Unit completion

To pass this unit students need to:

• Achieve an overall minimum grade of 50% attained through the combined marks of three assessments

• Note that the work undertaken in SGTAs and the PACE activity forms the basis of assessments. Therefore students will only do well in assessments if they participate in pre-SGTA modules, attend and participate in SGTAs, and undertake a PACE activity. 

Assessment Submission

• Assessments must be submitted via iLearn by 11:55 pm on their due date. 
• A 1-hour grace period will be provided to students who experience a technical concern.
• Universal design applies to all assessments and there are no time-sensitive assessments.
• All assessments are set at the start of the unit enabling ample time for completion.

Late Assessment Submission

• Applies to assessment 1 (Future Health), Assessment 2 (Work ready final submission) and Assessment 3 (Partnering with Industry)
• Late assessments are not accepted in this unit unless a Special Consideration has been submitted and approved.

Special Consideration

Applies to assessment 1 (Future Health), Assessment 2 (Work ready final submission) and Assessment 3 (Partnering with Industry)

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

Classes begin in week 1

SGTAs and Seminar begin in week 1 of the session

Methods of Communication

• We will communicate with you via your university email and through announcements on iLearn. 
• Queries to convenors can either be placed on the iLearn discussion board - this is preferable for queries that directly relate to unit content, unit activities, or assessments. Queries can also be sent via email to the unit email BIOL3661@mq.edu.au. 
• Email unit convenors directly for more serious matters of an individual nature and that do not directly relate to unit content, unit activities, or assessments. 

Learning and Teaching module

BIOL3661 is delivered in a flipped classroom mode where students are required to do pre-class tasks in preparation for activities in weekly SGTAs (weeks 1-7). Completing these tasks before weekly SGTAs will ensure that you get the best from the unit, and are in a position to participate and interact with students in SGTA activities.

PACE activities

The PACE component of BIOL3661 can be completed in two ways.

1. Individual internship – students seek out an internship opportunity and complete required PACE forms for approval. Students who choose this PACE option do not need to attend SGTAs from week 8-12.
2. SGTA group-based activity – students complete their PACE experience by undertaking activities in partnership with unit designated industry partners. Project deliverables are completed in small groups in SGTAs and additional hours outside of the classroom. Students who choose this PACE option need to attend SGTAs from week 8-12.

CLASSES

Seminar - beggining week 1

BIOL3661 has one online seminar per week where guest speakers relating will cover topics relating to career progression and research themes. 

Over 80% of the lecturers in this unit are external to Macquarie University and work at other institutes. These scientists, postdocs, students and professionals are giving up their time to present information to you and to assist you with the next stages of your career. Please endeavour to attend seminars and respect the time and contributions that the speakers are providing for you. 

Small group teaching activities - beggining week 1 

Weeks 1-7 and 13

In the first seven weekly 2-hour classes (weeks 1-7) students undertake small group activities and problem-based learning to identify and develop key skills that will support their careers after completion of the Bachelor of Medical Sciences.

There are activities associated with the employability modules that need to be completed before attending class to ensure that you and other students get the best from time in class and the unit. The SGTAs in weeks 1-7 are integral to completing all assessments in BIOL3661.

Weeks 8-12 - PACE group activity only

Students complete their PACE activity on campus in partnership with an external organisation that have provided projects and clear deliverables.

Health in classes

• If you are experiencing any cold or flu symptoms please consider the health of others and avoid attending classes.
• Please also consider wearing a mask to prevent spread of respiratory diseases, especially during times of heightened cases.

We value student feedback to be able to continually improve the way we offer our units. As such we encourage students to provide constructive feedback via student surveys, to the teaching staff directly, or via the FSE Student Experience & Feedback link in the iLearn page. 

PACE activity

• In previous offerings of this unit the PACE acitivty was completed as a group project with unit designated partner organisations. 
• From 2024 students have the choice to find and complete an individual internship or participate in a group project with unit designated partner organisations.
• PACE workloadhours have been increased to 70 hours

Assessments

In this offering two assessments have been changed. 

1. Future Health - submission format change. Previously, this assesment compised a written brief on a global health issue and recorded interview between a pair of studnets on their topics. While the learning outcomes and assessment themes have not been changed the submission format is now a poster. 
2. Partnering with Industry - submission format change. PACE was previously assessed on deliverables provided by groups to partner organisations. In this offering PACE is assessed according to individual student experiences of their PACE activity and completion of work, health and safety modules. Assessment is based on the content submitted in a pre-recorded presentation.