Students
STAT3599 – PACE: Professional Practice for Statistical Data Sciences
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
Frank Valckenborgh
Contact via email
12WW613
Any time when not teaching or meeting.
Lecturer
Maurizio Manuguerra
Contact via email
12WW630
By appointment
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|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
10
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
20cp from STAT units at 3000 level
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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 PACE unit integrates learning from previous units to prepare students for the workplace through collaboration with a partner organisation. Students work closely with a project sponsor to solve a problem or design a study. They develop skills in understanding mathematical/statistical problems, discussing the problem-solving cycle, clarifying client needs, selecting appropriate techniques, and applying them competently. Students also learn to recognise when familiar methods don't apply and to seek alternative solutions, write reports for clients or colleagues, present findings verbally, and discuss the ethical aspects of professional work. Visit Employability Connect for important information on this unit including required preparation and closing dates for PACE activities. Learning in this unit enhances student understanding of global challenges identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) Good Health and Well Being; Quality Education; Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure; |
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: Critically analyse and describe the client's problem and apply principles, models, tools, techniques, technology and processes to provide a solution.
- ULO2: Effectively communicate stages and results of the project (in both written and oral form)
- ULO3: Recognise and address ethical issues when they arise based on an understanding of professional ethic
- ULO4: Improve ability to work co-operatively as a team member
General Assessment Information
Requirements to Pass this Unit To pass this unit you must:
• Achieve a total mark equal to or greater than 50%.
Hurdle Assessments
There are no hurdle assessments for this unit. Attendance and participation in the workshops is expected for this unit, and is part of the assessment.
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.
- Project Plan – YES, Standard Late Penalty applies
- Project Report – YES, Standard Late Penalty applies
- Project Presentation – NO, unless Special Consideration is granted
Special Considerations
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://connect.mq.edu.au.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project Plan | 15% | No | 24/08/2025 (Week 4) |
| Project Report | 50% | No | 20/10/2025 (Week 11) |
| Project Presentation | 35% | No | During classes in weeks 11, 12, 13, as agreed |
Project Plan
Assessment Type 1: Plan
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: 24/08/2025 (Week 4)
Weighting: 15%
The project plan is a document where students outline what they are going to do to address the issues raised by the partner (i.e. designing a study or solving a problem) in a given time frame (i.e. project milestones achieved within the session).
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically analyse and describe the client's problem and apply principles, models, tools, techniques, technology and processes to provide a solution.
- Effectively communicate stages and results of the project (in both written and oral form)
- Recognise and address ethical issues when they arise based on an understanding of professional ethic
- Improve ability to work co-operatively as a team member
Project Report
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 18 hours
Due: 20/10/2025 (Week 11)
Weighting: 50%
Written report to demonstrate a solution to a client problem and self reflect on previous learning, group process, technical aspects of the group project and working with partner experience.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically analyse and describe the client's problem and apply principles, models, tools, techniques, technology and processes to provide a solution.
- Effectively communicate stages and results of the project (in both written and oral form)
- Recognise and address ethical issues when they arise based on an understanding of professional ethic
- Improve ability to work co-operatively as a team member
Project Presentation
Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 13 hours
Due: During classes in weeks 11, 12, 13, as agreed
Weighting: 35%
All members of a group will present a talk on a particular aspect of the project.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Critically analyse and describe the client's problem and apply principles, models, tools, techniques, technology and processes to provide a solution.
- Effectively communicate stages and results of the project (in both written and oral form)
- Recognise and address ethical issues when they arise based on an understanding of professional ethic
- Improve ability to work co-operatively as a team member
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
Classes
Workshops (beginning in Week 1): There is one two-hour class each week.
The timetable for classes can be found on the University website at: https://publish.mq.edu.au/. Enrolment can be managed using eStudent at: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/technology/systems/estudent.
Methods of Communication
We will communicate with you via your university email or through announcements on iLearn. Queries to convenors can either be placed on the iLearn discussion board or sent to your lecturers from your university email address.
Unit Schedule
| WEEK | TOPIC | Staff |
| 1 | Introduction to consulting in statistical and mathematical sciences | MM & FV |
| 2 | Asking the right questions (oral communication skills) & Literature Review | MM & FV |
| 3 | Data preparation for analysis | MM & FV |
| 4 | Working in a group (skills required for effective group work) | MM & FV |
| 5 | Statistical Graphics | MM & FV |
| 6 | Writing a report (written communication skills) | MM & FV |
| 7 | Statistical and mathematical thinking | MM & FV |
| 8 | Human side of consulting (Guest lecture) | MM & FV |
| Mid semester break (not holiday) | ||
| 9 | Ethics in statistics & mathematics | MM & FV |
| 10 | Project Work | |
| 11 | Presentations of final projects | MM & FV |
| 12 | Presentations of final projects | MM & FV |
| 13 | Presentations of final projects | MM & FV |
This unit schedule is only tentative and can change due to guest lecturer availability or other reasons.
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:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
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.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
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:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
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.
Changes from Previous Offering
To enable students to focus more on learning, understanding, and reflecting on the unit content, we have revised the assessment structure as follows. There are now only three assessments of the work needed to complete the unit Project: Plan, Report and Presentation. Although no marks are associated with attendance, all activities provide essential content to support your understanding and successful completion of the assessments.
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.
Student feedback from the previous offering of this unit was very positive overall, with students pleased with the clarity around assessment requirements and the level of support from teaching staff. As such, no change to the delivery of the unit is planned, however we will continue to strive to improve the level of support and the level of student engagement.
Unit information based on version 2025.04 of the Handbook