This course allows students to pursue a special topic of individual or small-group study in order to gain particular or additional knowledge in a science topic, usually not covered in courses taught elsewhere in the University. Depending on the topic, students may be required to develop and implement a research plan under the supervision of an academic member of staff; to pursue a guided reading program; to develop and implement a project with external stakeholders and/or practitioners under the supervision of an academic member of staff; and/or to take part in selected lectures, workshops, tutorials, seminars, discussion groups, field trips and other activities.

The details of the topic will be negotiated between the student and the supervisor/s and be approved by the relevant Associate Director (Education). 

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Under supervision, pursue a sustained, guided critical investigation and evaluation of the agreed topic/s.
2. Systematically identify relevant theory and concepts and draw evidence-based conclusions using appropriate methodology, tools and/or analysis of data.
3. Explain the fundamental concepts of the special topic in the relevant scientific discipline/s.
4. Demonstrate use of specific techniques relevant to the scientific discipline/s.
5. Demonstrate capacity for scientific reasoning through analysing and explaining concepts from the scientific discpline/s.

Research-Led Teaching

Students will undertake laboratory experiments that cover many basic techniques of experimental biology. They will experience experimental design and troubleshooting with several experiments being developed by students during the course. There will also be a focus on data presentation and analysis so that students learn about drawing conclusions and limitations of different techniques. Students will keep an electronic lab notebook in LabArchives which will include all experimental design, data and peer review activities, similar to lab notebook use in a research laboratory. The course will provide preparation for further research experiences.

Additional Course Costs

Students will be required to purchase access to LabArchives (US$20) prior to starting the course.

Required Resources

All resources will be provided.

Recommended Resources

Whether you are on campus or studying remotely, there are a variety of online platforms you will use to participate in your study program. These could include videos for lectures and other instruction, two-way video conferencing for interactive learning, email and other messaging tools for communication, interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities, print and/or photo/scan for handwritten work and drawings, and home-based assessment.

ANU outlines recommended student system requirements to ensure you are able to participate fully in your learning. Other information is also available about the various Learning Platforms you may use.

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• written comments
• verbal comments
• feedback to whole class, groups, individuals, focus group etc

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Other Information

Overview:

This course introduces students to a variety of practical skills that are normally covered in first and second year courses. The aim is to allow students who have missed practical classes due to COVID to gain extra lab experience. It will include a mix of existing practicals from different courses with some that are new for this course. Students will also experience some aspects of experimental design, with some inquiry-based activities where students first become familiar with an experimental system and then develop and test a hypothesis using the system. The focus will be on experimental techniques, experimental design and presentation of data rather than the underlying theory, which will largely be based on content from BIOL1003 and BIOL1004.

The intensive on-campus component of this course course will run for two weeks, from 9am to 5pm, Monday-Friday from Monday 31st January to Friday the 11th February

Learning Outcomes:

1. Perform a variety of biological experimental techniques and apply them to experimental questions.
2. Develop hypotheses and strategies to test a hypothesis experimentally.
3. Work to a professional level of skills in a biology laboratory, demonstrating effective laboratory safety and competent use of equipment.
4. Interpret and present data in appropriate formats.
5. Demonstrate and understand the principles of effective use of laboratory notebooks.

Enrolment information:

• This special topic is delivered on-campus only and is not available to remote participants.
• Prerequisites: In order to be considered for enrolment in this course, students must have successfully completed 12 units of BIOL courses.
• Enrolments are capped at 70 places.
• Selection is on a "first come, first serve" basis. Interested students must complete and submit an Expression of Interest (open 24-November-13 December) contact school for more details.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Practical experience, 9 am- 5 pm all week	Quizzes and lab assessments
2	Practical experience, 9 am -5 pm all week	Quizzes and lab assessments
3	Final results check and learning portfolio workshop 2 hours, Mon morning	Learning portfolio

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Quizzes x 4	20 %	*	1,2,3,4,5
Lab assessments x 8	40 %	*	1,2,3,4,5
Learning Portfolio	40 %	19/02/2022	1,2,3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines , which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Guideline and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using 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. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Skills website. In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Participation

Students will be required to attend the full two weeks on campus.

Assessment Task 1

Quizzes x 4

Pre-lab quizzes will assess understanding of the methods and experimental design underpinning the practical experience.

There are 4 quizzes due throughout the session, with at least one taking place before the on campus class starts on 31 Jan and based on pre-reading. It is intended that the marked quizzes will be returned within 3 days after submission. Further details can be found on the Course Wattle site.

Assessment Task 2

Lab assessments x 8

Lab assessments will be made throughout the two weeks and will include a mix of accuracy and safety in performing experiments, presentation of data obtained, experimental plans and peer review of some activities. Lab assessments will be incorporated into the electronic notebook in LabArchives.

There are 8 Lab assessments due throughout the session. It is intended that the lab assessments will be returned within 3 days after submission. Further details can be found on the Course Wattle site.

Assessment Task 3

Learning Portfolio

The learning portfolio will be based on the electronic lab book entries. Students will construct a portfolio demonstrating how they have met learning outcomes by using data and experimental design activities in parallel with responses to reflective questions. This will also include a focus on employability skills.

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

You will be required to electronically sign a declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records. Unless an exemption has been approved by the Associate Dean (Education) submission must be through Turnitin.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

Individual assessment tasks may or may not allow for late submission. Policy regarding late submission is detailed below:

• Late submission of quizzes and lab assessments is not permitted. If submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date is not permitted, a mark of 0 will be awarded.
• Late submission permitted. Late submission of the learning portfolio without an extension will be penalised at the rate of 5% of the possible marks available per working day or part thereof. Late submission of assessment tasks is not accepted after 10 working days after the due date, or on or after the date specified in the course outline for the return of the assessment item. Late submission is not accepted for take-home examinations.

Referencing Requirements

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Access and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students