Science: A Study of Life and Environment (SCIE10001)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
Overview
| Availability | Semester 1 |
|---|---|
| Fees | Look up fees |
Science provides a view of the living world and its environment that uses observation and measurement to build an understanding of the function of parts of a system and the interactions between them. This subject aims to develop students’ understanding of this evidence-based approach, integrating the contributions of biology, chemistry, earth sciences and physics. Careful development of students’ academic skills will be embedded in this subject.
Topics include:
- The living world: What is life? Evidence based observations of the interactions of living things with their environment, the cycling of energy through living systems, the role of environment in energy transfer;
- The global environment: The composition of Earth and geologic time, the global energy system and evolving global climates, atmosphere, ocean and water cycles, global ecology;
- Matter and interactions: an understanding of the basis of matter (atoms and molecule) and the organisation of matter at an atomic level, within the atmosphere and in water ways.
- The consequences of change in the environment: Living things and selective pressures, speciation and evolution;
Intended learning outcomes
To enable students to apply the methods of science to understanding the interaction between living beings and their environment, and develop their capacity to:
- explain the principles underpinning our understanding of the interaction between the living and non-living environment;
- apply these principles using logical reasoning, together with appropriate mathematical reasoning, to a variety of familiar and novel situations and problems in the biological and environmental sciences; and
- acquire experimental data using a range of measurement instruments and interpret these data.
Generic skills
A student who completes this subject should be able to:
- explain their understanding of science principles and applications clearly, both in writing and orally;
- acquire and interpret experimental data and design experimental investigations;
- participate as an effective member of a group in discussions and practical work;
- think independently and analytically, and direct his or her own learning; and
- manage time effectively in order to be prepared for regular classes and assessment tasks.
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Eligibility and requirements
Prerequisites
Entry into the Bachelor of Science (Extended)
Corequisites
None
Non-allowed subjects
None
Recommended background knowledge
Science study to Year 10 level, together with satisfactory completion of at least one VCE Unit 1/2 in Biology, Chemistry, Physics or Mathematics.
Inherent requirements (core participation requirements)
The University of Melbourne is committed to providing students with reasonable adjustments to assessment and participation under the Disability Standards for Education (2005), and the Assessment and Results Policy (MPF1326). Students are expected to meet the core participation requirements for their course. These can be viewed under Entry and Participation Requirements for the course outlines in the Handbook.
Further details on how to seek academic adjustments can be found on the Student Equity and Disability Support website: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/student-equity/home
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Assessment
Additional details
- Ongoing assessment of class activities, including practical and laboratory work, equivalent to 1500 words. Satisfactory completion of this assessment, including 80% attendance, is required for a pass (20%)
- Two 20-minute tests, due weeks 4 and 8 (15%)
- Two written assignments, each equivalent to 500 words, due weeks 6 and 10 (15%)
- 2-hour examination at the end of semester. Satisfactory completion of this assessment is required for a pass (50%)
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Principal coordinator Michelle Livett Mode of delivery On Campus (Parkville) Contact hours 3 x 2-hour classes per week, including approximately 16 hours of practical and/or laboratory work per semester Total time commitment 160 hours Teaching period 27 February 2017 to 28 May 2017 Last self-enrol date 10 March 2017 Census date 31 March 2017 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 May 2017 Assessment period ends 23 June 2017 Semester 1 contact information
Time commitment details
Estimated Total Time Commitment - 160 hours; which includes the 12-week semester and 4 weeks of non-teaching and assessment time
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Further information
- Texts
- Subject notes
- Related Handbook entries
- Available through the Community Access Program
About the Community Access Program (CAP)
This subject is available through the Community Access Program (also called Single Subject Studies) which allows you to enrol in single subjects offered by the University of Melbourne, without the commitment required to complete a whole degree.
Please note Single Subject Studies via Community Access Program is not available to student visa holders or applicants
Entry requirements including prerequisites may apply. Please refer to the CAP applications page for further information.
Additional information for this subject
Please note that this subject is only available to Indigenous students whose eligibility to undertake the subject has been approved.
Last updated: 3 November 2022