Objective of the unit

This is a core unit for the bachelor of Science- Global Challenges program and is a prerequisite for the FOSC303- Global Challenges Project. This unit is designed to introduce students to the causes and nature of global challenges and how Science can be used to solve them. The unit will develop critical skills in effective leadership, effective and persuasive communication, and teamwork. In addition, students will also learn to develop skills in reflection and entrepreneurial thought to develop resilience in the face of uncertainty. All this will be carried out with the backdrop of sustainability and ethical practice.

This unit requires students to demonstrate a sophisticated understanding of how STEM can address the challenges facing the global community. They need to be able to analyse complex real-world problems and determine the best methods to use to solve them. This builds upon their foundational learning at the 100-level and contributes to the scaffolding required for their extensive 300-level project unit.

Textbook : Readings and reading materials to be provided on iLearn

4 Broad themes with a dedicated focus on STEM will be presented

1. Global challenges and STEM
2. Strategic thinking, leadership and project management
3. Ethics and ethical considerations in addressing global challenges
4. Strategic communication

Classes

Timetable: Lectures for this unit will be on at different times and locations as guest lecturers will be addressing the class. Announcements will be made on Ilearn and by eMail within the first week of semester. The first 4 lectures however will be in 4 Wallys Walk, Room 322 on Tuesdays 9-11am. Tutorials for this unit will be on Thursdays 9am-11am in 4 Wally's Walk Room 322.

Technology Used and Required

You are expected to access the unit iLearn web site on a frequent basis and to download all necessary PDF files. To access the unit web site, if you have off-campus Internet access, simply start your web browser and proceed as above for logging in. On-campus wireless access is also available. If you do not have your own computer you may wish to access the FOSC201 web resources on campus using the computers in the Library.

 To view the lecture notes and other PDF files on the website, you will require Adobe Acrobat Reader Version 9 or later to be installed on your computer. Acrobat Reader can be downloaded from the Adobe website http://get.adobe.com/uk/reader/. If you are using the computers in the library, then Acrobat has already been installed.

We will also be using ECHO Interactive (from iLEARN) and therefore you will be required to bring your laptop,tablet,smartphone to the lectures.

Please note information may also be sent by email to your student email account so please look at your student email account on a frequent basis.

Unit Web Page

The web page for this unit is at Macquarie's new learning management system website: http://ilearn.mq.edu.au

Login and follow prompts to FOSC201.

You are expected to access the unit web site frequently (i.e., almost daily). This site contains important information including lecture notes (that you will be expected to access in class), mid-semester exams and/or assignment. 

Logging In: Type in the URL http://ilearn.mq.edu.au and find FOSC201. Your username is your Macquarie Student ID Number (MQID), which is an 8 digit number found on your student card. The password is your myMQ Student Portal password. This will be the original MQID password (2 random characters followed by your date of birth in ddmmyy format) that was sent to you on enrolment, unless you have already changed your password in the myMQ Student Portal. If you experience difficulties in getting your reprint or your password, please contact the StudentIT Desk (ph: 9850 6500).

Teaching and Learning Strategy

FOSC201 is a 3-credit point half-year unit and will require an average of 9 hours of work per week (contact hours plus self-study time).

FOSC201 consists of:

• 1 hour of lectures and
• a 3 hour tutorial/workshop class every week.

The lecture material and tutorial complement each other and have been developed to increase your understanding of the topics so you can achieve the learning outcomes.

The purpose of tutorials will be to develop higher level critical thinking skills.

The unit coordinator’s expectation is that you will:

·   Attend all interactive lectures. If you cannot attend a lecture, you are expected to listen to the iLecture as soon as possible after it is made available.

·   Attend all interactive tutorials and demonstrate reasonable competence in all exercises and participate in each class/tutorial.

·   Perform satisfactorily in all assessments.

·   Spend an average of no less than 2 hours per week of private study in addition to direct contact.

If you prepare and attend all components of the unit and work consistently/continuously throughout the semester, you should be able to develop a strong understanding of global challenges to help you achieve greater goals post study including creating waves of positive impact.

You are expected to use the lecture materials in the lectures (or bring them) so you can spend most of the time listening rather than transcribing. The lectures are interactive and you will be expected to have input in polls and discussions. Do not assume notes or iLectures are in any way a suitable substitute for attending lectures – lecturers from all departments put an effort into making the lectures up to date and relevant.

Learning is an active process, and as such you must engage with the material. This means downloading and reading lecture notes and case studies completing reflection exercises and participating in poll questions online.

·   The mid-semester exam will be run in a tutorial class.

This is the first offering of this unit.