The SCNC courses offered by CoSM serve a number of purposes including Advanced Study Courses for PhB students, Exchange course codes, an honours specialisation, research project and internship courses.

This document addresses the use of the Honours specialisation (SCNC4000), the  research project courses (SCNC2021, 3021, 8021) and the internship courses (SCNC 2000, 3000, 8000). These courses are provided as an option when it is appropriate for a student to undertake an interdisciplinary honours or research project course, or when the discipline involved does not have a more specific course that a student should enroll in (for example with internships).

As with every course available in CoSM these courses have explicit learning outcomes and indicative assessment, however there is no dedicated convener defined for each course.

It is expected that the discipline(s) advising students to enroll in an SCNC course will convene the course for that student or cohort of students in the same way as they would for a discipline coded course, and that all University, College and School policies will be adhered to, this must include:

• For every 6 units of enrolment, the expectation is that the student would work a minimum of 8-10 hours/week over the course of the semester.
• Course structure, assessment and deadlines defined and communicated to students within the first two weeks of enrolment;
• Some of the courses e.g  research project courses can be taken more than once, with different topics annotated on the transcript.
• Enrolment in one of these courses on a single topic over two sequential semesters is also possible with a grade of “KU” awarded at the end of the first semester. However the enrolment pattern, assessment and deadlines must be defined during the first two weeks of the first instance of enrolment.
• Extension and late penalty policies must be applied consistently:
  • Extensions of assessment due dates of <= 2 weeks are permitted at the discretion of the convener, on application by the student before the due date. Any extension beyond this period requires the approval of the Associate Dean (Education).
  • Late penalties are equitably applied (5% per working day late).

Science Research Project: SCNC2021

The course will consist of a research project relevant to the student's coursework. It may be conducted in collaboration with an employer or other business or government body or it may be a project that encompasses many disciplines in science and relate to an issue or interest relevant to many areas.

Learning Outcomes

The nature of this course means that the learning outcomes are very individual and specific. However, in general, on satisfying the requirements of this course students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Under Supervision, plan and engage in an independent science research investigation including analysis and interpretation of results;
2. Systematically review relevant theory and concepts, relate these to appropriate methodologies and evidence, and draw appropriate conclusions;
3. Appropriately apply statistical or other evaluation processes to original data;
4. Understand and apply ethical standards of conduct in the collection and evaluation of data and other resources;
5. Communicate research concepts and contexts clearly and effectively both in writing and orally.

Indicative Assessment

• Project Report (80%)
• Seminar (20%)

Science Research Project: SCNC3021, SCNC8021

The course will consist of a research project relevant to the student's coursework. It may be conducted in collaboration with an employer or other business or government body or it may be a project that encompasses many disciplines in science and relate to an issue or interest relevant to many areas.

Learning Outcomes

The nature of this course means that the learning outcomes are very individual and very specific. However, in general, on satisfying the requirements of this course students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Plan and engage in an independent and sustained critical investigation and evaluation of a chosen science research topic;
2. Systematically identify relevant theory and concepts, relate these to appropriate methodologies and evidence, and draw appropriate conclusions;
3. Engage in systematic discovery and critical review of appropriate and relevant information sources;
4. Appropriately apply statistical or other evaluation processes to original data;
5. Understand and apply ethical standards of conduct in the collection and evaluation of data and other resources;
6. Communicate research concepts and contexts clearly and effectively both in writing and orally.

Indicative Assessment

• Project Report (80%)
• Seminar (20%)

Science Internship: SCNC2000, 3000  (6-12 units)

This course provides an opportunity for high-achieving science students to apply and develop professional skills and attributes in an area of their choice. This course offers opportunities to network with professional organisations such as local and national government and industry, and to acquire skills, knowledge and professional attributes which will facilitate future employment and career outcomes. The internship will be under the direct supervision of a workplace professional, with access to an appropriate academic within the ANU Colleges of Science and Medicine. Students are generally expected to have already completed Science courses relevant to their placement topic. The internship is expected to be on a topic of professional interest to the student and the supervising workplace.  

