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  2. Current Issues in Natural Sciences [SCI5140]

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Natural Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Current Issues in Natural Sciences

  • Unit Code

    SCI5140

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    1

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    20

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit will examine contemporary developments in natural sciences, with a focus on their philosophical, historical, ethical and sociological underpinnings.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Critically analyse contemporary issues in the discipline of natural sciences.
  2. Critically evaluate contemporary issues in natural sciences at the local, national and international levels.
  3. Explain the different philosophical perspectives on the relationship between nature and society.
  4. Explain the nature of the conflicting social interests represented in the wide range of legal, policy, administrative and community measures that are at the centre of debates about issues in natural sciences.

Unit Content

  1. A critical analysis of mainstream and alternative practices in relevant disciplines of natural science.
  2. Exploration of contemporary issues in the natural sciences, with emphasis given to topics which involve new developments in the field.
  3. Exploration of different philosophical perspectives on the relationship between science and society.
  4. Exploration of the scientific method and nature of science.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials, workshops, student presentations and directed reading.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
ProjectGroup Research Report40%
AssignmentEssay40%
ParticipationGroup work and project facilitation20%

Text References

  • Aldred, J. (2011). The skeptical economist: Revealing the ethics Inside economics. Earthscan, UK.
  • Pretty, J.N., Guijt, I., Thompson, J., & Scoones, I. (1995). Participatory learning and action: A trainer's guide. IIED, London, UK.
  • Newing, H. (2011). Conducting research in conservation: Social sciences methods and practice. Routlegde, Oxon, UK.
  • Brown, V.A., Harris, J., & Russell, J. (2010). Tackling wicked problems: Through the transdisciplinary imagination. Earthscan, UK.

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCI5140|1|1

Faculty of Health, Engineering and Science

School: Natural Sciences

This unit information may be updated and amended immediately prior to semester. To ensure you have the correct outline, please check it again at the beginning of semester.

  • Unit Title

    Current Issues in Natural Sciences

  • Unit Code

    SCI5140

  • Year

    2015

  • Enrolment Period

    2

  • Version

    1

  • Credit Points

    20

  • Full Year Unit

     N

  • Mode of Delivery

    On Campus

Description

This unit will examine contemporary developments in natural sciences, with a focus on their philosophical, historical, ethical and sociological underpinnings.

Learning Outcomes

On completion of this unit students should be able to:

  1. Critically analyse contemporary issues in the discipline of natural sciences.
  2. Critically evaluate contemporary issues in natural sciences at the local, national and international levels.
  3. Explain the different philosophical perspectives on the relationship between nature and society.
  4. Explain the nature of the conflicting social interests represented in the wide range of legal, policy, administrative and community measures that are at the centre of debates about issues in natural sciences.

Unit Content

  1. A critical analysis of mainstream and alternative practices in relevant disciplines of natural science.
  2. Exploration of contemporary issues in the natural sciences, with emphasis given to topics which involve new developments in the field.
  3. Exploration of different philosophical perspectives on the relationship between science and society.
  4. Exploration of the scientific method and nature of science.

Additional Learning Experience Information

Lectures, tutorials, workshops, student presentations and directed reading.

Assessment

GS1 GRADING SCHEMA 1 Used for standard coursework units

Students please note: The marks and grades received by students on assessments may be subject to further moderation. All marks and grades are to be considered provisional until endorsed by the relevant Board of Examiners.

ON CAMPUS
TypeDescriptionValue
ProjectGroup Research Report40%
AssignmentEssay40%
ParticipationGroup work and project facilitation20%

Text References

  • Aldred, J. (2011). The skeptical economist: Revealing the ethics Inside economics. Earthscan, UK.
  • Pretty, J.N., Guijt, I., Thompson, J., & Scoones, I. (1995). Participatory learning and action: A trainer's guide. IIED, London, UK.
  • Newing, H. (2011). Conducting research in conservation: Social sciences methods and practice. Routlegde, Oxon, UK.
  • Brown, V.A., Harris, J., & Russell, J. (2010). Tackling wicked problems: Through the transdisciplinary imagination. Earthscan, UK.

Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005)

For the purposes of considering a request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Commonwealth 2005), inherent requirements for this subject are articulated in the Unit Description, Learning Outcomes and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the support for students with disabilities or medical conditions can be found at the Access and Inclusion website.

Academic Misconduct

Edith Cowan University has firm rules governing academic misconduct and there are substantial penalties that can be applied to students who are found in breach of these rules. Academic misconduct includes, but is not limited to:

  • plagiarism;
  • unauthorised collaboration;
  • cheating in examinations;
  • theft of other students' work;

Additionally, any material submitted for assessment purposes must be work that has not been submitted previously, by any person, for any other unit at ECU or elsewhere.

The ECU rules and policies governing all academic activities, including misconduct, can be accessed through the ECU website.

SCI5140|1|2