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This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.
This unit explores the scientific method within the natural sciences domain. The notion of science will be investigated through case studies, which will provide the framework to introduce the sociology and philosophy of science, necessary for the interpretation of environmental, social and/or technological disputes where different values are represented. The case studies may include societal processes dealing with genetic engineering, land clearing, resource management, chemical use and population growth.
On completion of this unit students should be able to:
Students will attend on campus classes as well as engage in learning activities through ECU's LMS
| City Campus | Joondalup | South West (Bunbury) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 2 | Not Offered | 11 x 2 hour tutorial | 10 x 2 hour tutorial |
For more information see the Semester Timetable
The learning processes will encourage student engagement and motivation. Students will be required to actively participate within seminars or off-campus online discussions. The online Canvas site will provide access to unit information and a medium for student interaction. In on-campus mode, the unit will be offered as pre-recorded lectures and two-hour face-to-face tutorials. The tutorials are student-centred class discussions where students will generate ideas, offering alternative perspectives on historical and theoretical issues relating to the nature of science and their application to contemporary case studies. The lecturer's role in this unit is primarily to guide and facilitate student learning. In off-campus mode, the unit will be offered as pre-recorded lectures and two-hour online tutorials. The tutorials are student-centred class discussions where students will generate ideas, offering alternative perspectives on historical and theoretical issues relating to the nature of science and their application to contemporary case studies. The lecturer's role in this unit is primarily to guide and facilitate student learning.
GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units
| Type | Description | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | Workbook exercises and reflections for weekly tutorials. | 40% |
| Case Study | Scientific Journalism Piece | 60% |
| Type | Description | Value |
|---|---|---|
| Portfolio | Workbook exercises and reflections for weekly tutorials. | 40% |
| Case Study | Scientific Journalism Piece | 60% |
For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.
Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. Informal vivas may be conducted as part of an assessment task, where staff require further information to confirm the learning outcomes have been met. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant School Progression Panel.
Integrity is a core value at Edith Cowan University, and it is expected that ECU students complete their assessment tasks honestly and with acknowledgement of other people's work as well as any generative artificial intelligence tools that may have been used. This means that assessment tasks must be completed individually (unless it is an authorised group assessment task) and any sources used must be referenced.
Breaches of academic integrity can include:
Serious outcomes may be imposed if a student is found to have committed one of these breaches, up to and including expulsion from the University for repeated or serious acts.
ECU's policies and more information about academic integrity can be found on the student academic integrity website.
All commencing ECU students are required to complete the Academic Integrity Module.
In some circumstances, Students may apply to their Unit Coordinator to extend the due date of their Assessment Task(s) in accordance with ECU's Assessment Procedure - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000001386.
Students may apply for Special Consideration in respect of a final unit grade, where their achievement was affected by Exceptional Circumstances as set out in the Assessment Procedure - for more information visit https://askus2.ecu.edu.au/s/article/000003318.
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