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Unit outline_

HPSC3002: Hist and Phil of the Biomedical Sciences

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

This Unit of Study is dedicated to the science of life, and focuses on the history and philosophy of biology and medicine. Findings about phenomena such as the origins of life, evolution, and the relative contributions of DNA and various environmental factors to living processes have been debated not only by scientists but also the public. New accounts of the nature of disease and novel treatment strategies call for critical reflection on their implications. In this Unit of Study, we will take a closer look at a wide range of research concerned with life, disease, and death. We will focus in particular on the contributions historians and philosophers of science can make to discussions in the life sciences.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit History and Philosophy of Science Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
(HPSC2100 or HPSC2900) and (HPSC1001 or HPSC1901 or HPSC2101 or HPSC2901)
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Peter Godfrey-Smith, peter.godfrey-smith@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Rebecca Mann, rebecca.c.mann@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment Essay
Essay
25% Formal exam period
Due date: 11 Nov 2024 at 23:00

Closing date: 15 Dec 2024
3000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5
Presentation Tutorial presentation
Oral presentation of final essay plan, based on a one page written outline
25% Multiple weeks 30 minutes approximately
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO2
Participation Participation
Discussion in lectures and tutorials
20% Ongoing Variable
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Written Exercise
Short written exercise
10% Week 04
Due date: 23 Aug 2024 at 23:00

Closing date: 30 Aug 2024
750 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO2 LO1 LO5
Assignment Written Exercise
Written Exercise
10% Week 06
Due date: 06 Sep 2024 at 23:00

Closing date: 13 Sep 2024
750 words
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO4 LO2 LO1 LO5
Assignment Written Exercise
Written Exercise
10% Week 08
Due date: 20 Sep 2024 at 23:00

Closing date: 27 Sep 2024
750 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Assessment summary

Class presentation (25%)

Ongoing, throughout the semester, as scheduled for each student.

Students will be rostered to present once in tutorial for roughly 30 minutes on their plans for the final essay. This will be based on a one page written outline.

Participation in discussion (20%)

Ongoing, throughout the semester

Students are expected to contribute to discussion in tutorials. Contribution to discussion in the lectures may also affect this part of the mark.

3 x 750 word exercises (10% each)

Written exercises done over three days in weeks 4, 6 and 8.

Essay (25%)

Essays are approximately 3,000 words. Essay questions will be posted on Canvas. You may also propose a different topic.

 

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 HD 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 DI 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 sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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.

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.

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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Introduction to the themes of the course Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 02 A Historical Introduction to Biology, and to Some Philosophies of Nature Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 03 Evolution: A closer look at evolution and "natural selection" Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Adaptation, Construction, and Teleology Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 05 The Nature of Species Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 06 Genes and the "Gene's Eye View" Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 07 Social Behavior and Human Nature Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 08 Biological Individuals, Part 1 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Biological Individuals, Part 2 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Biological Individuals, Part 3 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Life and Mind, Part 1 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Life and Mind, Part 2 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Life and Mind, Part 3 Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

Students are required to attend all tutorials and engage in discussion. If you have to miss a tutorial, talk to the tutor about how to make up marks. 

 

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.

Required readings

All readings will be posted on Canvas.

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. gain insight into contemporary biological/biomedical practice by examining basic topics such as life, evolution, ecology, genetics, and microbiology
  • LO2. understand core conceptual and theoretical issues and debates in a range of fields in biology/biomedicine
  • LO3. examine scientific texts and identify key philosophical and historical themes for further analysis
  • LO4. develop original arguments for and about biological/biomedical topics
  • LO5. develop the necessary reasoning and communication skills for analysing science in multiple contexts.

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 unit has been completely overhauled, due to the change in instructors.

All information about the course and how to complete it successfully is on the Canvas site.

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.