Documenti di Didattica
Documenti di Professioni
Documenti di Cultura
12
Bundoora West Campus
60 per semester
60 per semester
Assoc. Prof. Ian Macreadie
9925 6627 (mobile 0402 564 308)
ian.macreadie@rmit.edu.au
223.1.28C
Email for appointment
Ian Macreadie
e-mail ian.macreadie@rmit.edu.au
Course Description
This course is the culmination of the laboratory, studio or field-based work in the relevant
undergraduate discipline, and is normally taken in the final semester of the program. It provides
students with an opportunity to undertake a substantial project and develops in them the skills
necessary to successfully undertake project work.
This subject has a vocational focus. It prepares students for a career in the biological sciences,
biomedical sciences and biotechnology. Its aims are as follows:
1. To develop students understanding of the practical issues in working in biotechnology and
biological sciences,
2. To allow students to develop and demonstrate competence in applying scientific methods,
3. To develop students critical-thinking abilities in designing and conducting a project or in
evaluating and critiquing a workplace,
4. To develop students skills in scientific communication in oral and written presentations,
5. To develop students ability to act independently as graduate scientists.
Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development
Specific objectives include developing in the student the ability to use the relevant techniques in
the workplace or to study and analyse a problem in depth and in the context of the discipline and
the program stream. The project options are likely to involve the design of a process for
investigation of a problem and its possible solution, undertaking the process with proper regard to
all safety, technical and social requirements, and analysing and interpreting results. The ability of
a student to communicate effectively the results, analysis and interpretation to a professional
standard will be expected.
By the end of the subject, students should be able, at a science graduate standard, to:
1. understand and apply the main methods used in a scientific workplace,
2. in professional experience, evaluate the experience and critique the workplace,
3. in projects, analyse a problem and design a process for its investigation, plan and conduct the
investigation and collect and analyse the data safely, thoroughly and competently,
4. write a formal report on the professional experience or project, including selection of material
and its satisfactory presentation in tables and graphs, literature citation and referencing in a
conventional manner.
Capabilities
This course is particularly important in the graduate capabilities of: critical-thinking ability,
employability, self-directed learning skills and good communication skills (written and verbal).
Overview of Learning Activities
The learning activities included in this course are:
completion of laboratory and field projects or professional experience designed to give further
practice in the application of theory and procedures;
private study, working through the course as presented in the laboratory or workplace, and
gaining practice at solving conceptual and numerical problems.
The students will be guided through the subject by structured consultation before and during the
course with the academic staff and supervisors in the workplace.
For professional experience, the mode of teaching will be staff consultation on maximizing
chances of employment after graduation, coupled with a minimum of 140 hours work placement
found by the student at a venue to be decided in consultation with the course coordinator. This
venue must be approved by the course coordinator before the work experience commences.
The expectation of the course team is that students will work diligently and effectively towards
achieving the required standard of knowledge, comprehension, skills and productivity to achieve a
Ian Macreadie
Tel. 03 9925 6627
ian.macreadie@rmit.edu.au
pass in the course. Students must be aware that regular attendance at scheduled sessions in faceto-face mode or scheduled attendance in the workplace in professional experience mode increases
the students chance of timely and successful completion of the course.
Learning Activities
The learning activities included in this course are:
completion of a project conducted on or with a relevant external organisation, or at the
University, or in the field, or as part of a study tour, or completion of work experience within a
relevant external organisation
and
private study, working through the course as presented in the laboratory or workplace, and
gaining practice at solving conceptual, numerical or business problems and tasks, or
deep research of scientific literature to answer a significant question, presenting the outcomes
in an article that meets the requirements of a peer-reviewed scientific journal.
In professional experience, students must seek and obtain a suitable workplace and supervisor and
develop an appropriate work plan that must be submitted for approval by the course coordinator
before starting the professional experience in the workplace. Students will then complete the 140
hours required in the workplace completing the workplan, complete a timesheet recording what
has been done, and submit this and the supervisors evaluation documents to the supervisor on
conclusion of the work plan (see Supervisor documents).
Teaching Schedule
This varies according to the option chosen. In professional experience, students arrange a schedule
of times in the workplace and are instructed there as the need arises. In project mode, students
consult supervisors and respond to their communications as the need arises.
Learning Resources
Students will be directed by their supervisor to relevant texts, library resources (including
appropriate journals) and freely accessible internet sites.
The Blackboard site has copies of the documents to be handed to professional experience
supervisors for their certification and some references and external links for consultation.
