Studying online
There are now 2 possible online modes for units:
Units with modes Online timetabled and Online flexible are available for any student to self-enrol and study online.
Click on an offering mode for more details.
Unit Overview
- Description
Students are informed of, and practise, laboratory safety and risk assessment, library and database searching, the use of EndNote, professional scientific writing skills, and the ethics of science. This knowledge equips them with the tools to undertake experimental research, and prepare a literature review and project proposal of their research topic. Students are exposed to the practical tools and professional standards needed to develop a research project. They are trained in proper laboratory practice to ensure a safe workplace, and to recognise risks as insignificant or significant. The importance of control procedures for activities deemed of significant risk are stressed. The handling of hazardous materials, waste disposal, emergency procedures and reporting mechanisms are discussed. Students acquire the ability to search databases of scientific literature to review and synthesise previous work and methodologies in the particular discipline or field of study relevant to their research project, and learn to store and manage this information. They also realise the current state of the art of a field of study by gaining skills in querying public repositories of scientific data that have been experimentally generated, and extracting data relevant to the research project. Students develop professional scientific writing skills, and are made aware of ethical issues in science, including acceptable scientific practice, standards and behaviour.
- Credit
- 6 points
- Offering
(see Timetable) Availability Location Mode Semester 1 UWA (Perth) Face to face - Details for undergraduate courses
- Level 4 elective
- Honours core unit in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology; Chemistry; Genetics [Bachelor of Science (Honours)]
- Outcomes
Students are able to (1) define and recognise proper laboratory practice, including the handling of hazardous materials, emergency procedures, waste disposal and reporting procedures; (2) define and recognise significant and insignificant risks, and controls of the former; (3) search databases of scientific literature to review and synthesise previous work and methodologies in the particular discipline or field of study relevant to the research project; (4) search public repositories and extract data relevant to the research project; (5) store and manage information gained from database searches; (6) write as a professional scientist; and (7) define and carry out acceptable scientific practice, standards and behaviour.
- Assessment
Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) proposal and (2) project literature review. 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 Gavin Flematti
- Unit rules
- Prerequisites
- Successful completion ofMajor(s) chemistry
or Major(s) biochemistry and molecular biology
or Major(s) Genetics or equivalent
- Contact hours
- lectures and tutorials: 12 hours in modular format, beginning in week 1. Students meet with their project supervisors throughout the semester to define the content of the literature review and project proposal.
- The availability of units in Semester 1, 2, etc. was correct at the time of publication but may be subject to change.
- All students are responsible for identifying when they need assistance to improve their academic learning, research, English language and numeracy skills; seeking out the services and resources available to help them; and applying what they learn. Students are encouraged to register for free online support through GETSmart; to help themselves to the extensive range of resources on UWA's STUDYSmarter website; and to participate in WRITESmart and (ma+hs)Smart drop-ins and workshops.
- Visit the Essential Textbooks website to see if any textbooks are required for this Unit. The website is updated regularly so content may change. Students are recommended to purchase Essential Textbooks, but a limited number of copies of all Essential Textbooks are held in the Library in print, and as an ebook where possible. Recommended readings for the unit can be accessed in Unit Readings directly through the Learning Management System (LMS).
- Contact hours provide an indication of the type and extent of in-class activities this unit may contain. The total amount of student work (including contact hours, assessment time, and self-study) will approximate 150 hours per 6 credit points.
Face to face
Predominantly face-to-face. On campus attendance required to complete this unit. May have accompanying resources online.
Online flexible
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit is asynchronous delivery, with NO requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online timetabled
100% Online Unit. NO campus face-to-face attendance is required to complete this unit. All study requirements are online only. Unit includes some synchronous components, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times.
Online Restricted
Not available for self-enrolment. Students access this mode by contacting their student office through AskUWA. 100% Online Unit.
NO campus face-to-face attendance. All study and assessment requirements are online only. Unit includes some timetabled activities, with a requirement for students to participate online at specific times. In exceptional cases (noted in the Handbook) students may be required to participate in face-to-face laboratory classes when a return to UWA’s Crawley campus becomes possible in order to be awarded a final grade.
External
No attendance or regular contact is required, and all study requirements are completed either via correspondence and/or online submission.
Off-campus
Regular attendance is not required, but student attends the institution face to face on an agreed schedule for purposes of supervision and/or instruction.
Multi-mode
Multiple modes of delivery. Unit includes a mix of online and on-campus study requirements. On campus attendance for some activities is required to complete this unit.