EDUC 1006 - Science for University A

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2018

This course offers students of both 'Preparation for University Program' and 'The Wirltu Yarlu University Preparatory Program' the opportunity to advance their science skills in preparation for future university study in a variety of disciplines such as health sciences, engineering and applied science. The aim of this course is for students to learn and understand scientific concepts and theories and apply this knowledge to real-world contexts. Students will also gain an understanding of the scientific process and learn to interpret and write scientific papers. The course will cover some of the fundamental theories and concepts in physics and biology, including Newton's laws and the genetic code. Students will be assessed on conducting an experiment and writing a scientific report as well as their understanding of some key concepts and theories in physics and biology. On completion of this course, it is expected for students to be able to collect and present data, critically evaluate scientific papers and apply scientific theories and concepts to a range of real life situations.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code EDUC 1006
    Course Science for University A
    Coordinating Unit School of Education
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 36 hours
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Restrictions This class is only open for students in the University Preparatory Program or the Wirltu Yarlu Preparatory Program.
    Assessment Short Critical Review; Group Presentation; In-class tests; Essay; Major Scientific Critical Review
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Ms Amy Robinson

    Lecturer and Tutor: Dr. Wayne Hobbs wayne.hobbs@adelaide.edu.au 

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    Upon successful completion of this course, students should be able to

    1.     Learn and understand concepts in science (physics and biology) and apply these concepts to real-world observations;    

    2.     Understand the scientific process, conduct experiments and write scientific reports;
           
    3.     Work with other students to construct a complex machine and explain the scientific principals involved;
           
    4.     Source and interpret scientific articles;
           
    5.     Discuss and critique scientific research.


    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1, 2, 3
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    2, 3, 4, 5
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    1, 3
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1, 2, 3
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    2, 3
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    2, 3
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Readings will be distributed in class and on MyUni as required.
    Recommended Resources
    Please see MyUni for details.
    Online Learning
    This course will use MyUni for the provision of course materials, the submission of student assignments, and the facilitation of discussions through discussion boards.

    MyUni will also be used for essential communication including via email, so please check your University email regularly (at least three times a week). If you have a smartphone it is strongly recommended that you set up your email on it for easy and regular access to your University email. For guidance
    on how to do this, visit:

    https://www.adelaide.edu.au/its/networks/mobile/support/config/#mobile

    Remember, the most useful portal for all University online activities is Unified:
    https://unified.adelaide.edu.au/web/mycampus/home



  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course will be comprised of interactive lectures (one hour per week) and tutorials (two hours per week).
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.


    1 x 1 hour lecture per week 12 hours
    1 x 2 hour tutorial per week 24 hours
    9 hour reading/private study per week (x12) 108 hours
    Total 142 hours
    Learning Activities Summary
    WeekTopic
    1 What is Science? Forces; Experiments
    2 Forces and Simple Machines
    3 Forces and Rube Goldberg machines
    4 Energy
    5 Electromagnetic waves; sound waves
    6 Forces, energy and the Universe
    Mid-semester break
    7 Introduction to Biology
    8 The genetic code
    9 Cells
    10 Evolution
    11 Vertebrates
    12 Life so far...
    13 Biology Test (no lecture)

    For clarification on which dates correspond to which weeks, please visit:
    http://www.adelaide.edu.au/student/dates/
    Specific Course Requirements
    To pass this course, students must attend at least 75% of tutorials; in cases of absence for medical or compassionate reasons, documentation must be provided and students must still attend at least 50% of classes. If students fail to attend the minimum required number of tutorials, they will be considered to have not completed an assignment (see below).

     


    Small Group Discovery Experience
    The University of Adelaide has committed to a pedagogical approach termed the “Small Group Discovery Experience”, indicating that the SHDE will be a core component in a credit-bearing course of every undergraduate program, and that it will be part of every first-year level from 2014. Since the UPP is not an award-based program, it is not strictly required to include an SGDE in the UPP.

    However, since the UPP is designed to prepare students for first-year study, and the SGDE will be a core component of all first-year study, it is important for the UPP to provide some preparation in Small Group Discovery. These should be of a scaffolded, preparatory nature as befits each course within the program, and the philosophy and program objectives of the UPP. The Program has been designed to include preparation for small group work and research activity in many of its courses.

    More specifically, this course aims to prepare students for their small-group discovery experience by introducing them to scientific articles and discussion of scientific concepts and arguments, and by having students build a simple machine that demonstrates key concepts in physics.

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Task Type Due Weighting Learning Outcome
    Participation in lectures and tutorials Formative

    Ongoing

    10% 1, 2, 3, 4, 5
    Video Presentation on Rube Goldberg Machine (approx. 1-2 minutes per person) Formative RGM Blog, week 4 Non-graded 1, 3
    Experiment
    (1000-1500 words)
    Summative Friday, week 6 25% 1, 2, 4, 5
    Physics Test Summative In class (tutorial), week 7 20% 1, 2, 4, 5
    Biology assignment: Creature Features
    (1000 words)
    Summative Friday, week 12 25% 1
    Biology Test Summative In class (tutorial), week 13 20% 1
    Assessment Related Requirements
    Please see MyUni for details.

    Assessment Detail
    Please see MyUni for details.
    Submission
    Please see MyUni for details.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.