Skills for the Scientist will develop a set of fundamental skills that are required to navigate through all stages of the scientific process. The unit will explore the history and philosophy of science, leading to an understanding of the current approach to scientific thinking. Students will become familiar with accessing library resources, including popular science databases, and will learn the accepted referencing practices for the sciences. Methods will be taught for the management and interpretation of data, leading to the development of written and oral communication skills. Safe and ethical work practices in the laboratory and field will be discussed.
Unit details
Location:
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
12
Unit code:
NSC1210
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Learning Outcomes
| 1. | Apply the principles of the scientific method to real world problems; | ||
| 2. | Locate, synthesise and cite/reference scientific literature; | ||
| 3. | Manage scientific data, perform data manipulations and produce scientifically acceptable written and graphic outputs; | ||
| 4. | Create scientific documents and work collaboratively to develop presentations; |
Assessment
| Assessment type | Description | Grade |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise | Analysis of scientific paper | 10% |
| Assignment | Initial data submission | 15% |
| Assignment | Manage and present scientific data | 15% |
| Test | Test | 20% |
| Presentation | Group oral presentation. | 40% |
Required reading
Scientific Writing = Thinking in Words 1st Edition
Lindsay, D.R. (2011)
Collingwood, Victoria, Australia, CSIRO
Scientific Method: A Historical and Philosophical Introduction 1st Edition
Bower, G.S. (2012)
London, Routledge
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