Students

BIOL3630 – Special Interest Topics in Biology

2021 – Session 2, Special circumstances

Session 2 Learning and Teaching Update

The decision has been made to conduct study online for the remainder of Session 2 for all units WITHOUT mandatory on-campus learning activities. Exams for Session 2 will also be online where possible to do so.

This is due to the extension of the lockdown orders and to provide certainty around arrangements for the remainder of Session 2. We hope to return to campus beyond Session 2 as soon as it is safe and appropriate to do so.

Some classes/teaching activities cannot be moved online and must be taught on campus. You should already know if you are in one of these classes/teaching activities and your unit convenor will provide you with more information via iLearn. If you want to confirm, see the list of units with mandatory on-campus classes/teaching activities.

Visit the MQ COVID-19 information page for more detail.

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Ken Cheng
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Permission by special approval
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

Students with a special interest in a particular area of biology may be permitted to enrol in this unit. Students work with an academic mentor to pursue literature-based research on a selected topic in biological sciences. It is necessary for the student to contact the coordinator and arrange for a staff member to supervise their readings and topic development. Assessment is based on two literature reviews, or equivalent, plus a seminar. Students taking this unit must be able to undertake self-directed and independent study.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Utilise data mining techniques and skills to comprehensively and rigorously research a topic (or topics) from the primary scientific literature
  • ULO2: Evaluate, synthesise, and assess the evidence presented in scientific literature
  • ULO3: Communicate your understanding of a topic using written scientific conventions
  • ULO4: Discuss and explore the most important data, results, and conclusions from the primary scientific literature

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Essay 2 40% No Week 12
Talk 18% No Week 13
Short Essay 2% No Week 3
Essay 1 40% No Week 8

Essay 2

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 60 hours
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 40%

 

Review paper in the form of an opinion piece in the family of Current Opinion journals

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Utilise data mining techniques and skills to comprehensively and rigorously research a topic (or topics) from the primary scientific literature
  • Evaluate, synthesise, and assess the evidence presented in scientific literature
  • Communicate your understanding of a topic using written scientific conventions
  • Discuss and explore the most important data, results, and conclusions from the primary scientific literature

Talk

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 12 hours
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 18%

 

Conference-style oral presentation

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Utilise data mining techniques and skills to comprehensively and rigorously research a topic (or topics) from the primary scientific literature
  • Evaluate, synthesise, and assess the evidence presented in scientific literature
  • Discuss and explore the most important data, results, and conclusions from the primary scientific literature

Short Essay

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: Week 3
Weighting: 2%

 

Write one or two paragraphs summarising a key paper for the first essay topic

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Utilise data mining techniques and skills to comprehensively and rigorously research a topic (or topics) from the primary scientific literature
  • Evaluate, synthesise, and assess the evidence presented in scientific literature
  • Communicate your understanding of a topic using written scientific conventions

Essay 1

Assessment Type 1: Essay
Indicative Time on Task 2: 60 hours
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 40%

 

Review paper in the form of an opinion piece in the family of Current Opinion journals

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Utilise data mining techniques and skills to comprehensively and rigorously research a topic (or topics) from the primary scientific literature
  • Evaluate, synthesise, and assess the evidence presented in scientific literature
  • Communicate your understanding of a topic using written scientific conventions
  • Discuss and explore the most important data, results, and conclusions from the primary scientific literature

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

The only scheduled event in this class is a session for talks in Week 13, to be arranged later. Otherwise, students work on their own to complete their assessments under the guidance of a supervisor.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Learning Skills

Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to help you improve your marks and take control of your study.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.

Student Enquiries

For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

IT Help

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.


Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook