UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

In this unit students establish necessary skills for the investigative process including rigorous definition of problems and questions; careful and appropriate design of experiments and selection of method; creative thinking; careful acquisition of data (from literature, field or laboratory work); rigorous but imaginative validation, manipulation and interpretation of data; and presentation of investigations both as written and verbal reports. Using these techniques, students carry out their own group projects to independently investigate the organisation of a specific issue arising from their studies in other Level 3 units in Anatomy and Human Biology. The flexible structure of the unit allows for reading, tutorials and practical project work in areas of particular interest to individuals or small groups of students. Some flexibility of scheduling is also possible, with the consultation and consent of the unit coordinator.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 1	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Details for undergraduate courses

• Level 3 core unit in the Human Science and Neuroscience major sequence
• Level 3 option in the Anatomy and Human Biology major sequence
• Level 3 elective

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) achieve an understanding of (a) the nature of the scientific method, including history and philosophy of science; (b) the basis for the ethics of experimentation, particularly that involving humans and other animals, and the procedures required for ethics approval at The University of Western Australia; (c) the underpinnings of rigorous definition of problems and questions, the careful and appropriate design of experiments, the critical importance of good controls, the selection of methods, and the power and limits of interpretation of results; (d) methods for careful acquisition of data from literature, survey, field or laboratory work; (e) methods for rigorous but imaginative validation, manipulation and interpretation of data; (f) methods for rigorous and critical approaches to experimental design and interpretation including techniques for establishing controls for extraneous variables in different forms of research; (g) methods for presenting data orally and report writing; and (h) methods of sourcing career opportunities; (2) perform the necessary skills for the investigative process including (a) effective teamwork; (b) specific investigative techniques including use of the library and databases, statistics, computers, image capture and analysis, data collection and organisation; (c) generic skills including scientific writing, compilation of ethics and grant applications; and (d) presentation of investigations both as written and verbal reports; and (3) apply (a) a creative and open approach to scientific knowledge and problems; (b) understanding of the need to communicate openly and share skills and knowledge; (c) an appreciation of the value of constructive criticism of one's own and others' work; (d) faith in the experimental approach to furthering knowledge; and (e) a desire to pursue further studies.

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) group project work; (2) statistics assessment; and (3) manuscript writing. Further information is available in the unit outline.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Dr Peter Mark and Dr Christina Bojarski

Unit rules

Prerequisites

MJD-ANHBY Anatomy and Human Biology
or MJD-HSNEM Human Science and Neuroscience

Co-requisites

ANHB3321 Biological Anthropology: Genes and Society
or ANHB3323 Cells, Tissues and Development

Incompatibility

ANHB3320 Human Biology: Applications and Investigations II

Advisable prior study

some Level 2 Biological Science is assumed

Contact hours

lectures: 1 x 1 hour per week
tutorials: 1 x 2 hours per week
labs: 1 x 2 hours per week or equivalent spent on project work