Students

FOSX1025 – Scientific Computing

2021 – Session 1, Fully online/virtual

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.

General Information

Download as PDF
Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor, Lecturer
Diego Molla-Aliod
diego.molla-aliod@mq.edu.au
Contact via 02 9850 9531
Room 358, 4 Research Park Drive
Provided on the right panel of iLearn
Lecturer
Gaurav Gupta
gaurav.gupta@mq.edu.au
Contact via 02 9850 6341
Room 261, 4 Research Park drive
Provided on the right panel of iLearn
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
FOSE1025
Unit description Unit description

This unit introduces essential concepts and techniques of computing for conducting science, with special emphasis on the preparation and manipulation of data. We discuss the role of computers and computing tools in science and focus on the use of spreadsheets and other data manipulation tools. This unit introduces vital skills for tertiary learning and explores their relationship to success in future careers.

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: Demonstrate foundational knowledge of the role of data, computing and computing tools for science.
  • ULO2: Determine the appropriate computing tool for the key stages of data manipulation.
  • ULO3: Prepare and clean data so that it can be processed by computer tools.
  • ULO4: Communicate the steps performed in the preparation and processing of data so that they can be reproduced.
  • ULO5: Explain the ethical implications of the use of computers for gathering, processing, and storing data.
  • ULO6: Demonstrate foundational employability and self-directed learning skills, including recording academic achievements to link university study to future careers.

General Assessment Information

This unit does not have a final exam. Instead, there will be in-class tests at the weeks listed in the table above.

Participation in class is a hurdle without an assessment weight. In order to pass FOSX1025, by the end of each week you must complete the activities related to the lectures and Small Group Teaching Activities (SGTA) of the current week. In particular, you must engage in the activities of at least the following:

  • 7 SGTA 1 sessions. These are listed as "Practical_1" in your timetable.
  • 7 SGTA 2 sessions. These are listed as "Practical_2" in your timetable.
  • 7 lectures.

The foundation activities are a hurdle without an assessment weight. This means that these activities are not graded but you must complete them as outlined in order to pass this unit. This unit has been designed so that 20% of student workload is allocated to these activities. Some activities will be automatically graded, but all will ask you to apply the modules to your work in this unit, general university studies and your personal goals. You will be informed of any due dates, but most modules can be completed in your own time.  See your iLearn unit for detailed information on how to complete these modules.

There will be 4 in-class tests at the weeks as specified in the table above.

The project and portfolio is based on an individual project where you will apply some of the skills learnt during the unit on a practical problem.

In the reproducibility project is a two-stage project where you will write a report (stage 1) and then you will assess the reproducibility of someone else's report (stage 2).

No extensions will be granted without an approved application for Special Consideration. There will be a deduction of 10% of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24-hour period or part thereof that the submission is late. For example, 25 hours late in submission for an assignment worth 10 marks – 20% penalty or 2 marks deducted from the total.  No submission will be accepted after solutions have been posted.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Participation in class 0% Yes End of each week
Foundation Activities 0% Yes During the semester
In-class tests 60% No Weeks 3, 6, 9, 12
Project 30% No Week 11
Reproducibility Project 10% No Weeks 12 and 13

Participation in class

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: End of each week
Weighting: 0%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

Attendance and participation in lectures, tutorials, and workshops

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate foundational knowledge of the role of data, computing and computing tools for science.
  • Determine the appropriate computing tool for the key stages of data manipulation.
  • Communicate the steps performed in the preparation and processing of data so that they can be reproduced.
  • Prepare and clean data so that it can be processed by computer tools.
  • Explain the ethical implications of the use of computers for gathering, processing, and storing data.
  • Demonstrate foundational employability and self-directed learning skills, including recording academic achievements to link university study to future careers.

Foundation Activities

Assessment Type 1: Participatory task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: During the semester
Weighting: 0%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

 

Activities related to foundational employability and self-directed learning skills

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate foundational employability and self-directed learning skills, including recording academic achievements to link university study to future careers.

In-class tests

Assessment Type 1: Quiz/Test
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: Weeks 3, 6, 9, 12
Weighting: 60%

 

One in-class quiz for each principal module.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate foundational knowledge of the role of data, computing and computing tools for science.
  • Determine the appropriate computing tool for the key stages of data manipulation.
  • Communicate the steps performed in the preparation and processing of data so that they can be reproduced.
  • Prepare and clean data so that it can be processed by computer tools.
  • Explain the ethical implications of the use of computers for gathering, processing, and storing data.
  • Demonstrate foundational employability and self-directed learning skills, including recording academic achievements to link university study to future careers.

