Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
Drew Allen
Contact via drew.allen@mq.edu.au
E8B217
Thursday 2-3pm, or by appointment
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Credit points |
Credit points
4
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Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MConsBiol or GradDipConsBiol or GradCertConsBiol or MSc
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Corequisites |
Corequisites
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Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
BIOL603
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Unit description |
Unit description
Biological organisms are inherently variable, which means that practicing biologists need a solid grasp of how to design experiments and how to interpret the resulting data. This unit provides a foundation in the principles of experimental design and data analysis for biology. The unit is taught by biology staff and draws on research carried out in the Department of Biological Sciences. Students also learn the overall process of asking and answering questions in biology. Students learn a range of common data analysis techniques, and how to interpret the outcomes of these analyses. There is a strong emphasis on critically evaluating biological studies and identifying sound conclusions and not-so-sound conclusions. This unit is strongly recommended for students planning a career in biology or environmental science.
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Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
Assessment details
Details of assessments will be provided on iLearn and in class.
Assignment submission
The Experiment Report must be submitted digitally through the Turnitin submission link on iLearn. All assessments need to be written in the students own words.
Academic honesty
The Experiment Report need to be written in the students own words. The penalties imposed by the University for plagiarism are serious and may include expulsion from the University. Evidence of plagiarism will be dealt with according to University policy. Penalties for plagiarism will be imposed and clearly defined in marking guides. Further penalties imposed by the Faculty disciplinary committee may range from a loss of all marks and awarding of a zero depending on the circumstances.
Extensions, penalties and Disruptions to Studies
If an assignment is submitted late, a penalty of 5% of the mark will be deducted per day that any work is submitted late (i.e. 10 days late = 50% of marks available).
If you experience a serious and unavoidable disruption to your studies and require an extension for an assessment please submit a Disruptions to Studies notification via ask.mq.edu.au with supporting documentation, and a Professional Authority Form completed by your health care professional. If you anticipate a potentially serious and unavoidable disruption (e.g. upcoming surgery) speak to the unit convenor early and apply for an extension before the due date.
Unit completion
To pass this unit, the student needs to achieve an overall minimum grade of 50%. The student must also pass both hurdle assessments, the exam of basic knowledge and the experimental report.
Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
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Weekly Quiz | 15% | No | Monday 5 pm, weekly |
Exam of Basic Stats Knowledge | 5% | Yes | Week 4 |
Mid-semester Exam | 15% | No | Week 8 |
Experiment Report | 20% | Yes | Friday 27 October, 5 pm |
Final Exam | 45% | No | Examination Period |
Due: Monday 5 pm, weekly
Weighting: 15%
Every week there will be an on-line quiz with example problems to complete. These problems will be based on that week's lectures and practicals and provide a chance for you to practice applying the concepts you have learned. It is strongly recommended that you make a serious effort to complete these quizzes.
Due: Week 4
Weighting: 5%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
You will be tested on your knowledge of basic statistical concepts and skills that were taught in STAT170. The test will be delivered as an online quiz through iLearn. Important: This is a hurdle assessment, meaning that you will not pass the unit if you do not pass this assessment. If you fail, but receive a mark of at least 40%, you will be given a second opportunity to take the exam.
Due: Week 8
Weighting: 15%
You will be tested on your knowledge of lecture material for weeks 1-6 in Week 8 (following semester break). This test will be delivered as an online assignment accessible through iLearn.
Due: Friday 27 October, 5 pm
Weighting: 20%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)
You will design, conduct and analyse data for an experiment of your own. You will be given a range of alternative experimental questions to choose from. You will need to pick a question, design and carry out an experiment addressing that question, then write up the results in the form of the methods and results sections of a scientific paper. Full details will be given at the start of semester. Important: This is a hurdle assessment, meaning that you will not pass the unit if you do not pass this assessment. If you fail on your first submission, but receive a mark of at least 40%, you will be given a second opportunity to submit the assignment for re-grading.
Due: Examination Period
Weighting: 45%
The final exam will be held during the Semester 2 Exam Period and will be 2 hr (plus 10 min reading time). Please consult the University Handbook to determine the commencement and finishing dates of the compulsory exam period. More details on the structure of the final exam will be given closer to the time.
Internal Students
Contact hours consist of 2 lectures and one 2-hour practical per week.
* Lecture and practical times will be available on iLearn.
External Students
Lecture material will be placed online for access by external students.
Practicals will take place online on Monday and Tuesday evenings from 7 - 9pm. The link to the online practical session will be made available on iLearn.
Recommended Reading
Other suggested reading:
Online: The Handbook of Biological Statistics http://udel.edu/~mcdonald/statintro.html is an excellent resource which covers many of the same topics as BIOL235 in a very accessible way.
Library: The library holds a wide range of books covering stats for biologists at different levels. Some favourites from the biology staff are listed below in approximate order of difficulty. These books will be placed in reserve.
Website
Lecture graphics and iLectures will be available on iLearn (http://ilearn.mq.edu.au). iLearn is a web-based communication package and can be accessed by most web browsers from inside or outside the University. iLearn and email will be the primary methods of communication in this subject. You are expected to use iLearn for:
How do you log in? The URL for the iLearn log in page is: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au/.
You must log in to iLearn each time you use it. Your user name is your student number, and your password is your myMQ student portal password, provided upon enrolment (unless you've changed it). If you are having trouble accessing your online unit due to a disability or health condition, please go to the Student Services Website at http://sss.mq.edu.au/equity/about for information on how to get assistance.
If you are having problems logging on, that is, if you cannot log in after ensuring you have entered your username and password correctly, you should contact Student IT Help, Phone: (02) 9850 4357 (in Sydney) or 1 800 063 191 (outside Sydney).
Software
Lecture examples, quizzes, and tutorials will be carried out using the computer programs R (http://cran.r-project.org/) and R Studio (https://www.rstudio.com/products/rstudio/download/), both of which are freely available for download.
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
Assessment Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy (in effect until Dec 4th, 2017): http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html
Special Consideration Policy (in effect from Dec 4th, 2017): https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policies/special-consideration
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results shown in iLearn, 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 ask.mq.edu.au.
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
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.
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
This graduate capability is supported by:
We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.
This graduate capability is supported by:
There is now a hurdle exam covering basic statistical knowledge.
Date | Description |
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25/07/2017 | Changed due date for weekly quizzes from Friday to Monday |