Theory & Practice in Science (SCIE1000)

Course overview

This foundation course in science introduces students to the broad range of mathematical, analytical, conceptual and computational tools employed by scientists to develop, analyse and interpret models of scientific processes. To emphasize the importance and generality of these tools, a number of key contemporary topics in science will be studied, including climate change, population dynamics, drugs and pharmacokinetics, and epidemics. The course will demonstrate how and why mathematical models underpin modern science, and students will learn how to develop and analyse such models. The course also introduces computer programming (using the language Python) as a vital tool in modern scientific modelling. Students will be introduced to some fundamental philosophical issues in science, gaining an appreciation of some of the assumptions that underlie science and the supposed scientific method, reinforcing the importance of critical thinking, creativity and quantitative scientific skills.

Science is increasingly interdisciplinary, requiring a breadth of understanding, an appreciation of some of the key challenges in different disciplines, and the ability to apply mathematical, quantitative and computing skills. SCIE1000 will help you to develop these abilities, thus giving you the general skills and knowledge you will need to study and practise science successfully.

All the material covered in SCIE1000 will be in the context of some of the big issues in science today, ranging from climate change and species diversity to epidemics and catastrophes. We will cover areas such as the philosophy of science and what scientific thinking means, how to model complex scientific phenomena, how mathematics is used as a formal language to develop models that describe such phenomena, and how to use computer programming to analyse the models.

SCIE1000 (or the advanced version, SCIE1100) is taken by most science students at UQ. It is one of the few courses (STAT1201 is the other) in which students from all branches of science will come together, letting you see some of the breadth and rich diversity of science. We believe strongly that SCIE1000 will be very useful, interesting, challenging and fun!

In the School of Mathematics and Physics we are committed to creating an inclusive and empowering learning environment for all students. We value and respect the diverse range of experiences our students bring to their education, and we believe that this diversity is essential for fostering a rich culture of knowledge sharing and meaningful exploration. We hold both students and staff accountable for actively contributing to the establishment of a respectful and supportive learning environment.

Bullying, harassment, and discrimination in any form are strictly against our principles and against UQ Policy, and will not be tolerated. We have developed a suite of resources to assist you in recognising, reporting, and addressing such behaviour. If you have any concerns about your experience in this course, we encourage you to tell a member of the course teaching team, or alternatively contact an SMP Classroom Inclusivity Champion (see Blackboard for contact details). Our Inclusivity Champions are here to listen, to understand your concerns, and to explore potential actions that can be taken to resolve them. Your well-being and a positive learning atmosphere are of utmost importance to us.

Course requirements

Assumed background

Any student accepted into any science-based course at UQ will have the necessary background to take SCIE1000. Specifically, the assumed background is:

• Years 11 and 12 English from the Queensland Secondary Education system (or equivalent).
• Years 11 and 12 Mathematical Methods (previously called Maths B) from the Queensland Secondary Education system (or equivalent, such as the UQ course MATH1040).
• General science sophistication, equivalent to having studied a branch of science in Years 11 and 12.

Note that we do not assume you have completed Specialist Mathematics (previously called Maths C), Physics, Chemistry or Biology: all you need is English, Mathematical Methods (previously calledﾠMaths B), and any one science.

Incompatible

You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:

SCIE1100

Jointly taught details

This course is jointly-taught with:

• Another instance of the same course

SCIE1000 Internal mode

Course contact

Course staff

Timetable

The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.

Additional timetable information

In summer semester, workshops and contacts will be run on Zoom for all students. If you are enrolled in the in-person delivery mode, then practicals will be on campus (see your timetable for the specific room). Practicals will be on Zoom for students enrolled in external mode. Relevant Zoom links will be posted on Blackboard.

There will be two 2-hour interactive workshops in most weeks where we will work through the modelling, communication and philosophy components of the course.

There will be one 2-hour contact each week for the first four weeks of semester where we will cover the Python programming components of the course.

There will be two 2-hour practicals in most weeks where you will collaborate with your peers and your tutors to put into practice the concepts introduced in the workshops and contacts.

Recordings of workshops and contacts will be made available on Blackboard shortly after each class. Practicals are not recorded.

Please consult Blackboard for the scheduling of all learning activities. All activities start in Week 1 but note that there are no classes held on public holidays.

Important: if you are ill, then do not attend any classes in person. Alternative arrangements can be organised – consult Blackboard for details.

Aims and outcomes

SCIE1000 aims to:

• introduce students to the interdisciplinary nature of modern science;
• instil an appreciation of the quantitative skills required for the practice of modern science, regardless of discipline; 
• improve students’ mathematical and computer programming skills in the context of scientific problems and issues;
• demonstrate the importance of formulating and applying quantitative models of various phenomena in science; 
• introduce students to philosophical issues in science, including core activities which comprise science and some fundamental aspects of scientific reasoning;
• improve students’ skills in scientific communication and quantitative reasoning;
• involve students in analysis of some “big picture” issues in science; and
• engage students in the UQ “science community”.