For content of report:
References on regulations that govern workplaces and management of workplaces are available
through the library and at the workplaces themselves. References on the scientific literature are
available through the library databases.
Overview of Assessment
Assessment will be made by contract with the student and will depend on the nature of the project
and the program stream. Generally the assessment will comprise some combination of a written
report, oral or poster presentation, and work undertaken in the studio, laboratory, workplace or
field. The format of assessment will be communicated to the student by the course coordinator
and supervisor.
Assessment Tasks
For professional experience, students will be assessed on:
completion of a risk assessment of the project (HURDLE)
3 minute oral presentation in lay language (HURDLE)
Written abstract (HURDLE)
approval of workplace, supervisor and workplan (no mark but hurdle to pass)
supervisor certificate of attendance for 140 h (no mark but hurdle to pass)
Ian Macreadie
Tel. 03 9925 6627
ian.macreadie@rmit.edu.au
5%
10%
5%
5%
10%
5%
80%
100%
A penalty of 10% per day will apply for late items of assessment.
Special requirements
To obtain a pass in this subject, students must:
pass the assessment listed on aggregate
pass each component separately.
Assessment Criteria
What will you be looking for when you assess my work?
Submitted work will be marked according to corresponding professional standards applying in that
discipline as specified in the supervisors report proforma and the specifications for the report in
this course guide. The assessment criteria are that students will achieve at least 50% of the
standard expected by the supervisor and course coordinator respectively. Students may seek
clarification on this by presenting written drafts for comment by the supervisor or course
coordinator before the report is due.
As the objectives include students demonstrating that they can think critically in designing and
conducting a project or in professional experience, be productive and competent, show
independence of thought and action, and present their findings appropriately in scientific format,
these are the criteria that will be weighted heavily in the assessment outlined above.
Ian Macreadie
Tel. 03 9925 6627
ian.macreadie@rmit.edu.au
procedures. Please note when citing and listing references that the standard professional means of
doing so is as follows:
Citations in text
Use the format:
Statement (reference where the information was obtained and can be verified), e.g. cultures of the
fungal genus Rhizoctonia do not normally spore in culture (Anderson, 1990), meiosis halves
chromosome number per cell (Campbell et al., 1994).
If there is one author, cite by authors surname plus year, e.g. Anderson, 1990. If there are two
authors, cite by authors surnames plus year, e.g. Anderson and Stalpers, 1994. If there are three or
more authors, cite by first authors surname followed by et al. (short for et alia Latin for and
others) plus year, e.g. Dijk et al., 1997. Note that et al. is normally italicised because this is
standard practice in English for words in a foreign language. Note also that al. (unlike et) has a
period at the end because the word is abbreviated.
Footnotes are not used for references in professional writing in biological disciplines (and most
science disciplines in general). Instead, details are given in a list of References at the end of the
text. Be professional and do this.
Reference list
Follow the journal format, but in most:
reference list is in alphabetical order
if >one reference by same first author,
o list single-authored references first, in chronological order (oldest first)
o then list multiple-authored references, in alphabetical order of second author
o use a, b, c for same authors, same year, with a-c etc. in alphabetical order of second author
etc., e.g.
1. Anderson, T.F. (1990). A study of hyphal morphology in the form genus Rhizoctonia.
Mycotaxon 37, 25-46.
2. Anderson, T.F. and Stalpers, J.A. (1994). A checklist of Rhizoctonia epithets. Mycotaxon 51,
437-457.
3. Campbell, N.A., Mitchell, L.G. and Reece, J.B. (1994). Biology Concepts and Connections.
Benjamin/Cummings Publishing Co., Redwood City, California.
4. Dijk, E., Willems, J.H. and Ausubel, J.V. (1997). Nutritional responses as a key factor to the
ecology of orchid species. Acta Botanica Neerlandica 46, 339-363.
Ian Macreadie
Tel. 03 9925 6627
ian.macreadie@rmit.edu.au
tasks that you performed, not only describing these mechanically, but also showing an
understanding of the methods used
skills that you achieved
critique of the workplaces performance (strengths and weaknesses) in achieving its aims and
mission.
c. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS
No more than 8 pages comprising a concise outline of the regulatory requirements with which the
workplace has to conform, followed by an audit of how and if they are met within the workplace,
referring to both web-based and documentary material, including local manuals. Use tables and
figures to keep this concise, e.g. regulations can be shown in a table, and different levels of
position responsible for different items shown in a flow chart or table. Ensure that you include the
following in your report:
laws and regulations with which the workplace has to comply, e.g. dangerous goods,
occupational health and safety, NATA registration, AQIS certification?
