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Unit outline_

BIOL2022: Biology Experimental Design and Analysis

Semester 2, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit provides foundational skills essential for doing research in biology and for critically judging the research of others. We consider how biology is practiced as a quantitative, experimental and theoretical science. We focus on the underlying principles and practical skills you need to explore questions and test hypotheses, particularly where background variation (error) is inherently high. In so doing, the unit provides you with an understanding of how biological research is designed, analysed and interpreted using statistics. Lectures focus on sound experimental and statistical principles, using examples in ecology and other fields of biology to demonstrate concepts. In the practical sessions, you will design and perform, analyse (using appropriate statistical tools) and interpret your own experiments to answer research questions in topics relevant to your particular interest. This unit of study provides a suitable foundation for senior biology units of study.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
6cp from (BIOL1XXX or MBLG1XXX or ENVX1001 or ENVX1002 or DATA1001 or MATH1XX5)
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
BIOL2922 or BIOL3006 or BIOL3906
Assumed knowledge
? 

BIOL1XXX or MBLG1XXX

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Clare McArthur, clare.mcarthur@sydney.edu.au
Laboratory supervisor(s) Zeinab Hazime, zeinab.hazime@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Mathew Crowther, mathew.crowther@sydney.edu.au
Ziggy Marzinelli, e.marzinelli@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Take-home short release) Type D final exam Final written exam
Take-home (short release) extended answers; 2h exam plus 1h for upload.
40% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8 LO9
Assignment Prac part 3: individual practical written report
Report
20% STUVAC see lab manual
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9
Presentation group assignment Prac part 1: group practical presentation
Oral/pdf presentation
20% Week 04 see lab manual
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO8 LO9
Assignment Prac part 2: individual practical written report
Report
20% Week 09 see lab manual
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO7 LO8 LO9
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type D final exam = Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas. 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (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.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

outstanding

Distinction

75 - 84

excellent

Credit

65 - 74

good

Pass

50 - 64

satisfactory

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

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:

5% per day

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.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Multiple weeks MODULE 1: fundamentals of good experimental design and analysis Lecture (12 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5
MODULE 2: applying good univariate experimental design and analysis in answering biological research Lecture (6 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO8
MODULE 3: applying good multivariate experimental design and analysis in a complex biological world Lecture (8 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
MODULE 1: using the logical framework in the research process Practical (12 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO7 LO8 LO9
MODULE 2: answering real-world univariate biological research questions Practical (15 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO7 LO8 LO9
MODULE 3: applying multivariate analyses to complex real-world systems Practical (12 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance: The lectures and pracs are directly linked. It is very important that you stay up-to-date with lectures (even if via Zoom) to understand your prac work, and vice versa. This is your best opportunity to engage with lecturers, lecture and prac material, to ask questions and have your concerns responded to.

We remain flexible in how we will run this unit. We will accommodate face-to-face or on-line practical sessions, depending on the covid-19 restrictions.

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 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.

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

  • LO1. understand the process of experimental design and analysis in biological research
  • LO2. understand the concepts of the frequentist approach to statistics and null hypothesis testing
  • LO3. understand the characteristics of data amenable to classic parametric statistics, non-parametric and permutational statistics
  • LO4. understand the philosophical difference between the frequentist approach, and information-theory and Bayesian approaches
  • LO5. appreciate classic parametric statistics and their application in biological research
  • LO6. appreciate the principles underpinning the common techniques for analysing multi-variate data
  • LO7. design, analyse with appropriate software, and interpret simple experiments with uni- and multi-variate data, developed from initial biological questions and observations
  • LO8. evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of biological research, in terms of experimental design, analysis and interpretation
  • LO9. communicate concisely and with clarity the process, outcomes and implications of biological research, verbally and in plain written English

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

We've adjusted our lectures to better demonstrate how to choose the appropriate experimental designs.

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

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.