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Today's Science, Tomorrow's World (SCIE10005)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5Dual-Delivery (Parkville)
From 2023 most subjects will be taught on campus only with flexible options limited to a select number of postgraduate programs and individual subjects.
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About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Currently enrolled students:
Semester 2
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 - Dual-Delivery Semester 2 - Dual-Delivery |
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Fees | Look up fees |
THIS SUBJECT IS DESIGNED TO BE TAKEN IN THE FIRST SEMESTER OF ENROLMENT IN THE BACHELOR OF SCIENCE FOR STUDENTS COMMENCING FROM 2022.
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE STUDENTS COMMENCING FROM 2022 MUST TAKE THIS SUBJECT IN THEIR FIRST SEMESTER.
The ambition to shape our habitat and to understand the universe in which we reside has occurred in all cultures and across all epochs. The human need to know more and to do more has led to the rapid expansion of knowledge and technology that we see around us and is largely driven by advances in science.
In this subject, we adopt an interdisciplinary approach to investigate how today’s science might be harnessed to make tomorrow’s world a better place, by addressing the most significant challenges that seem likely to emerge in our future: climate change and environmental sustainability.
The natural sciences (Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Geology) inform our decisions about energy, materials, living systems, the earth and the universe. The formal sciences (Mathematics and Information Technologies) enable us to develop quantitative models of our environment. The applied sciences (Engineering, Agriculture) develop more efficient uses of energy and new ways to accommodate a growing population. The social sciences (psychology, sociology) provide tools to understand how people interact with one another and their environment.
Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Science (Extended) students will acquire an understanding of the scope of the current scientific research at the University of Melbourne and discover the power and potential of science to make a positive impact on the future of the planet.
Pass/Fail Grade
This subject is marked on a pass/fail basis and is not included in the weighted average mark (WAM) calculation.
Intended learning outcomes
On completion of this subject, students should be able to:
- Demonstrate an understanding of the breadth of science and the local and global contexts in which science is practised;
- Articulate the methods of science and explain why current scientific knowledge is both contestable and testable by further inquiry;
- Explain the principles and practices underpinning modern scientific research;
- Critically evaluate the role of science in addressing social and environmental issues;
- Assess scientific research with reference to ethical and cultural considerations;
- Engage in technical discussions concerning climate change and sustainability;
- Demonstrate scientific thinking and scientific literacy;
- Collaborate in small groups to achieve a common goal;
- Effectively communicate the scientific issues pertinent to climate change and sustainability to a variety of audiences.
Generic skills
- Ability to work effectively in a team
- Ability to comprehend and respectfully communicate current debates in science
- Ability to present scientific information to a range of audiences
- Understanding of ethical considerations in scientific research
- Comprehend the important role that scientific research occupies in the world
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Admission in the Bachelor of Science (B-SCI) or the Bachelor of Science (Extended) (B-SCIEXT)
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Assessment
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
6 quizzes addressing Discovery modules
| From Week 1 to Week 5 | 20% |
Report 1 - Comparative evaluation of expert-talks
| Week 8 | 20% |
Group project - students present project based on chosen modules (project presentation may be in variety of forms, poster video, performance etc.)
| Week 12 | 40% |
Report 2 - Evaluation of scientific paper
| During the examination period | 20% |
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Deborah King Coordinator Andrew King Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours Weeks 1-5 (Core): 5 x 2-hour weekly workshops, 10 x 1-hour online lectures (2 per week). Weeks 6-11 (2 x Modules):12 x 1-hour online lectures (2 per week, 6 per module), 6 x 2-hour weekly workshops (3 per module). Week 12: Festival of ideas - Performances, presentations and posters. Throughout semester: Ted-talks and Panel discussions. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 28 February 2022 to 29 May 2022 Last self-enrol date 11 March 2022 Census date 31 March 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 6 May 2022 Assessment period ends 24 June 2022 Semester 1 contact information
Currently enrolled students:
- Semester 2
Principal coordinator Deborah King Coordinator Andrew King Mode of delivery Dual-Delivery (Parkville) Contact hours Weeks 1-5 (Core): 5 x 2-hour weekly workshops, 10 x 1-hour online lectures (2 per week). Weeks 6-11 (2 x Modules):12 x 1-hour online lectures (2 per week, 6 per module), 6 x 2-hour weekly workshops (3 per module). Week 12: Festival of ideas - Performances, presentations and posters. Throughout semester: Ted-talks and Panel discussions. Total time commitment 170 hours Teaching period 25 July 2022 to 23 October 2022 Last self-enrol date 5 August 2022 Census date 31 August 2022 Last date to withdraw without fail 23 September 2022 Assessment period ends 18 November 2022 Semester 2 contact information
Additional delivery details
Students must enrol in the semester they commence their course at the University – Start Year commencing students must enrol in Semester 1, Mid Year commencing students must enrol in Semester 2.
Last updated: 31 January 2024
Further information
- Texts
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Links to additional information
Last updated: 31 January 2024