Students

FOSX1000 – Becoming a scientist

2026 – Session 2, Online-scheduled-weekday

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Convenor
Stuart Hawkins
stuart.hawkins@mq.edu.au
Raelene Sheppard
raelene.sheppard@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Acceptance into OUA Bachelor of Science
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
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

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

All assessments in this unit are hurdles. To pass this unit, you must:

  • Attempt all three assessment tasks

  • Demonstrate competency in all three assessment tasks

In the case where you have made a serious first attempt at a hurdle requirement but have failed to meet it, you will be given one further opportunity to meet that hurdle requirement provided your performance in the unit is otherwise satisfactory.

Late Assessment Submission

Late assessments are not accepted in this unit unless you apply for a Short Extension or a Special Consideration has been submitted and approved.

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. 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. 

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 Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Portfolio Foundation 15% Yes 04/09/2026 Individual Yes Open
Scientific Practice Portfolio 35% Yes 06/11/2026 Individual Yes Open
Science Project 50% Yes 30/10/2026 Individual Yes Open

Portfolio Foundation

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 15 hours
Due: 04/09/2026
Weighting: 15%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

In the first weeks of session, you will establish the foundation of your portfolio. You will reflect on your current skills, approaches to learning, and initial sense of where your science degree might take you, setting a baseline that you will build on throughout the unit.
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 potential career pathways and create an initial career plan by articulating personal interests, goals, strengths and values. 

Scientific Practice Portfolio

Assessment Type 1: Portfolio
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: 06/11/2026
Weighting: 35%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

Drawing on your experiences across the unit- in workshops, in your science project, and in your own reflection - you will complete your portfolio by documenting your development as a scientist, your engagement with the values and responsibilities of scientific practice, and your professional direction.
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: Professional task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 40 hours
Due: 30/10/2026
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: Yes
AI Approach: Open
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

You will experience practicing 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
  • Academic Success 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.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

Workshops

Workshops start in week 1, a recording will be available through ECHO360

Small Group Teaching Activities (SGTAs)

Science projects start in week 4 and can be completed in your own time or you can choose to join one of the FOSE1000 SGTAs. There will be an online one-hour weekly drop-in session in the evening. For details see the iLearn site.

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 or sent to the unit convenor via the contact email on iLearn.

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 https://students.mq.edu.au/support/technology/service-desk. 

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 2026.06 of the Handbook