Learning Outcomes

Students who have successfully completed this course should be able to:

1. Demonstrate the ability to work under professional supervision, and gain useful background of a professional context and how that workplace operates;
2. Communicate clearly and coherently in a professional context;
3. Analyse and consolidate broad theoretical and/or professional knowledge through research to identify and propose solutions to complex problems with intellectual independence;
4. Exercise critical thinking and judgment in the context of developing advanced professional knowledge; and
5. Conduct a project under supervision

Indicative Assessment

Project Proposal of 1000 words to outline the scope of the work to be undertaken

Internship report

The internship involves the completion of a 3-5,000 word project report under the direct supervision of the workplace professional, with access to an appropriate academic within CoS/CHM.

Internship reports are stand-alone documents for assessment by academic standards.  The reports are not documents which have been drafted by interns as part of internship work requirements.  However, such documents may be used by interns to compile the assessable research paper.  The paper is jointly marked by the professional supervisor and the course convener in accordance with an assessment scale which will be circulated to interns at the start of the internship period.

Oral presentation

A 20-30 minute presentation to professionals and/or academics describing the internship project and outcomes.

Course reflection

The reflection will evaluate the learning experience of the course, including consideration of questions such as: Did the course add to interns’ professional knowledge and professional skills as a scientist?  How would interns add value to the course?

The course is ungraded and all four components of the course must be satisfactorily completed to pass the course.

Science Internship: SCNC8000  (6-12 units)

This course provides an opportunity for high-achieving graduate science students to apply and develop professional skills and attributes in an area of their choice. This course offers opportunities to network with professional organisations such as local and national government and industry, and to acquire skills, knowledge and professional attributes which will facilitate future employment and career outcomes. The internship will be under the direct supervision of a workplace professional, with access to an appropriate academic within CoSM. Students are generally expected to have already completed Science courses relevant to their placement topic. The internship is expected to be on a topic of professional interest to the student and the supervising workplace.  

Learning Outcomes

Students who have successfully completed this course should be able to:

1. Demonstrate the ability to work under professional supervision, and gain useful background of a professional context and how that workplace operates;
2. Communicate complex concepts clearly and coherently in a professional context;
3. Analyse, consolidate and synthesise advanced theoretical and professional knowledge through research to identify and propose solutions to complex problems with intellectual independence;
4. Exercise critical thinking and judgment in the context of developing advanced professional knowledge; and
5. Independently conduct a project.

Indicative Assessment

Project Proposal of 1000 words to outline the scope of the work to be undertaken

Internship report

The internship involves the completion of a 5,000 word project report under the direct supervision of the workplace professional, with access to an appropriate academic within CoS/CHM.

Internship reports are stand-alone documents for assessment by academic standards.  The reports are not documents which have been drafted by interns as part of internship work requirements.  However, such documents may be used by interns to compile the assessable research paper.  The report must critically evaluate relevant literature. The paper is jointly marked by the professional supervisor and the course convener in accordance with an assessment scale which will be circulated to interns at the start of the internship period.

Oral presentation

A 30-40 minute presentation to professionals and/or academics describing the internship project and outcomes.

Course reflection

The reflection will evaluate the learning experience of the course, including consideration of questions such as: Did the course add to interns’ professional knowledge and professional skills as a scientist?  How would interns add value to the course?

The course is ungraded and all four components of the course must be satisfactorily completed to pass the course.

Science Honours: SCNC4000  (6-24 units)

(requires enrolment in the Science Honours Specialisation SCNC-HSPC)

The science honours course is intended for students who have a broad and interdisciplinary training in science and are interested in undertaking an independent research project that crosses standard disciplinary boundaries. The science honours course is usually taken full time for two consecutive semesters and includes research training, in-depth analysis of current concepts in the fields as well as a substantial research project culminating in the production of a thesis. Honours is a solid foundation in the basics of research and can be an entry into many careers both within and outside of science.

Learning Outcomes

On satisfying the requirements of this course, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. Plan and engage in an independent and sustained critical investigation of a chosen research topic to generate new knowledge in an area of science.
2. Systematically evaluate relevant theory and concepts in science, relate these to appropriate methodologies and evidence and draw appropriate conclusions.
3. Analyse and interpret original science research data with statistical or other evaluative processes where appropriate.
4. Demonstrate sufficient mastery to understand and apply relevant experimental techniques and methods in science to collect original research data.
5. Communicate and justify complex concepts and results clearly and effectively to a variety of audiences.

Indicative Assessment

• Research Proposal and Introductory Seminar (10%)
• Research Training and Methodology Tutorial Tests (20%)
• Research Thesis (60%)
• Research Seminar (10%)