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Unit outline_

OLET5702: Complex problem-solving

Intensive July, 2021 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

In this unit, you will learn practical techniques for addressing complex problems and the role of interdisciplinary perspectives in developing innovative strategies. Complex problems, sometimes referred to as being “Wicked”, include concerns of global dimension that deeply impact on the lives of people, such as climate change, mass urbanisation, world poverty and food security. Through examples, you will develop an understanding of what constitutes complex problems. You will be taken through scenarios, enabling your insights into the use of techniques across a range of practical situations. Through exercises and practice techniques you will integrate your disciplinary expertise with perspectives from other disciplines. Building on this understanding, you will assess and reflect on how problem-solving techniques can lead to innovative strategies that address complex challenges in research projects.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Design Lab
Credit points 2
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Martin Tomitsch, martin.tomitsch@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Martin Tomitsch, martin.tomitsch@sydney.edu.au
Maryanne Large, maryanne.large@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Tutorial quiz hurdle task Module 1 completion quiz
Online multiple-choice questions
25% Ongoing 25 questions
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment Defining a problem discussion post
Written submission
5% Week 04
Due date: 16 Jul 2021 at 17:00
-
Outcomes assessed: LO2
Assignment Peer feedback
Written submission
5% Week 05
Due date: 23 Jul 2021 at 17:00
-
Outcomes assessed: LO2
Assignment Research task to prepare for workshop
Written submission
30% Week 05
Due date: 23 Jul 2021 at 09:00
5-10 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO3
Presentation group assignment Pitch presentation
Verbal presentation
20% Week 06 10 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO3
Assignment Reflective statement
Written submission
15% Week 07
Due date: 06 Aug 2021 at 17:00
1-2 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO4
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Further instructions about each of the assessments are provided in 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

Work of outstanding quality, demonstrating mastery of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows significant innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or exceptional skill.

Distinction

75 - 84

Work of excellent quality, demonstrating a sound grasp of the learning outcomes assessed. The work shows innovation, experimentation, critical analysis, synthesis, insight, creativity, and/or superior skill.

Credit

65 - 74

Work of good quality, demonstrating more than satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed, or work of excellent quality for a majority of the learning outcomes assessed.

Pass

50 - 64

Work demonstrating satisfactory achievement of the learning outcomes assessed.

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
Ongoing Module 1: Wrestling with wicked problems Online class (10 hr) LO1
Module 2: The surprisingly difficult task of defining a problem Online class (10 hr) LO2
Module 3: The power of mapping a problem Online class (3 hr) LO3
Module 4: Exploring multiple futures Online class (10 hr) LO4
Week 06 Module 3: Workshop Workshop (7 hr) LO3

Attendance and class requirements

All students must attend the workshop to successfully complete the unit.

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 2 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 40-50 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

See Canvas site.

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 what constitutes a complex problem and what techniques exist to address them
  • LO2. Understand the value of defining a problem or issue in context
  • LO3. Practice problem-solving techniques integrating student disciplinary expertise with the perspectives from other disciplines
  • LO4. Analyse and reflect upon problem-solving techniques can lead to innovative strategies

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.