Project

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 50 hours
Due: Week 11
Weighting: 30%

 

Development of a project in several stages: 1. data preparation, 2. processing, 3. presentation

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Demonstrate foundational knowledge of the role of data, computing and computing tools for science.
  • Determine the appropriate computing tool for the key stages of data manipulation.
  • Communicate the steps performed in the preparation and processing of data so that they can be reproduced.
  • Prepare and clean data so that it can be processed by computer tools.
  • Demonstrate foundational employability and self-directed learning skills, including recording academic achievements to link university study to future careers.

Reproducibility Project

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: Weeks 12 and 13
Weighting: 10%

 

Peer assessment of the reproducibility of a project

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Determine the appropriate computing tool for the key stages of data manipulation.
  • Communicate the steps performed in the preparation and processing of data so that they can be reproduced.
  • Demonstrate foundational employability and self-directed learning skills, including recording academic achievements to link university study to future careers.

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

During most of the weeks, there will be 2 hours of lectures and 2 hours of Small Group Teaching Activities (SGTA) - the SGTA activities are listed as "Practical" in your timetable. All the required software will be installed in the computers but you are free to bring your own device and install the software.

There are no lectures from week 11, and no lecture-related SGTA sessions from week 12. Instead, from week 11 there will be other activities related to improving your employability skills. These activities will be detailed in iLearn.

Delivery Modes

At the time of writing this unit guide, the plan is:

  • Lectures will be delivered online during the entire semester. Lectures will be recorded in case you cannot attend the live lecture.
  • SGTA sessions will be delivered online. There are no set times for these sessions; you will be able to complete them at your own time.
  • All assessment will be online.

The online delivery of lectures and online SGTA will be via Macquarie University's Zoom web conferencing system (https://macquarie.zoom.us/). You will be able to login using your Macquarie OneID.

Any changes to this plan will be announced in iLearn.

Software

The unit will use the following software:

Textbooks and Reading

This unit does not have a textbook. Each week we will assign reading material and videos. These will be made available via iLearn.

Unit Schedule

The following weekly schedule is tentative:

  1. Computing in Science
  2. Basic concepts of computing
  3. Data types and data frames
  4. Data exploration
  5. Storing data
  6. Scripts for reproducibility
  7. Cleaning data
  8. Transforming data
  9. Summarising and analysing data
  10. Ethics and Reproducibility
  11. Foundational skills (I)
  12. Foundational skills (II)
  13. Foundational skills (III)

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.

Changes from Previous Offering

There are no major changes from the previous offering.

Assessment Standards

FOSE1025 will be assessed and graded according to the University assessment and grading policies.

The following general standards of achievement will be used to assess each of the assessment tasks with respect to the letter grades. 

Grade Range Description
HD 85-100 Provides consistent evidence of deep and critical understanding in relation to the learning outcomes. There is substantial originality, insight or creativity in identifying, generating and communicating competing arguments, perspectives or problem solving approaches; critical evaluation of problems, their solutions and their implications; creativity in application as appropriate to the course/program.
D 75-84 Provides evidence of integration and evaluation of critical ideas, principles and theories, distinctive insight and ability in applying relevant skills and concepts in relation to learning outcomes. There is demonstration of frequent originality or creativity in defining and analysing issues or problems and providing solutions; and the use of means of communication appropriate to the course/program and the audience.
CR 65-74 Provides evidence of learning that goes beyond replication of content knowledge or skills relevant to the learning outcomes. There is demonstration of substantial understanding of fundamental concepts in the field of study and the ability to apply these concepts in a variety of contexts; convincing argumentation with appropriate coherent justification; communication of ideas fluently and clearly in terms of the conventions of the course/program.
P 50-64 Provides sufficient evidence of the achievement of learning outcomes. There is demonstration of understanding and application of fundamental concepts of the course/program; routine argumentation with acceptable justification; communication of information and ideas adequately in terms of the conventions of the course/program. The learning attainment is considered satisfactory or adequate or competent or capable in relation to the specified outcomes.
F 0-49 Does not provide evidence of attainment of learning outcomes. There is missing or partial or superficial or faulty understanding and application of the fundamental concepts in the field of study; missing, undeveloped, inappropriate or confusing argumentation; incomplete, confusing or lacking communication of ideas in ways that give little attention to the conventions of the course/program.

Assessment Process

These assessment standards will be used to give a numeric mark to each assessment submission during marking. The final mark for the unit will be calculated by combining the marks for all assessment tasks according to the percentage weightings shown in the assessment summary.

Unit information based on version 2021.02 of the Handbook