Learning outcomes

After successfully completing this course you should be able to:

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment details

Practical Exercises

Mode

Activity/ Performance

Category

Participation/ Student contribution

Weight

10%

Due date

Each week at the time of your practical.

For those students with special permission to complete practicals independently, submissions are due at 1pm on the following Monday (at which time solutions will be released).

Task description

Submission guidelines

Solutions are graded by tutors during the practical session.

For those students with special permission to complete practicals independently, solutions are submitted through Blackboard.

Deferral or extension

You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.

Practical activities are conducted in class and hence extensions are not possible.

If you are too unwell to attend a practical, then note that you can miss up to two assessed practicals without penalty. If you are unable to attend more than two assessed practicals please email the course coordinator on scie1000staff@uq.edu.au to explain your circumstances and request a re-weighting of your remaining practicals. Students unable to complete sufficient practicals during the semester should consider withdrawing and re-enrolling in a forthcoming semester.

If you have an unavoidable special circumstance that prevents you from attending the scheduled practicals throughout the semester, then please email the course coordinator on scie1000staff@uq.edu.au to request permission to submit your practicals independently. Include relevant documentation to justify your absence. Note that many students find that working through the practical material alone can take significantly longer than attending a scheduled class. Feedback on your work will also be limited and extensions beyond the agreed submission time will not be possible as solutions are released shortly after all students complete these learning activities.

Late submission

Late submission is not possible as practicals are completed in class (and solutions are released at the due time for those with special permission to complete practicals independently).

Philosophy Assignment

Mode

Written

Category

Essay/ Critique

Weight

15%

Due date

3/01/2025 1:00 pm

Task description

Submission guidelines

The essay must be submitted electronically through Blackboard by the due date and time. The plagiarism detection software TurnItIn will be used to check submissions.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

See ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT INFORMATION for the extension and deferred examination information relating to this assessment item.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

Python and Communication Assignment (PCA)

Mode

Oral, Written

Category

Computer Code, Presentation

Weight

15%

Due date

24/01/2025 1:00 pm

Task description

Submission guidelines

Your computer program must be submitted electronically in .py format along with your screen capture video through Blackboard by the due date and time (please check the task sheet for guidance in preparing your submission). Plagiarism detection software will be used to check the originality of your code.

Deferral or extension

You may be able to apply for an extension.

The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.

See ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT INFORMATION for the extension and deferred examination information relating to this assessment item.

Late submission

A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.

End-of-semester Exam

Mode

Written

Category

Examination

Weight

60%

Due date

End of Semester Exam Period

1/02/2025 - 8/02/2025

Task description

Exam details

Submission guidelines

Deferral or extension

You may be able to defer this exam.

See ADDITIONAL ASSESSMENT INFORMATION for the extension and deferred examination information relating to this assessment item.

Course grading

Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.

Additional course grading information

Hurdle:

Note the hurdle requirement listed in the course grade descriptions above.

Supplementary assessment

Supplementary assessment is available for this course.

Should you fail a course with a grade of 3, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment. Refer to my.UQ for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply. 

Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.  

If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met.  

Supplementary assessment in this course will be a 2-hour examination similar in style to the end-of-semester examination. To receive a passing grade of 3S4, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment. 

Additional assessment information

Pay careful attention to the general university guidelines on plagiarism in Section 6. You are encouraged to work in small groups while studying and in practicals. However, unless otherwise indicated, assessments must be completed individually, so everything you submit must be your own work. We take copying, collaboration or any other form of academic misconduct very seriously; all cases will be actioned.

Requesting re-grading:ﾠ

If you have a query about a practical grade, please speak to your tutor in the first instance.

If you have a query about a grade you received on any other assessment item, you must first seek further feedback from the lecturing staff, and then you may complete an online request:ﾠ (https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/academic-progress-and-final-results/querying-result).ﾠ Instructions for how to seek further feedback on the assessment items will be provided on Blackboard at the time of grade release for that item.ﾠ Note that a re-grade involves the entire assessment item being re-marked by an independent grader, and the new overall score overrides the old score.

Artificial Intelligence

Assessment tasks evaluate students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.

Applications for Extensions to Assessment Due Dates

Extension requests are submitted online via my.UQ – applying for an extension. Extension requests received in any other way will not be approved. Additional details associated with extension requests, including acceptable and unacceptable reasons, may be found at my.UQ.

