APP BIOL 3550WT - Professional Practice for Applied Biology III

Waite Campus - Semester 2 - 2021

Professional Practice for Applied Biology III seeks to equip students in the Bachelor of Applied Biology program with the knowledge and skills required for professional engagement in applied biology disciplines. The course will focus on developing student awareness and capability across the following themes: awareness and application of research conduct and integrity; human and animal ethics in research; biosecurity; an introduction to gene technology regulation; the communication of science via formal channels and informal channels; the importance of basic computer coding and analysis in Applied Biology; the role of commercialisation and intellectual property in biology, and tools for career-readiness.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code APP BIOL 3550WT
    Course Professional Practice for Applied Biology III
    Coordinating Unit School of Agriculture, Food and Wine
    Term Semester 2
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s Waite Campus
    Units 6
    Contact Up to 9 hours per week plus an intensive week in mid-semester break
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange N
    Incompatible APP BIOL 3500WT
    Restrictions Available to Bachelor of Applied Biology students only
    Assessment Written assignments, oral presentation
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Professor Matthew Tucker

    Course Timetable

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

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On successful completion of this course students should be able to:

    1. Explain the concept of ethics in biological research, and apply this knowledge to the preparation of applications for research activities.


    2. Explain the role of regulatory authorities and regulation in the planning, approval and conduct of biological research.


    3. Analyse and present biological data using basic R coding.


    4. Have sufficient knowledge to be able to find the appropriate regulations and understand the formal requirements in order to assist in preparing applications for approval to carry out biological research.


    5. Communicate scientific information in a formal way as would be used for grant applications or scientific publication.


    6. Communicate scientific information in lay terms as would be used for the media, public or the broader community.


    7. Identify career goals and develop the skills to achieve them.
    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)
    1-6
    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
    1-6
    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
    3-6
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1-7
    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
    1,4
    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
    4-7
  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    1 x workshop session of up to 3 hours. This will incorporate a lectorial style presentation delivered by AFW academics and guest lecturers, and/or a formal scientific presentation delivered by Waite Campus staff or visitors.

    Workshops will introduce the key principles of research integrity and conduct, human and animal ethics, gene regulatory processes, commercialisation and intellectual property, scientific communication and career readiness. 

    Guest lecture presentations will provide the basis for class-based learning activities. These will be supported by interactive, online modules as well as scenario/role playing, analysis of case studies, and the preparation of written reports and mock applications for science communication and job applications.

    Placement in a laboratory or similar workplace (private or public enterprise) for the equivalent of approximately one day per week for 12 weeks (120 hours), with increased attendance during the intensive week in mid-semester break. Assessment includes a final short talk reporting on placement activities.
    Workload

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

    A student enrolled in a 6-unit course, such as this, should expect to spend, on average 24 hours per week on the studies required. This includes both the formal contact time required to the course (e.g., lectures and practicals), as well as non-contact time (e.g., reading and revision).
    Learning Activities Summary
    Workshops will introduce the key principles of research integrity and conduct, human and animal ethics, gene regulatory processes, commercialisation and intellectual property, scientific communication and career readiness. These will be supported by case-studies, role playing and class based activities to be worked through individually or in small groups. Online modules will also be utilised to build on the material covered in workshops.

    Specific Course Requirements
    Access to "University Ethics in Research", "Guardian Online Training in Biosecurity", "Epigeum Research Methods in the Sciences", and "Epigeum Research Integrity Biomedical Sciences" online courses or equivalent courses. Online course costs are covered by the teaching budget.
    Small Group Discovery Experience
    Not applicable
  • 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 Hurdle? Learning Outcome
    Epigeum online modules or equivalent – Research Integrity and Research Methods Formative & Summative

    Week 8

    10% No 1,2,4
    Online quiz on gene technology regulation or equivalent Formative & Summative Week 8 5% No 2,4
    Successful completion of Animal Ethics and Biosecurity Online modules and certification or equivalent Formative & Summative Week 8 10% No 1,2,4
    Comparison of formal and informal modes of scientific communication Formative & Summative Week 13 15% No 5,6
    Compilation and submission of Academic Portfolio and applying and being interviewed for a Mock Position Formative & Summative Week 4 & 11 20% No 6,7
    Diary logging placement activities and a short oral presentation (10 min) summarising and reporting on placement activities Formative & Summative Week 12 30% No 5,6,7
    R-coding assessment task Formative & Summative Week 10 10% No 3
    Assessment Detail
    1. Online modules – including epigeum/research integrity (10%), gene technology regulation (5%), animal ethics and biosecurity (10%).

    2. Science Communication Assessment Tasks (15%) – students write a scientific journal style review summary (1000 words) (7.5%), and a Conversation piece for lay audience (7.5%) on a topic of their choice and approved by the course coordinator.

    3. Career readiness (20%) – includes 5% for selection of a target job and preparation of a cover letter, and 15% for mock job interview and cv/academic portfolio.

    4. Work placement (30%) - including a diary logging placement activities (15%), and a short (10 min) presentation to the class reporting on placement activities (15%). Placement to be completed within the first 11 weeks of semester 2.

    5. R coding assessment (10%) – students will use data provided to answer a series of questions and generate relevant figures.
    Submission
    If an extension is not applied for, or not granted, then a penalty for late submission will apply. A penalty of 10% of the value of the assignment for each calendar day that the assignment is late (i.e. weekends count as 2 days), up to a maximum of 50% of the available marks will be applied. This means that an assignment that is 5 days late or more without an approved extension can only receive a maximum of 50% of the marks available for that assignment.
    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
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