Thinking Scientifically (SCIE20001)

Undergraduate level 2Points: 12.5Online

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Overview

Availability
Semester 2 - Online
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In this subject students will learn the fundamentals of the methods used in science practice, how to construct and evaluate a scientific argument, and how processes of scientific investigation are applied across the diverse range of scientific disciplines. Contextual examples will be used from current scientific research projects in the Faculty of Science as well as contemporary topical examples that are prominent in the media and public policy arena. The subject will provide an appreciation of the scope of science. It will help develop students’ critical thinking in science both to support and inform choice in their undergraduate program and to appreciate and evaluate science in the wider community context. Students will learn the application of scientific methods and how they are applied across the whole range of scientific disciplines, including the social sciences where appropriate.

Intended learning outcomes


  • Understand scientific methodology
  • Construct a scientific argument
  • Make a scientific observation and interpretation
  • Understand different modes of scientific writing
  • Appreciate the range of sciences practised across different disciplines
  • Analyse current issues from a scientific perspective

Generic skills

  • Critical thinking and scientific inquiry
  • Written communication
  • Independent land self-motivated learning
  • Learning in an online environment

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Eligibility and requirements

Prerequisites

50 points of level-1 subjects

Corequisites

None

Non-allowed subjects

None

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: 9 April 2025

Assessment

Additional details

  • Three online quizzes - spaced at regular intervals across the semester (total of 16.7%)
  • Four module assessment tasks - 1000 words (16.7% each)
  • Exam - delivered and submitted online (16.7%)

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Dates & times

  • Semester 2 - Online
    Principal coordinatorAndrew Drinnan
    Mode of deliveryOnline
    Contact hoursThis subject is taught entirely online
    Total time commitment170 hours
    Teaching period24 July 2017 to 22 October 2017
    Last self-enrol date 4 August 2017
    Census date31 August 2017
    Last date to withdraw without fail22 September 2017
    Assessment period ends17 November 2017

    Semester 2 contact information

    a.drinnan@unimelb.edu.au

Time commitment details

170 hours

Last updated: 9 April 2025

Further information

  • Texts

    Prescribed texts

    There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.

  • Related Handbook entries

    This subject contributes to the following:

    TypeName
    Informal specialisationScience-credited subjects - new generation B-SCI and B-ENG.
  • Breadth options

    This subject is available as breadth in the following courses:

  • Available to Study Abroad and/or Study Exchange Students

    This subject is available to students studying at the University from eligible overseas institutions on exchange and study abroad. Students are required to satisfy any listed requirements, such as pre- and co-requisites, for enrolment in the subject.

Last updated: 9 April 2025