Quantitative biology and bioinformatics demand a combination of technical skills and domain knowledge. In these data-driven sciences, effective communication with experimentalists is a prerequisite to success, as both parties must comprehend both the problem and the solution. In this course, students will gain consulting experience in quantitative biology and bioinformatics. They will learn to communicate effectively with clients, both verbally and in writing, and how to avoid jargon without sacrificing precision. Students will interact with experimentalists and learn to distil biological goals and challenges into quantitative/computational problems to be solved. Students will gain experience collaborating and solving these problems in a mentored professional setting. In doing so, they will learn how to report on their progress to both clients and colleagues.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Communicate effectively and professionally with scientists outside of their discipline
- Translate biological goals and challenges into underpinning quantitative/computational problems
- Engage in an independent investigation and evaluation of quantitative/computational solutions to biological problems
- Describe and defend a chosen methodology in the context of the problem being solved
- Estimate the difficulty of a project and the time commitment that will be required
- Identify when additional skills and/or expertise will be required to solve a problem
Indicative Assessment
- Evidence of professional communication (peer evaluation, client feedback, preceptor reports, notebook) (25) [LO 1,2,3,4,5,6]
- Initial consulting plan (25) [LO 2,4,5,6]
- Final presentation to client (25) [LO 1,2,3,4]
- Final presentation to class (25) [LO 2,3,4]
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
1 lecture + 1 practicum per week, 1 written proposal (consulting plan), 2 group presentations (final report to client, final report to class)Inherent Requirements
Not yet 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
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you 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). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found 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 |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $4320 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2023 | $6180 |
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.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5844 | 24 Jul 2023 | 31 Jul 2023 | 31 Aug 2023 | 27 Oct 2023 | In Person | N/A |
