CQUniversity Unit Profile
SCIE11022 Introductory Science
Introductory Science
All details in this unit profile for SCIE11022 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

On successful completion of this unit, you will have a sound understanding of the fundamental principles and concepts of physical and chemical sciences, with particular reference to applied health and safety. You will be able to use appropriate scientific units and notation, and explain the chemical principles relating to atoms, molecules, biomolecules, solutions, pH and chemical reactions. You will apply the physical principles associated with the behaviour of gases, electromagnetic radiation, sound, motion and forces to solve problems relevant to the workplace. You will also study aspects of science relevant to your specific discipline.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 1
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 8
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2019

Online

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Written Assessment
Weighting: 30%
2. Online Test
Weighting: 20%
3. Examination
Weighting: 50%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from Moodle student evaluation

Feedback

Students found the layout of the moodle site very easy to navigate

Recommendation

Maintain the current layout of the moodle site

Feedback from Moodle student evaluation

Feedback

Students would like to see more feedback on their short answer assignment. Even though the correct answers were provided on moodle some students struggled to see where they had lost marks

Recommendation

More feedback will be provided on short answer assessment so students can clearly identify where they have lost marks

Feedback from Moodle student evaluation

Feedback

Students would like to see the topics explained in more detail in the lectures

Recommendation

Analyse results from short answer assessment, quizzes and exam questions to see where more detailed explanations may help students better understand, and be able to apply the content to answer questions correctly

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Explain the basic chemical principles relating to atoms and molecules, solutions, pH, chemical bonding and reactions with particular reference to applied health
  2. Apply the concepts of scientific measurement to the presentation of quantitative data and use appropriate scientific units and scientific and logarithmic notation
  3. Explain the basic physical principles associated with the behaviour of gases, electromagnetic radiation and sound with particular reference to applied health
  4. Apply the principles of motion and forces in the context of applied health and safety
  5. Explain introductory scientific principles pertaining to your area of specialisation with either a physics or environmental focus.
Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Written Assessment - 30%
2 - Online Test - 20%
3 - Examination - 50%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes

Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
1 - Written Assessment - 30%
2 - Online Test - 20%
3 - Examination - 50%
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Judith Wake Unit Coordinator
j.wake@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1 Begin Date: 11 Mar 2019

Module/Topic

Matter: The elements and atomic structure

Chapter

Module 1

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 2 Begin Date: 18 Mar 2019

Module/Topic

Compounds: Molecules and their chemical bonds

Chapter

Module 2

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 3 Begin Date: 25 Mar 2019

Module/Topic

Presenting data: Numbers, units and graphs

Chapter

Module 3

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 4 Begin Date: 01 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Solutions: Composition and concentrations

Chapter

Module 4

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 5 Begin Date: 08 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Electrolytes, acids, bases and buffers

Chapter

Module 5

Events and Submissions/Topic


Vacation Week Begin Date: 15 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6 Begin Date: 22 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

An introduction to organic chemistry and biomolecules

Chapter

Module 6

Events and Submissions/Topic




Short Answer Questions Due: Week 6 Monday (22 Apr 2019) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 7 Begin Date: 29 Apr 2019

Module/Topic

Gases and the respiratory system

Chapter

Module 7

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 8 Begin Date: 06 May 2019

Module/Topic

Waves, sight and sound, and nuclear radiation


Chapter

Module 8

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 9 Begin Date: 13 May 2019

Module/Topic

Motion kinematics 

Chapter

Module 9

Events and Submissions/Topic


Week 10 Begin Date: 20 May 2019

Module/Topic

Forces and motion

Chapter

Module 10 

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 11 Begin Date: 27 May 2019

Module/Topic

Option A:  Work energy and momentum

Option B:  Climate and weather, and the water and carbon cycles

Chapter

Modules 11A & 11B

Events and Submissions/Topic

Multiple Choice Quiz Due: Week 11 Friday (31 May 2019) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 12 Begin Date: 03 Jun 2019

Module/Topic

Option A: Electricity

Option B: Geology and erosion

Chapter

Modules 12 A & 12B

Events and Submissions/Topic

Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 10 Jun 2019

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 17 Jun 2019

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Written Assessment

Assessment Title
Short Answer Questions

Task Description

You are required to provide short answers to a series of questions based on the concepts presented in Modules 1 to 5 of this unit. You must provide explanations and/or calculations for each of your answers which should be uploaded in a single Word document through the assessment link in Moodle. Your answers do not need to be referenced but you must ensure that all of the work is your own, in line with University requirements


Assessment Due Date

Week 6 Monday (22 Apr 2019) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 8 Monday (6 May 2019)


Weighting
30%

Minimum mark or grade
40%

Assessment Criteria

Marks will be awarded for each question as indicated on the assessment item. Explanations for your answers must be provided and/or if questions require calculations, all working must be shown.


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Upload as .doc or .docx file.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Explain the basic chemical principles relating to atoms and molecules, solutions, pH, chemical bonding and reactions with particular reference to applied health
  • Apply the concepts of scientific measurement to the presentation of quantitative data and use appropriate scientific units and scientific and logarithmic notation


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence

2 Online Test

Assessment Title
Multiple Choice Quiz

Task Description

You are required to complete an online quiz comprised of multiple-choice type questions based on the concepts presented in Modules 6 - 10 of this unit. All questions are of equal weighting. Incorrect responses incur no penalty.


Assessment Due Date

Week 11 Friday (31 May 2019) 11:45 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Review/Exam Week Monday (10 June 2019)


Weighting
20%

Minimum mark or grade
40%

Assessment Criteria

Correctness of answers. 


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Explain the basic physical principles associated with the behaviour of gases, electromagnetic radiation and sound with particular reference to applied health
  • Apply the principles of motion and forces in the context of applied health and safety


Graduate Attributes
  • Communication
  • Problem Solving
  • Critical Thinking
  • Information Literacy
  • Information Technology Competence

Examination

Outline
Complete an invigilated examination

Date
During the examination period at a CQUniversity examination centre

Weighting
50%

Length
120 minutes

Minimum mark or grade
40%

Exam Conditions
Closed Book

Materials
Dictionary - non-electronic, concise, direct translation only (dictionary must not contain any notes or comments).
Calculator - all non-communicable calculators, including scientific, programmable and graphics calculators are authorised
Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?