Notice
As part of Phase 3 of our return to campus plan, most units will now run tutorials, seminars and other small group activities on campus, and most will keep an online version available to those students unable to return or those who choose to continue their studies online.
To check the availability of face-to-face and online activities for your unit, please go to timetable viewer. To check detailed information on unit assessments visit your unit's iLearn space or consult your unit convenor.
Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Matthew Kosnik
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Credit points |
Credit points
10
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MRes
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
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Unit description |
Unit description
This unit is centred around the Department of Biological Sciences seminar series. It is designed to expose MRes students to the broad range of current research topics in biological sciences. Through the seminars and discussions with seminar speakers students will engage deeply with current research topics, develop their science communication skills, become embedded in our active research community, and reflect on their future goals in the discipline. |
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:
Academic Honesty – please read, as this is very important
Presenting the work of another person as one’s own is a serious breach of the University’s rules and carries significant penalties. The University’s Academic Honesty Policy can be found at http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
In this unit, we will be checking written work for plagiarism using TURNITIN. Penalties for plagiarism may include a zero mark for the assignment or in more extreme cases, failure of the unit. Plagiarism WILL be noted on your academic record. Full details of penalties can be found at http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/schedule_penalties.html
Extensions, penalties and disruptions to studies
Late assignments will attract a penalty of 10% of the total marks allocated to the exercise per day. You may hand in your work after the due date and escape penalty only if you have an acceptable reason (usually a medical certificate). Discuss your problem with the Lecturer as early as possible before the due date, however note that all requests for extensions MUST be submitted using the online form: ask.mq.edu.au.
Information about the Disruptions to Studies policy and procedure is online at Policy Central: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/procedure.html.
Information on managing your Disruptions to Studies: http://students.mq.edu.au/student_admin/manage_your_study_program/disruption_to_studies/
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Seminars and Discussions | 10% | No | Weekly |
Time on task reflection | 5% | No | Weekly |
Social media | 10% | No | TBD |
Goals and needs assessment | 10% | No | Week 3 or as agreed. |
Summary paragraph | 20% | No | Week 4 or as agreed. |
General audience science communitcation | 20% | No | Week 7 or as agreed. |
Short opinion | 25% | No | Week 10 or as agreed. |
Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 10%
The aim of attending seminars and discussions is to broaden your knowledge and provide research inspiration. Departmental Seminars & Discussions This is a forum for visiting scientists to convey topics of interest to the department and an excellent opportunity for Department members to learn about cutting edge research. These seminars will form the basis for the discussion groups, as well as your other assessments. Following each Department seminar, you will meet with the speaker as a group and discuss the topic they presented. These discussions allow researchers to explore the topics they covered in more depth, and for you to benefit from their knowledge and thoughts. Proactive participation in a discussion group subsequent to the departmental seminar is required. External Seminars In addition to the Biology Seminar Series, you will also be required to attend 3 seminars elsewhere (e.g. other departments at Macquarie University, other universities, museums, botanical gardens or other research oriented institutions).
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 8 hours
Due: Weekly
Weighting: 5%
Through the semester students will keep a time on task diary, and the end of the session they will reflect on the time required to perform various tasks and reflect on their time management.
Assessment Type 1: Non-academic writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: TBD
Weighting: 10%
Students will use social media and reflect on its role in science communication and professional networking.
Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: Week 3 or as agreed.
Weighting: 10%
Students will discuss research aspirations with a potential supervisor and researchers at various career stages to reflect on their research interests, preferred methods and modes of work and future goals.
Assessment Type 1: Professional writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 4 or as agreed.
Weighting: 20%
Using a departmental seminar as a basis, students will write a Nature summary paragraph.
Assessment Type 1: Non-academic writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Week 7 or as agreed.
Weighting: 20%
Based on one of the seminar topics, students will complete a science communication piece (blog, video, podcast, etc) aimed at a general audience.
Assessment Type 1: Professional writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 35 hours
Due: Week 10 or as agreed.
Weighting: 25%
Based on one of the seminar topics, students will write a short article to a professional standard.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Weekly seminars and discussions will happen via Zoom link to be provided via iLearn.
One full day workshop in week one is provided in person (with online back up available for those unable to attend in person). It is preferred that students attend the workshop in person if it is possible and they are felling well, but no formal medical certificate is required. Please advise the convenor as soon as possible if you will not be attending in person so that appropriate arrangements can be made.
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.
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 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
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 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.
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
If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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.
Date | Description |
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07/02/2021 | SC linkage |
Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook