Students

FOSE1000 – Becoming a Scientist

2025 – Session 2, In person-scheduled-weekday, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Lecturer
Jane Williamson
jane.williamson@mq.edu.au
205b Culloden Road, Office G10
By appointment
Lecturer
Stuart Hawkins
stuart.hawkins@mq.edu.au
12WW, Office 722
By appointment
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to Bachelor of Science
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
FOSX1000
Unit description Unit description

This unit is about you, who you want to be and where you want to go. It is designed to help you build a solid foundation of skills for success in learning to be a practising scientist. You will explore what being a scientist means for you, and how you would like to make a difference in the world. Investigate what types of knowledge systems contribute to our understanding and read and use information sources critically. Be empowered to learn effectively and respond to assessments with confidence, focusing on strengths and growth. You will widen your career options and see the impact science can have through real-world cases. Plan your time at university to achieve your personal goals and obtain a clear idea of where you want your degree to take you. This unit is designed to maximise your interaction with staff and students from a range of majors in practice-based activities. 

Learning in this unit enhances student understanding of global challenges identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) Quality Education; Responsible Consumption and Production

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: Communicate the significance of sustainability, Indigenous knowledges and practices, and social and ethical responsibility in scientific research and practice. 
  • ULO2: Identify skills for and reflect on project work, planning, and time management. 
  • ULO3: Develop and reflect on capabilities, preferences, and strategies for study; self-directed learning; collaborative learning; and communication in an academic context. 
  • ULO4: Explore potential career pathways and create an initial career plan by articulating personal interests, goals, strengths and values. 
  • ULO5: Explore and apply disciplinary skills to carry out a small scientific project and communicate its results. 

General Assessment Information

Requirements to Pass this Unit

FOSE1000 and FOSX1000 use competency-based (pass/fail) assessment where you demonstrate competency in essential scientific skills rather than receive traditional grades.

To pass this unit, you must:

  • Attempt all assessment tasks
  • Demonstrate competency in the Science Project Assessment (core requirement)
  • Demonstrate competency in at least one other assessment task

Your Path to Success

SGTAs (Small Group Teaching Activities) are where you'll build the skills needed for your assessments. These sessions include hands-on practice, peer collaboration, and direct support from teaching staff. Attending SGTAs gives you the best chance of success.

Workshops and SGTAs start Week 1—jump in from day one to get the most benefit.

Assessment Support Available:

  • Detailed rubrics for assessment tasks showing what competency looks like
  • Formative feedback opportunities before final submission

Full details and resources available on iLearn. There is no exam for FOSE1000 or FOSX1000.

Submission Details

Due time: 11:55 PM on the due date

Grace period: 1 hour for technical issues

Late Assessment Submission

Late assessments are not accepted in this unit unless a Special Consideration has been submitted and approved.

Remember: We're here to help you succeed. Use the support available and don't hesitate to ask for help when you need it.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Infographic 25% No 21/09/2025
Career and study goals and plans 35% No 19/10/2025
Science project 40% No 02/11/2025

Infographic

Assessment Type 1: Poster
Indicative Time on Task 2: 20 hours
Due: 21/09/2025
Weighting: 25%

 

You will be asked to select a topic in science that you find inspiring, and create an Infographic reflecting your research on this topic. 

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Communicate the significance of sustainability, Indigenous knowledges and practices, and social and ethical responsibility in scientific research and practice. 
  • Explore potential career pathways and create an initial career plan by articulating personal interests, goals, strengths and values. 

Career and study goals and plans

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 25 hours
Due: 19/10/2025
Weighting: 35%

 

You will work through activities exploring the place of science in the world, to consider your career and study goals and strategies. This assessment will help you take charge of your learning and plan towards your future. 

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Communicate the significance of sustainability, Indigenous knowledges and practices, and social and ethical responsibility in scientific research and practice. 
  • Identify skills for and reflect on project work, planning, and time management. 
  • Develop and reflect on capabilities, preferences, and strategies for study; self-directed learning; collaborative learning; and communication in an academic context. 
  • Explore potential career pathways and create an initial career plan by articulating personal interests, goals, strengths and values. 

