Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Kerstin Bilgmann
E8A 374
External Lecturer
Fran van den Berg
Online via appointment only
Unit Technical Support
Negin Farzadian
E8A 174
Kate Barry
Kerstin Bilgmann
|
---|---|
Credit points |
Credit points
3
|
Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
|
Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
Unit description |
Unit description
Biology in Practice is a skills based unit that aims to ensure you have the required laboratory, safety, field and practical skills essential to studying biology required as a basis for all units offered in the Department of Biological Sciences. The unit consists of a mixture of lectorials, tutorials and practicals. You will acquire hands-on skills for working in the field and the laboratory, including the use of microscopes, data collection, analysis and graphing, aseptic techniques, and skills for microbiological and molecular work, as well as accessing and interpreting scientific literature.
|
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
The on-line Safety Quiz (Prac 1) must be completed prior to the On-Campus Session 1.
THIS IS A PASS/FAIL UNIT, NO GRADES (P, CR, D, HD) ARE GIVEN
UNIT COMPLETION REQUIREMENTS
1. Submit all assessments and attempt all exams
2. Participate in all on-campus sessions
Externally enrolled students should pay particular care of activity and assessment deadlines, which vary from deadlines set for internal (Day) enrolled students undertaking the unit. Extensions will not be granted if External students confuse deadlines.
"Skills Achieved" portfolio certificates will be provided through iLearn as External students achieve skills during the unit. A student's skills portfolio certificate can be used in support of CV building in 3rd year Capstone Units.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
---|---|---|---|
Participation in pracs/tutes | 0% | Yes | 6 on-campus sessions |
Academic Integrity Modules | 0% | No | 18th March (week 3) |
Australian Scientist Summary | 5% | No | 25th March 2018 (Week 4) |
Lab/Tute Prep Activities | 10% | No | Prior to each OCS |
Mid-term Exam | 30% | No | 24th April (during OCS 4) |
Scientific Report | 20% | No | 3rd June (week 12) |
Final Exam | 35% | No | Exam period |
Due: 6 on-campus sessions
Weighting: 0%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
You must attend and participate in all block practical and tutorials classes to pass this unit. Please contact the first year teaching coordinator as soon as possible if you have difficulty attending and participating in any classes. There may be alternatives available to make up the work. If there are circumstances that mean you miss a class, you can apply for special consideration.
Due: 18th March (week 3)
Weighting: 0%
The Macquarie University Academic Integrity Module has been developed for students to understand their responsibilities and expectations surrounding the proper citation of materials/resources in their work when completing assessments. This is a pre-requisite - students are required to participate in order to pass BIOL116.
Due: 25th March 2018 (Week 4)
Weighting: 5%
Using information from the Australian Academy of Science's Interviews with Australian Scientists, students must summarise in their own words the contribution that their chosen scientist has made to Australian or International science, and why this is inspiring to the student. Word limit - 300 words. Students must submit their paragraph to Turnitin (for plagiarism assessment) in order to pass Biol116.
Due: Prior to each OCS
Weighting: 10%
Pre-class activities will be set prior to specific practicals and tutorials. Students must complete the activity prior to attending the practical or tutorial session for a grade to be awarded. Each activity will be assigned between 1% and 3% of your final grade. Most pre-class activities will require reading (e.g. articles, risk assessments, prac notes), accessing material (e.g. videos and other media) and answering questions on-line, or the advance preparation of text for a tutorial.
Due: 24th April (during OCS 4)
Weighting: 30%
External students will be examined on the skills they have experienced during the first three on-campus sessions (OCS 1-3 of the semester). Skills tested during the exam will include activities taken from material covered in OCS-delivered practicals and tutorial sessions. The mid-term exam will occur on the morning of the 24th April during the OCS 4.
Due: 3rd June (week 12)
Weighting: 20%
Students must use a standard scientific report structure (outlined in class and detailed on iLearn) to convey the experimental method and results of their field work survey undertaken on campus during practical sessions. Maximum limitation 1500 words. Students must submit their report to Turnitin (for plagiarism assessment). Students are required to submit this assessment in order to pass BIOL116.
Due: Exam period
Weighting: 35%
External students will be examined on the skills they have experienced within all six on-campus sessions (OCS 1- 6) of the semester. Skills tested during the exam will include activities taken from material covered in practicals and tutorial sessions. The final exam date for External students is scheduled within the University Examinations Period. Students are required to complete this assessment in order to pass BIOL116.
Tutorials are formulated around both independent and team activities that focus on problem solving and development of resource inquiry and writing skills. Access to the internet and the use of spreadsheet software (e.g. Excel (TM)) is assumed. External students should refer to the External Students Activity Submission Timetable below to ensure that they undertake tutorial activities by the correct due date.
External students have SIX COMPULSORY on-campus sessions to attend. OCSs are an intense and stimulating blend of activities and will also include assessments such as formal examinations. As the unit is focused on a student's handling of basic equipment in the lab/field, and development of technical and analytical skills, students will be expected to maintain an ePracbook during their OCS sessions.
External students should also take due note of the following:
• External students MUST WEAR ENCLOSED FOOT WARE to all practical sessions.
• Lab coats are not compulsory.
• All other personal protection such as gloves and safety glasses will be supplied as required by our approved risk assessment procedures.
• There are no dissections of animals in BIOL116, however, we do handle insects and take the ethical handling of all organisms very seriously.
• Students that have a medically-assessed allergy to gloves (latex, plastics, nitrile), pollen or crustaceans, or have a disability should make staff aware in advance so that alternative equipment and activities for certain practicals can be prepared in advance to ensure completion of the unit. Contact: biol116@mq.edu.au and in the subject line use the flag: Confidential Prac Allergy Notification - External.
• OCSs are compulsory and are a hurdle requirement of this unit.
Due to University policy on Workplace Health and Safety, access to all laboratory classes will be closed 10 minutes after the start time. Late entries will not be permitted under any circumstances.
Practical attendance and participation is compulsory and an attendance roll will be taken.
External students have two practical exams. The first on the morning of the fourth on-campus session and the second in the official exam period of semester. Practical exams will cover the following:
• OCS 4 (Tuesday 24th April, 2017). The mid-term practical exam will cover Tutorial, Pre-prac activities and Practical experiences or material covered up to and inclusive of the first 3 OCS. External students will be tested on equipment use or will need to answer technique or analytical questions.
• Semester 1 Exam Session (Exam period). The final practical exam will cover Tutorial, Pre-prac activities, and Practical material or experiences across the whole semester. External students will be tested on equipment use or will need to answer technique or analytical questions.
If you require an assignment extension or miss an exam due to illness/misadventure, please submit a request for special consideration via ask.mq.edu.au. If you miss a prac for any reason, please do not submit a formal request via ask.mq, but instead email the first year teaching co-ordinator via biol116@mq.edu.au.
Dates set for OCS sessions and External Exam
OCS 1 (1 day) Sat 10th March
OCS 2 (1 day) Sat 7th April
OCS 3-4 (2 days) Mon-Tues 23rd-24th April
OCS 5 (1 day) Sat 12th May
OCS 6 (1 day) Sat 2nd June
Final prac exam for Externals in formal exam period
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central).
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/getting-started/student-conduct
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Date | Description |
---|---|
27/02/2018 | Correction report due date |
25/02/2018 | Change to AIM due date |
13/02/2018 | Updated as per 'Student Engagement - 100-level Units' |
09/02/2018 | Special consideration info added. |