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Unit outline_

SCDL2991: Leadership in STEMM

Semester 2, 2023 [Online] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

How can you prepare for impactful careers and leadership in science, technology, engineering, mathematics, and medicine (STEMM)? This unit will span leadership theory, experience, and practice. You will host, hear from, and engage with experts and leaders with experience leading a wide range of STEMM organizations and endeavours. Examples include entrepreneurs, science policy experts, scientific media personalities, coaching psychologists, leading academics, and leaders of scientific cultural institutions. A key aspect of this unit is your participation in practical leadership of your choice, reflection on this experience, and sharing your learning with your cohort of like-minded future leaders. This unit is open to any student enrolled in the Dalyell stream.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Psychology Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
must be in the Dalyell stream
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Sean O'Connor, sean.oconnor@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Small continuous assessment Online discussions
Online discussions
10% Ongoing ~10 minutes per week
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO5 LO4
Assignment Critical Reflection Journal
Journal
10% Week 02
Due date: 13 Aug 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 27 Aug 2023
Weekly entry of ~2 paragraphs
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO6
Assignment Leadership Aspect Pitch
Essay
5% Week 03
Due date: 20 Aug 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 03 Sep 2023
200 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Assignment Leadership Manual
Instruction manual
10% Week 06
Due date: 10 Sep 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 24 Sep 2023
1 single-sided page
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2
Creative assessment / demonstration Leadership Practice
Leadership participation
20% Week 07 At least 5 weeks
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO6 LO5
Assignment Case Study
Case study
20% Week 09
Due date: 08 Oct 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 22 Oct 2023
800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4
Assignment Critical Reflection Summary
Essay
20% Week 13
Due date: 05 Nov 2023 at 23:59

Closing date: 19 Nov 2023
800 words
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO6
Small continuous assessment Seminar discussions
Hosting and seminar participation
5% Weekly Mandatory weekly 1 hour classes
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO5 LO4

Assessment summary

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.

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 Seminar Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 02 Seminar Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 03 Seminar Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 04 Seminar Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Seminar Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 06 Seminar Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Seminar Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Seminar Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 09 Seminar Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 10 Seminar Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 11 Seminar Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 12 Seminar Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 13 Seminar Seminar (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4

Attendance and class requirements

You are expected to attend all seminar sessions. If you have a timetable clash, please resolve it or un-enrol and consider taking this unit next semester or next year.  If you expect to miss one class, please see the Canvas FAQ page for what to do.

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 key values, ethics and principles required of leaders
  • LO2. summarise current theories of leadership and models of best practice
  • LO3. explore the diversity of roles and expressions of leadership across the STEMM fields
  • LO4. demonstrate communication skills in a range of contexts
  • LO5. demonstrate and reflect on interpersonal strategies for effective leadership in varied teams and contexts
  • LO6. contribute practical leadership to a group or organisation you are involved with

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 have actively sought and responded to feedback in many areas. We have also updated key assessment so that while they are not changed in type or process they are more interconnected and related to personal development rather than being completely separate activities without clear theoretical connection.

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.