This course deals with stable isotopes, across different areas, from biology to earth sciences, environmental studies and medicine. In this course, students will be taught the importance of isotopes in a variety of applications and how they can be used for basic science, environmental monitoring, etc. This course involves different universities (from France, Japan, Poland and Australia) in an international teaching initiative. There be will shared lectures and the course is recognized by all partner universities. Students will be prepared in the broad area of of isotopics, which carries many job opportunities in different branches of a modern economy: authentication, detection of doping, food traceability, etc.
Note: Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but are assessed separately.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Describe the importance of stable isotopes in various areas;
- Explain how isotope abundance can be measured and how isotope fractionations work;
- Interpret and explain isotope signatures in a variety of applications;
- Evaluate and apply knowledge of isotopes to solve questions on traceability and fluxes in biological and geological systems.
- Interpret, analyse and present data from isotopic analyses.
Other Information
This course is run intensively during the Autumn session (usually late April to late May).
Indicative Assessment
- Literature review (25) [LO 1,2,3]
- Practical reports (25) [LO 3,4,5]
- Final exam (40) [LO 1,2,3,4,5]
- Workshop presentation and participation (10) [LO 3,4,5]
In response to COVID-19: Please note that Semester 2 Class Summary information (available under the classes tab) is as up to date as possible. Changes to Class Summaries not captured by this publication will be available to enrolled students via Wattle.
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
This course is delivered intensively. The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours throughout the session including:
- Face-to face component which may consist of 26.5 hours of lectures (approx 4 hours per week), 2 x 4 hours of practical, 5 hours of tutorial.
- Approximately 90 hours of self-study which will include preparation for lectures, use of on-line resources (videos and MCQs), and assessment tasks.
Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards practicals and discussions.
Inherent Requirements
To be determined
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the Biology Teaching and Learning Centre to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
Nil
Assumed Knowledge
Basic knowledge in biology, chemistry, math and/or earth sciences that should include quantitative skills.Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
If you are a domestic graduate coursework or international student you will be required to pay tuition fees. Tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are an undergraduate student and have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). You can find your student contribution amount for each course at Fees. Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $4050 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2020 | $5760 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Autumn Session
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5302 | 23 Apr 2020 | 01 May 2020 | 01 May 2020 | 29 May 2020 | In Person | View |