Please note:

• Requests for an extension to an assessment due date must be submitted through your my.UQ portal and you must provide documentation of your circumstances, as soon as it becomes evident that an extension is needed. Your application must be submitted on or before the assessment item's due date and time.
• Applications for extension can take time to be processed so you should continue to work on your assessment item while awaiting a decision. We recommend that you submit any completed work by the due date, and this will be marked if your application is not approved. Should your application be approved, then you will be able to resubmit by the agreed revised due date.
• If an extension is approved, you will be notified via your my.UQ portal and the new date and time for submission provided. It is important that you check the revised date as it may differ from the date that you requested.
• If the basis of the application is a medical condition, applications should be accompanied by a medical certificate dated prior to the assignment due date. If you are unable to provide documentation to support your application by the due date and time you must still submit your application on time and attach a written statement (Word document) outlining why you cannot provide the documentation. You must then upload the documentation to the portal within 24 hours.
• If an extension is being sought on the basis of exceptional circumstances, it must be accompanied by supporting documentation (eg. Statutory declaration).
• For extensions based on a SAP you may be granted a maximum of 7 days (if no earlier maximum date applies). See the Extension or Deferral availability section of each assessment for details. Your SAP is all that is required as documentation to support your application. However, additional extension requests for the assessment item will require the submission of additional supporting documentation e.g., a medical certificate. All extension requests must be received by the assessment due date and time.
• Students may be asked to submit evidence of work completed to date. Lack of adequate progress on your assessment item may result in an extension being denied.
• If you have been ill or unable to attend class for more than 14 days, you are advised to carefully consider whether you are capable of successfully completing your courses this semester. You might be eligible to withdraw without academic penalty - seek advice from the Faculty that administers your program.
• There are no provisions for exemption from an assessment item within UQ rules. If you are unable to submit an assessment piece then, under special circumstances, you may be granted an exemption, but may be required to submit alternative assessment to ensure all learning outcomes are met.

Applications to defer an exam

In certain circumstances you can apply to take a deferred examination for in-semester and end-of-semester exams. You'll need to demonstrate through supporting documentation how unavoidable circumstances prevented you from sitting your exam. If you can’t, you can apply for a one-off discretionary deferred exam.

Deferred Exam requests are submitted online via mySi-net. Requests received in any other way will not be approved. Additional details associated with deferred examinations, including acceptable and unacceptable reasons may be found at my.UQ.

Please note:

• Applications can be submitted no later than 5 calendar days after the date of the original exam.
• There are no provisions to defer a deferred exam. You need to be available to sit your deferred examination.
• Your deferred examination request(s) must have a status of "submitted" in mySI-net to be assessed.
• All applications for deferred in-semester examinations are assessed by the relevant school. Applications for deferred end-of-semester examinations are assessed by the Academic Services Division.
• You’ll receive an email to your student email account when the status of your application is updated.
• If you have a medical condition, mental health condition or disability and require alternative arrangements for your deferred exam you’ll need to complete the online alternative exam arrangements through my.UQ. This is in addition to your deferred examinations request. You need to submit this request on the same day as your request for a deferred exam or supplementary assessment. Contact Student Services if you need assistance completing your alternative exam arrangements request.

Learning resources

You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.

Library resources

Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.

Additional learning resources information

The key learning resource is the SCIE1000 Course Workbook, which covers the course material (there is no textbook for the course). Each workshop, we will work through the notes in the workbook, discussing questions and issues raised and then writing down solutions and comments. There are two ways to obtain a copy of the notes. A bound black-and-white version is on sale at the POD centre (Print On Demand). Alternatively, a full set of notes is available in electronic form on the course website.

There are a variety of additional resources to assist learning in this course:

• The SCIE1000 Blackboard page is the primary portal for communication of announcements and documents. You should form the habit of checking Blackboard, especially the announcements, regularly.ﾠ
• Practical tasks and their solutions are a great resource for you to practice and gain confidence on assessment-style questions. Make a regular habit of checking practical solutions!
• SOMSE (SCIE1000/1100 Online Modules for Support and Enrichment) isﾠavailable for you here. These modules include videos, simulations and quiz questions to check your understanding of the main quantitative skills we use in the course.
• We encourage you to use the course online discussion board site (link provided on the course website) for general questions about the course content.
• Extra online practice for Python can be found on ShiFoo (link provided on the course website).
• You may wish to look up the scientific papers referenced in the workbook and you can do so from the UQ library website (https://www.library.uq.edu.au/).ﾠ Click on advanced search for detailed searching options, and make sure you are logged in with your student account.
• You are encouraged to attend lecturer office hours (schedule provided on the course website), to ask questions about anything SCIE1000 related - we are always happy to help with your learning!

At times we will direct you to additional material which will be available in the library or on the internet. If you are interested in finding out extra information about any of the topics we cover, there are plenty of resources available on the internet (but remember that not everything you find there is true).

Learning activities

The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.

Policies and procedures

University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:

• Student Code of Conduct Policy
• Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
• Assessment Procedure
• Examinations Procedure
• Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure

Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.