local procedures implemented to comply with the regulations, e.g. induction procedures, risk
assessments, standard operating procedures, location of materials?
critique of the workplaces performance in complying with the regulations.
d. WORK PRACTICES
No more than 8 pages comprising a concise outline of procedures performed in the workplace,
with particular emphasis on your role and tasks, relative to best practice. Again, this can be kept
concise by using tables and figures. This should critique the workplace practices and suggest
improvements. Ensure that you include the following in your report:
description of the workflow in the workplace or your immediate section
efficiency of the workflow, e.g. buying in ready-made media
cost-benefit analysis of this relative to alternative arrangements, e.g. making own media
effect of the workflow and its distribution on efficiency
professionalism and ease of interpersonal relationships at the workplace
critique of the workplaces performance in organising its workflow and personnel.
e. CONCLUSION
No more than 2 pages summarising your work experience from a quality audit perspective and
suggesting how it could have been improved by and for you and your workplace and colleagues.
Include any exit interview or assessment.
Ian Macreadie
Tel. 03 9925 6627
ian.macreadie@rmit.edu.au
PROJECT OPTIONS
Those based in research workplaces or in group projects in the teaching laboratory should use this
section to describe the project on which they worked, its aims, the methods used, the results
obtained and an evaluation of the contribution made by the student to the larger aims of the
research group. This should include:
Abstract
No more than 200 words to summarise the problem tackled, the aims, the methods used, the results
achieved and the conclusions drawn in relation to the original problem.
Introduction and literature review
About 5000 (10%) words (about 10 pages double-spaced) and explanatory figures or tables to
explain the problem, review the literature, suggest a possible solution to be used and outline the
aim of your research project (not the whole laboratorys or institutes work).
Materials and Methods
No more than 3 pages comprising a concise outline of the materials and methods you used,
referring to papers where methods have been published previously as far as possible. Use tables
and figures to make the methods used clear and concise, e.g. DNA extraction method can be
shown in a flow chart, and different conditions at which PCR reactions were tested can be shown
in a table.
Results
No more than 2 pages stating trends and important findings (facts only), with reference to details
displayed in figures and tables. This section must not go beyond reporting the facts. It must not
suggest what they mean, or compare the results with those of others.
Discussion
No more than 2 pages making the points you want about the significance of your results. You do
this by stating firstly if you achieved the aims, then by stating what your results suggest, and then
comparing and contrasting your results with those of others in the literature (which you should
have mentioned in your Introduction). This section must not repeat the results. A good way of
avoiding this is to use sentences of the format: The (result) suggests that ., thus leading on to
the points you want to make (most important first).
Ian Macreadie
Tel. 03 9925 6627
ian.macreadie@rmit.edu.au
Student
Marker ...
SECTION
(N.B. Page limits do not include pages with only figures or tables)
a. ABSTRACT ( 200 words)
where you were placed
supervisors name and position
your role
tasks performed and skills achieved
critique of the workplace and its practices
b. INTRODUCTION ( 3 pages)
names of the workplace and your supervisor
mission statement of the workplace
aims of your immediate section in the workplace
highest priorities of your immediate section
analysis of tasks required to meet these priorities
tasks that you performed, not only describing these mechanically, but also
showing an understanding of the methods used
skills that you achieved
critique of the workplaces performance (strengths and weaknesses) in
achieving its aims and mission.
c. REGULATORY REQUIREMENTS ( 8 pages)
laws and regulations with which the workplace has to comply
local procedures implemented to comply with the regulations
critique of the workplaces performance in complying with the regulations.
d. WORK PRACTICES (<8 pages)
description of the workflow in the workplace or your immediate section
efficiency of the workflow, e.g. buying in ready-made media
cost-benefit analysis of this relative to alternatives, e.g. making own media
effect of the workflow and its distribution on efficiency
professionalism and ease of interpersonal relationships at the workplace
critique the workplaces organisation of its workflow and personnel
e. CONCLUSION ( 2 pages)
summarise your work experience from a quality audit perspective
suggest how it could have been improved
Ian Macreadie
Tel. 03 9925 6627
ian.macreadie@rmit.edu.au
10
GRADE/
MARK
Student
Marker ...