Science project

Assessment Type 1: Project
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 02/11/2025
Weighting: 40%

 

You will experience practising science by undertaking a project. You will create a report based on your project.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Identify skills for and reflect on project work, planning, and time management. 
  • Develop and reflect on capabilities, preferences, and strategies for study; self-directed learning; collaborative learning; and communication in an academic context. 
  • Explore and apply disciplinary skills to carry out a small scientific project and communicate its results. 

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

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

This unit guide is for FOSE1000 and FOSX1000. Please ensure you read the correct sections for the unit you are enrolled in.

Delivery

There is no textbook assigned to this unit.

FOSE1000

FOSE1000 includes a two hour workshop each week, held on Thursdays from 11 am to 1 pm. There is also a two-hour SGTA (Small Group Teaching Activity) session on Monday afternoons, and you will be allocated to either the 1–3 pm or 3–5 pm timeslot. Please ensure you attend the correct time and room allocation.

Workshops and the SGTAs will be delivered face to face. Please check the University Timetable portal for the room bookings and their locations. Attending the workshop and your allocated SGTA is strongly advised each week. Please ensure that you read any available material for each workshop and SGTA before you attend the class.

The class timetable for this unit can be found through the University Timetable portal. You should also check the unit schedule as some weeks may have other instructions or locations. If you are also enrolled in CHEM1002, you must choose a STGA spot class in the 1 to 3 pm spot. It is your responsibility to resolve any unit clashes as soon as possible.

FOSX1000

FOSX1000 includes a two hour workshop each week, which will be recorded. Weekly recordings will be made available on Thursdays after 1.30 pm. There is also a two-hour SGTA ((Small Group Teaching Activity). You will also be allocated a modified version of the weekly SGTAs for you to work through in your own time.

FOSX1000 students will be provided a 1 hour weekly drop-in session in the evening each week (time TBA). Please ensure that you read any available material for each workshop and SGTA before you attempt the class.

Methods of Communication

We will contact you through your university email and post announcements on iLearn for any unexpected adjustments made during the unit so make sure you check these regularly.

All questions on unit content should be posted on the iLearn forum. We will be monitoring the forum and ensuring all questions are correctly answered. Please feel free to answer your peers' questions if you are sure of the answer.

If you have questions, please use the iLearn forum or send them via the unit email listed on iLearn. Do not use the convenors' personal university emails for FOSE1000 or FOSX1000-related queries, as these may be overlooked and unanswered.

Please use the email fose1000@mq.edu.au for all communication relating to FOSE1000 and FOSX1000.

Unit web page (iLearn)

The primary means of communication for FOSE1000 and FOSX1000 is via iLearn and email (fose1000@mq.edu.au - same email for both). iLearn is a web-based computer-mediated communication package and can be accessed by most web browsers from inside or outside the University.

We expect you to use iLearn for:

  1. Regularly checking for announcements (at least twice per week)
  2. Discussing the unit and its content with staff and other students
  3. Downloading the workshop and SGTA materials

New to iLearn or Macquarie University? You can find out more, including how to log in, at: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/technology/

Experiencing difficulties? contact the IT Service Desk at help@mq.edu.au.

Unit Schedule

Week Date SGTA Workshop Due dates (11.55 pm)
1 28-Jul Orientation to the Unit Introduction  
2 4-Aug Project Choice Being a Scientist  
3 11-Aug Sustainability & Ethics Indigenous Knowledge  
4 18-Aug Indigenous Knowledge Information Literacy  
5 25-Aug Project Project Planning & Collaboratove Work  
6 1-Sep Project Time Management & Learning Habits  
7 8-Sep Project AI & Research Integrity  
8 15-Sep Project Processing & Analysing Data 21 Sep, Infographic
    Mid Semeseter Break    
9 6-Oct Public Holiday Formal Writing  
10 13-Oct Project Reflection on becoming a Scientist 19 Oct, Portfolio
11 20-Oct Project Time to Write  
12 27-Oct Preparing for your Career Careers Festival 2 Nov, Project
13 3-Nov Wrap-up Wrap-up  

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 connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

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

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

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

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

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 2025.05 of the Handbook