	Online quiz, no time limit
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Disciplinary final report Report on Disciplinary project	20%	Week 09 Due date: 27 Sep 2024 at 23:59	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Lab Book- Disciplinary project Lab book- individual	10%	Week 09 Due date: 27 Sep 2024 at 23:59	No Limit
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Report Interdisciplinary Project Report	20%	Week 13 Due date: 01 Nov 2024 at 23:59	1500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Participation	Self and peer assessment of contribution- interdisciplinary Online self and peer evaluation	10%	Week 13 Due date: 01 Nov 2024 at 15:03	n/a
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Reflective statement interdisciplinary Reflection on interdisciplinary work	10%	Week 13 Due date: 01 Nov 2024 at 23:59	250 words
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Interdisciplinary concepts: In this quiz you will demonstrate understanding of interdisciplinarity.

Disciplinary Quiz on test validation applicationnand project planning: In this quiz you will demonstrate your understanding of the above

Disciplinary project report: For this assessment you will critically evaluate and report on your disciplinary project

Disciplinary project lab book: This will demonstarte your individual engagement and understanding of the project

Interdisciplinary presentation: Together with your group you will present orally the progress of your group interdisciplinary project face to face and receive feedback

Final interdisciplinary report: As a group you will prepare a group report on your project, including your methods and approach, results and discussion, and supplementary material (e.g. meeting minutes).

Reflective statement: In this statement you will reflect on learning in this unit and interdisciplinarity and contrast it with your perceptions at the strat and how it benefits your future career.

Self and Peer assessment: Here you will eveluate your own and your peer's engagement and contribution to the group project

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Grade	Mark	Criteria
FAIL	(<50%)	The main point of the task is not answered. Content of the answer is irrelevant and fails to address the question or task. Presentation, grammar or structure is so unclear that the answer cannot be understood. Evidence of plagiarism; inadequate attendance at practical classes and lectures.
PASS	(50%-65%)	A pass grade may be awarded if the work is of an acceptable standard and the following applies: Only one aspect of the question is answered and is incomplete. It contains evidence of a rudimentary understanding of the subject matter. A reasonable attempt has been made to organise material logically and comprehensibly. The work may contain irregularities of style and expression that do not, however, interfere with meaning.
CREDIT	(65%-75%)	A credit grade may be awarded if the criteria for a pass grade are met in addition to the following: The work is competent and all parts are answered fully and accurately. There is evidence of additional reading. There is demonstration of good selection of evidence and critical evaluation of material. Independent thought is demonstrated. It is presented in a clear and logical style.
DISTINCTION	(75%-85%)	A distinction grade may be awarded if the work fulfills all the criteria outlined for a credit, but in addition, is of a superior standard and demonstrates the following: The student demonstrates advanced critical understanding of the principles underlying the unit of study. The work demonstrates initiative in research and reading.
HIGH DISTINCTION	(85%-100%)	A high distinction grade may be awarded if the work fulfills all the criteria outlined for a distinction, but in addition is of exceptional quality and demonstrates outstanding critical understanding of the principles underlying the unit of study.

These grade descriptors have general applicability. Specific assessment tasFor more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.ks may have specific variations of these grade descriptors

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Penalties of 5% per day will apply for late submissions

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Weekly	Weekly lectures to support project work, covering case studies, and disease investigation methods and investigative approaches	Lecture (1 hr)
	Weekly interdisciplinary workshops/ tutorials to plan projects and gain exposure to interdisciplinary expertise from peers, lecturers and external industry contacts.	Workshop (2 hr)
	Weekly practical activities covering all aspects of investigation including: literature searching, collaborative project design, exercises on laboratory method validation and optimization, project execution, and analysis and synthesis of results.	Practical (3 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Unless otherwise stated, students are expected to attend at least 80% of timetabled activities as defined in the unit of study outline. A student may fail this unit of study because of inadequate attendance.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Evaluate relevant literature and results of investigations to develop hypotheses and investigative approaches within the framework of interdisciplinary disease investigations.
LO2. Assess the advantages and limitations of contemporary disease investigation techniques and use this assessment to inform the development of hypotheses and investigative approaches.
LO3. Justify proposed disease scenario investigation approaches with specific reference to both the validity of the technical strategies and the applicability and relevance of the approach across broad social, scientific, and economic realms.
LO4. Describe and successfully carry out simple laboratory techniques associated with animal disease investigations.
LO5. Describe basic occupational health and safety and quality control issues and associated procedures and regulations associated with disease investigations in the laboratory.
LO6. Critically reflect upon completed disease investigations holistically and explain the importance of this reflection in the scientific process.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This year we are responding to feedback from students to monitor engagement from all group members in group work (by introducing individual lab books, reflection tasks and self and peer assessments, and reducing group sizes)

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Students participating in laboratory work require Q fever vaccination and are required to abide by all laboratory safety requirements.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

AVBS3888: Laboratory Disease Investigations

Semester 2, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect