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Science: A Study of Life and Environment (SCIE10001)
Undergraduate level 1Points: 12.5On Campus (Parkville)
For information about the University’s phased return to campus and in-person activity in Winter and Semester 2, please refer to the on-campus subjects page.
About this subject
- Overview
- Eligibility and requirements
- Assessment
- Dates and times
- Further information
- Timetable(opens in new window)
Contact information
Semester 1
Please refer to the LMS for up-to-date subject information, including assessment and participation requirements, for subjects being offered in 2020.
Overview
Availability | Semester 1 |
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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 is embedded in this subject.
Topics include:
- Matter and interactions: an understanding of the basis of matter (atoms and molecules) and the organisation of matter at an atomic level, within living organisms and their environment;
- Energy transfers and transformations: Types of energy and relevance to the environment; mechanical and thermal energy transfers and transformations, behaviour of light and other electromagnetic radiation;
- The global environment: The global energy system and evolving global climates, atmosphere, ocean and water cycles, global ecology;
- The living world: What is life? Observations of the interactions of living things with their environment, the cycling of energy through living systems and their environment;
- 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 living world and interactions with the physical 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, chemical, physical 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 and 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
Due to the impact of COVID-19, assessment may differ from that published in the Handbook. Students are reminded to check the subject assessment requirements published in the subject outline on the LMS
Description | Timing | Percentage |
---|---|---|
Ongoing assessment of class activities, including practical and laboratory work, assessed regularly.
| During the teaching period | 20% |
Two tests with a total duration of one hour, held in Week 4 and Week 9 or 10
| From Week 4 to Week 10 | 15% |
Two written assignments, each equivalent to 500 words, due in Week 6 or 7 and Week 12
| From Week 6 to Week 12 | 15% |
An examination
| End of semester | 50% |
Last updated: 3 November 2022
Dates & times
- Semester 1
Coordinator Mick Moylan 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 2 March 2020 to 7 June 2020 Last self-enrol date 13 March 2020 Census date 30 April 2020 Last date to withdraw without fail 5 June 2020 Assessment period ends 3 July 2020 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
Prescribed texts
There are no specifically prescribed or recommended texts for this subject.
- Subject notes
Reassessment may be offered to students admitted into the B-SCIEXT who fail this subject with a result of 40-49 and have no other fails in the same semester.
- Related Handbook entries
This subject contributes to the following:
Type Name Course Bachelor of Science (Extended) - 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.
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