SECTION
(N.B. Page limits do not include pages with only figures or tables)
Abstract ( 200 words)
problem tackled
the aims
methods used
results achieved
conclusions relative to the original problem
Introduction and literature review (5000 words)
explain the problem
review the literature
suggest a possible solution to be used
outline the aim of your research project
Materials and Methods (<3 pages)
concise outline of the materials and methods you used
references to papers where methods have been published previously
use of tables and figures as appropriate
Results ( 2 pages)
trends and important findings (facts only)
display of data in figures and tables
factual reporting
Discussion ( 2 pages)
making of points you want about the significance of your results
statement if you achieved the aims
what your results suggest
comparison and contrast of your results with those of others in the literature
linkage to literature in Introduction
avoidance of repetition of Results
how your project contributed to the research of the laboratory (individual
projects only)
Ian Macreadie
Tel. 03 9925 6627
ian.macreadie@rmit.edu.au
11
GRADE/
MARK/7
RMIT University
Building 223, Level 1
Bundoora West Campus
Bundoora
Vic 3083
Australia
http://www.life.rmit.edu.au/
bteb
Date:
TO POSSIBLE SUPERVISORS
INTRODUCTION OF STUDENT
This is to introduce , Student No.
who has enrolled in the course ONPS2186 Science Project. One option for this course is that the
student completes 140 hours of professional experience in a workplace relevant to his/her degree
program.
He/she will supply you with copies of the following for your consideration:
1. RMIT Certificate of Currency for insurance, which applies to any enrolled student
anywhere, anytime, so long as the external placement forms part of the program (which it
does so long as the student is enrolled in the course see academic transcript)
2. Course Guide, showing the requirements of the course
3. his/her academic transcript, showing what he/she has completed so far, and at what
standard
4. Supervisor documents that are all the paperwork that you need to complete.
Please contact me directly if you have any query about this: Tel. 9925 6627 (mobile 0402 564
308), Fax 9925 7110, Email ian.macreadie@rmit.edu.au.
Yours sincerely,
Ian Macreadie
Tel. 03 9925 6627
ian.macreadie@rmit.edu.au
12
RMIT UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF APPLIED SCIENCES
ONPS2186 SCIENCE PROJECT
WORKPLACE AND WORKPLAN AGREEMENT
Student Name:
Student No.: .
Supervisor:
Organisation:..
Address: ..
..
Tel.:
The student named above has agreed to the times below for this course. Any differences from
these times must be negotiated with the supervisor. Approval for changes is at the discretion of the
supervisor. Planned times must total at least 140 hours.
Day
Date
Times
Activities to be undertaken
Signed (Student) ..
Date .
Date ..
Please return to: Assoc. Prof. I.G. Macreadie, School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University,
Bundoora West Campus, PO Box 71, Bundoora, Vic 3083 (Fax (03) 9925 7110) before the start
of the work/research experience. Please note that the experience proposed must be approved by
the Course Coordinator before the student commences, as it may not be approved or credited in
retrospect.
Ian Macreadie
Tel. 03 9925 6627
ian.macreadie@rmit.edu.au
13
RMIT UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF APPLIED SCIENCES
ONPS2186 SCIENCE PROJECT
WORKPLACE TIMESHEET
Student Name: .
Student No.:
Supervisor .
Organisation:.
The student named above is certified as having worked the times below on the activities
stated.
Day
Date
Times
Activities undertaken
Signed (supervisor)
Signed (supervisor) .
Date .
Please return to: Assoc. Prof. I.G. Macreadie, School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University,
Bundoora West Campus, PO Box 71, Bundoora, Vic 3083 (Fax (03) 9925 7110) at the
completion of the work experience.
Ian Macreadie
Tel. 03 9925 6627
ian.macreadie@rmit.edu.au
14
RMIT UNIVERSITY
SCHOOL OF APPLIED SCIENCES
ONPS2186 SCIENCE PROJECT
SUPERVISOR ASSESSMENT
Student Name: .
Student No.: ..
Supervisor .
Organisation:.
Quality
Very low
Low
Medium
High
Organisation
Planning
Use of information
Use of technology
Manual dexterity
Problem solving
Numerical skills
Productivity
Oral communication (listening)
Oral communication (speaking)
Written communication (reading)
Written communication (writing)
Scientific reports
Teamwork (responsiveness)
Teamwork (contribution)
Teamwork (effectiveness)
Punctuality
Appropriate courtesy
Other qualities
Signed (supervisor) .
Date .
Please return to: Assoc. Prof. I.G. Macreadie, School of Applied Sciences, RMIT University,
Bundoora West Campus, PO Box 71, Bundoora, Vic 3083; (Fax (03) 9925 7110) at the
completion of the work experience.
Ian Macreadie
Tel. 03 9925 6627
ian.macreadie@rmit.edu.au
15
Very
high