Unit Guide

General Information

Unit convenor and teaching staff	Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor Christopher Gordon chris.gordon@mq.edu.au Contact via Via email 12WW 618 By appointment Lecturer Frank Valckenborgh frank.valckenborgh@mq.edu.au Contact via Via email 12WW 613 By appointment
Credit points	Credit points 10
Prerequisites	Prerequisites
Corequisites	Corequisites
Co-badged status	Co-badged status
Unit description	Unit description An introduction to the basic quantitative methods and techniques common to much of science. You will learn how to formulate scientific problems using mathematical language, use a range of techniques to analyse and solve these problems, and gain an understanding of how to interpret the solutions. Amongst other topics, this unit will cover rates of change, graphical display and interpretation of mathematical concepts, logarithmic and exponential scales, all in the context of scientific measurement and analysis. In the process, this unit introduces vital skills for tertiary learning and explores their relationship to your 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: Analyze problems in multiple science disciplines, at foundation level, using mathematical concepts and techniques.
ULO2: Communicate mathematical concepts in a variety of ways using formal and informal presentations including the use of graphical methods and appropriate software.
ULO3: Identify the mathematical principles underlying basic discipline-specific problems.
ULO4: Create and interpret the content of mathematical models relevant to foundation level science topics.
ULO5: Demonstrate foundational employability and self-directed learning skills, including recording academic achievements to link university study to future careers.

General Assessment Information

Requirements to Pass this Unit To pass this unit you must:

• Achieve each hurdle task, and

• Achieve a total mark equal to or greater than 50%, and

• Participate in a minimum of 8 of the 11 weekly SGTA classes

Hurdle Assessments

- Participation in SGTA classes (weight 0%). Development of knowledge and skills requires continual practice. During SGTAs you will practice a range of mathematical techniques. To pass this hurdle assessment, you must be able to demonstrate your progress in developing and communicating knowledge and skills in 8 of the 11 SGTAs. This is a hurdle assessment meaning that failure to meet this requirement may result in a fail grade for the unit. Students are permitted up to three absences: additional absences will require a Special Consideration to be applied for (see below).

- Employability tasks (weight 0%)

There are 6 employabilty modules, each of which is a hurdle in it own right. Some of the modules, such as the Learner and Collaborator modules, have separate parts each of which must be completed.

- Test 1 (weight 20%)

Test 1 is a hurdle. To achieve the hurdle mark, a mark of at leat 40% is needed. If a mark of between 30% and 40% is received, a second attempt at the test is allowed where again the hurdle mark is 40%; the mark on the second attempt is capped at 40%. If a mark of less than 30% is received on the first attempt, it is not possible to pass the unit.

Late Assessment Submission Penalty

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark of the task) will be applied for each day a written report or presentation assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. The submission time for all uploaded assessments is 11:55 pm. A 1-hour grace period will be provided to students who experience a technical concern. For any late submission of time sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, please apply for Special Consideration. Assessments where Late Submissions will be accepted, or not accepted:

• Assignment 1 – YES, Standard Late Penalty applies

• Assignment 2 – YES, Standard Late Penalty applies

• Vodcast – YES, Standard Late Penalty applies

• Test 1 - NO, unless Special Consideration is granted

• Test 2 - NO, unless Special Consideration is granted

Special Consideration

The Special Consideration Policy aims to support students who have been impacted by short-term circumstances or events that are serious, unavoidable and significantly disruptive, and which may affect their performance in assessment.

Written Assessments/Quizzes/Tests: If you experience circumstances or events that affect your ability to complete the written assessments in this unit on time, please inform the convenor and submit a Special Consideration request through ask.mq.edu.au.

Participation in SGTA classes: To pass the unit you need to demonstrate ongoing development of skills and application of knowledge in 8 out of 11 of the weekly SGTA classes. If you miss a weekly SGTA class due to a serious, unavoidable and significant disruption, contact your convenor ASAP as you may be able to attend another class that week. If it is not possible to attend another class, you should still contact your convenor for access to class material to review in your own time. Note that a Special Consideration should only be applied for if you miss more than three of the weekly SGTA classes.

Assessment Tasks

Name	Weighting	Hurdle	Due
Foundation activities	0%	Yes	Ongoing
Participation in SGTA classes	0%	Yes	Weeks 1-11
Test 1 (online)	20%	Yes	Week 6
Assignment 1	20%	No	Week 7
Test 2 (online)	20%	No	Week 10
Assignment 2	20%	No	Week 11
Vodcast	20%	No	Week 12

Foundation activities

Assessment Type ¹: Practice-based task
Indicative Time on Task ²: 0 hours
Due: Ongoing
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