bio2pos practice of science
PRACTICE OF SCIENCE
BIO2POS
2019
Credit points: 15
Subject outline
BIO2POS is a second year level biology subject which explores both experimental design issues and the use of statistics to analyse data from experiments. Basic statistical concepts and aspects of experimental design will be introduced, followed by in-depth exploration of case studies of biological research. Using this knowledge, students will work in small groups to identify a gap in knowledge by locating and synthesising published research on a topic, create a novel research aim and hypothesis and, further develop the design of a theoretical experiment to test the hypothesis (including consideration of ethical issues associated with the proposed research). Group work will commence in week 1. This subject addresses La Trobe's Innovation and Entrepreneurship Essential by developing the ability to tackle problems creatively, generating new ideas, taking calculated risks and creating change to achieve ambitions, now and in the future.
SchoolSchool of Life Sciences
Credit points15
Subject Co-ordinatorPam Hurst
Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes
Subject year levelYear Level 2 - UG
Exchange StudentsYes
Subject particulars
Subject rules
Prerequisites Completion of 60 credit points of first year level subjects.
Co-requisitesN/A
Incompatible subjectsN/A
Equivalent subjectsN/A
Special conditionsN/A
Learning resources
Readings
| Resource Type | Title | Resource Requirement | Author and Year | Publisher |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Readings | Experimental Design for the Life Sciences | Recommended | Ruxton G & Colegrove N, 3rd Edition | Oxford University Press |
Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes
01. Identify what makes a hypothesis scientific and transform research questions into hypothesis format.
- Activities:
- Lectures, online module, tutorial activities discussions, Experimental design group task
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
02. Identify, explain and apply experimental design elements to various biological research questions
- Activities:
- Lectures, online module, tutorial activities discussions, Experimental design group task
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
03. Identify types of variables and levels of measurement, and apply this knowledge to experimental design and statistical analysis.
- Activities:
- Lectures, online module, tutorial activities discussions
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
04. Identify the appropriate statistical test for analyzing data for selected experimental designs and interpret SPSS outputs.
- Activities:
- Lectures, online module, tutorial activities discussions, Experimental design group task
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
05. Describe and interpret the results of analysis of biological experiments using statistical and biological terms
- Activities:
- Lectures, online module, tutorial activities discussions
- Related graduate capabilities and elements:
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy,Cultural Literacy)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Autonomy and independence,Ethical behaviour,Adaptability Skills,Study and Learning Skills)
- Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)
Subject options
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Melbourne, 2019, Semester 1, Blended
Overview
Online enrolmentYes
Maximum enrolment sizeN/A
Enrolment information
Subject Instance Co-ordinatorPam Hurst
Class requirements
LectureWeek: 10 - 22
Two 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
WorkShopWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.0 hours workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.
Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 10 - 22
Five 1.0 hours unscheduled online class per study period on any day including weekend during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via online.
"Students should complete online learning activities before attempting the quizzes."
Assessments
| Assessment element | Comments | % | ILO* |
|---|---|---|---|
| Experimental design group task (750-words equivalent, per student) | The task comprises two parts: Part A (contribution to groupwork equivalent to 250 words) 10%. Part B (individual submission equivalent to 500 words) 20%. Groupwork will commence in week 1 of semester. | 30 | 01, 02, 04 |
| Four online quizzes (250-words equivalent, each - total 1,000-words equivalent) | 15 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 | |
| 1.5 hr end-of semester exam (1,500-words equivalent) | 30 | 01, 02, 03, 04, 05 | |
| Group oral presentation (250-words equivalent) | Students will give a short, group oral presentation during the tutorial in week 2. | 5 | 01 |
| Two data analysis assignments (250-words equivalent, each) | 20 | 03, 04, 05 |