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Unit outline_

BIOL3888: Biology Interdisciplinary Project

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

Our ever-changing world requires knowledge that extends across multiple disciplines. 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 apply them to a real-world problem. For example, you will participate in one of a range of biology projects that will traverse cells to ecosystems, applying your understanding of biological mechanisms to problems that are big challenges for the 21st century. In this unit, you will continue to understand and explore disciplinary knowledge, while also meeting and collaborating with students from across the University 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 future.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
Completion of 72cp of units of study, including 12cp from (BIOL2XXX or IMMU2X11 or GEGE2X01 or MICR2X31)
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Lucy Mercer-Mapstone, lucy.mercer-mapstone@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Dominic Murphy, dominic.murphy@sydney.edu.au
Lucy Mercer-Mapstone, lucy.mercer-mapstone@sydney.edu.au
Hamutal Mazrier, hamutal.mazrier@sydney.edu.au
Greg Sutherland, g.sutherland@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Januar Harianto, januar.harianto@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Teamwork evaluation
Two short questionnaires
15% Multiple weeks Two short questionnaires
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO6
Assignment Disciplinary statement of contribution
Individual written essay.
35% Week 04
Due date: 20 Sep 2020 at 23:59
1500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO2
Presentation group assignment Group pitch presentation
In-class oral presentation
10% Week 06
Due date: 27 Sep 2020 at 23:59
10minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment group assignment Final consultancy report
Written group report
30% Week 11
Due date: 15 Nov 2020 at 23:59
3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO7 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Reflective statement
Reflective essay
10% Week 12
Due date: 22 Nov 2020 at 23:59
750 words
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO6 LO7
group assignment = group assignment ?

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

At High-distinction level, a student demonstrates a flair for the subject as well as a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the unit material. A ‘High Distinction’ reflects exceptional achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates the ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding to produce original solutions for novel or highly complex problems and/or comprehensive critical discussions of theoretical concepts.

Distinction

75 - 84

At Distinction level, a student demonstrates an aptitude for the subject and a well-developed understanding of the unit material. A ‘Distinction’ reflects excellent achievement and is awarded to a student who demonstrates an ability to apply their subject knowledge and understanding of the subject to produce good solutions for challenging problems and/or a reasonably well-developed critical analysis of theoretical concepts.

Credit

65 - 74

At CR level, a student demonstrates a good command and knowledge of the unit material. A ‘Credit’ reflects solid achievement and is awarded to a student who has a broad general understanding of the unit material and can solve routine problems and/or identify and superficially discuss theoretical concepts.

Pass

50 - 64

At PS level, a student demonstrates proficiency in the unit material. A ‘Pass’ reflects satisfactory achievement and is awarded to a student who has threshold knowledge.

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.

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
Week 01 How does disease interrelate with society and why does an interdisciplinary approach matter? Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Unpacking interdisciplinary & disciplinary cultures Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO5 LO6
Introduction to disciplinary sessions; What is ‘culture’? Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Week 02 What can we learn from what historical examples show us about the way government and different areas of society react to and are impacted by epidemics/disease? Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Intro to Project work: Teamwork & collaboration, team formation and analysis, team charters Workshop (2 hr) LO3 LO5 LO6
What is science and scientific culture? Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Week 03 What is the interrelationship between climate change and disease? Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Cultural competence & reflection, revisit team charter Workshop (2 hr) LO5 LO6
What constitutes your own disciplinary culture? Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Week 04 What are the opportunities and risks of genetic selection programs and gene editing to prevent or reduce disease? Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Identifying & scoping an interdisciplinary research problem Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
What can we learn from other science/disciplinary cultures? PLUS Drop-in session with coordinator for disciplinary statement of contribution assessment and project pitch assessment Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO5 LO6
Week 05 Is COVID-19 the new norm? Learning for the future from differential approaches to and outcomes from dealing with a pandemic Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Individual group bookings: one on one times with a coordinator Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO7
Biostatistics session one Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Pitch Proposal Presentations Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6 LO7
Pitch Proposal Presentations Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO6 LO7
Biostatistics session two Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 What is our ethical obligation as scientists to drive social change to prevent disease? Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Communicating interdisciplinary ideas for diverse non-technical audiences Workshop (2 hr) LO6 LO7
Biostatistics session three Tutorial (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Human’s best friends or dangerous pathogen reservoirs for zoonotic diseases? Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Considering ethics and ethical thinking in interdisciplinary research Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6
Reflection and reflective writing Tutorial (1 hr) LO5 LO7
Week 09 Will Silicon Valley save humanity? Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2
Using interdisciplinary research to influence policy; Peer review Workshop (2 hr) LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 10 Looking back and looking forward: Making recommendations from interdisciplinary projects Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO7
Individual group bookings: one on one times with a coordinator Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7
Drop-in session with coordinator for project report assessment Tutorial (1 hr) LO1
Week 11 Time to work on project output Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Individual group bookings: one on one times with a coordinator Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7
Drop-in session with coordinator for reflection assessment Tutorial (1 hr) LO1
Week 12 Time to work on reflective summary Lecture (2 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7
Projects show case Workshop (2 hr) LO7

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. Apply disciplinary knowledge to solve problems in an interdisciplinary context.
  • LO2. Find, define and delimit authentic problems in order to address them.
  • LO3. Create an investigation strategy, explore solutions, discuss approaches and predict outcomes.
  • LO4. Analyse data using modern information technology and digital skills.
  • LO5. Demonstrate integrity, confidence, personal resilience and the capacity to manage challenges, both individually and in diverse teams.
  • LO6. Collaborate with diverse groups and across cultural and disciplinary boundaries to develop solutions(s) to the project problems.
  • LO7. Communicate project outcomes effectively to a broad audience.

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.

This is the first time this unit has been offered.

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.