This unit entry is for students who completed this unit in 2016 only. For students planning to study the unit, please refer to the unit indexes in the the current edition of the Handbook. If you have any queries contact the managing faculty for your course or area of study.

BIO3011 - Research methods in biology

6 points, SCA Band 2, 0.125 EFTSL

Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Faculty

Science

Organisational Unit

School of Biological Sciences

Coordinator(s)

Dr Christopher Johnstone

Offered

Clayton

First semester 2016 (Day)

Synopsis

The philosophy of science. Writing and assessing scientific papers and reports. The analysis and interpretation of biological data, especially the design and analysis of experiments. This unit is a pre-requisite unit for Honours in Biology (BIO4100 and BIO4200).

Outcomes

On completion of this unit students will be able to:

Explain the basic principles underlying the philosophy of science;

Design testable hypotheses and predictions in biological investigations;

Demonstrate critical, analytical skills in writing, assessing and publishing scientific papers and reports and interpretation of biological data;

Evaluate and determine the suitability of different statistical approaches to analyse biological data;

Apply current techniques of statistical analysis.

Assessment

Theory examination (2.5 hours): 50%
Practical examination (2 hours):25%
Practical work and assignments: 25%

Workload requirements

Two 1-hour lectures and equivalent of 3 hours laboratory/tutorials per week

Chief examiner(s)

Dr Christopher Johnstone

This unit applies to the following area(s) of study

Ecology and conservation biology
Genetics
Plant sciences
Zoology

Prerequisites

12 points from level two BIO, BTH, ENV or GEN units and either SCI1020 or STA1010 or STA2010 or permission. Recommended unit: BIO2011