Grand Challenges in Science
Overview
This unit provides an opportunity for the application of technical and professional skills to tackle real industry and community problems. Students will work individually or in teams to address challenges set by academic/industry/community partners, applying their technical knowledge while developing professional skills in teamwork, communication, research, innovation, complex problem solving, digital literacy and self-management.
Requisites
225cp in BA-SC2 or 325cp in a Science Double degree.
AND
NPS20005 Communication for Scientists
OR
NPS20011 Societal Challenges in Science
Assumed Knowledge
This unit should be taken in the final semester of study for science units
02-November-2025
31-May-2026
01-November-2026
Learning outcomes
Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:
- Design and conduct research to address problems faced by scientific and industry sectors
- Select and apply appropriate research and project management skills to execute a research or industry-based project
- Demonstrate working collaboratively, inclusively and independently as effective team member
- Communicate professionally in written, verbal, and visual forms, by selecting the appropriate digital tools to research or industry audiences
- Identify and adopt safe and ethical working practices relevant to research or industry-based project work
- Use self-management skills to lead their own learning and professional development aligned with their professional purpose
Teaching methods
Hawthorn
| Activity Type | Hours per week | Number of weeks | Total (number of hours) |
|---|---|---|---|
| On-campus Lab |
4.00 | 12 weeks | 48 |
| Online Learning activities |
2.00 | 12 weeks | 24 |
| Unspecified Activities Independent Learning |
5.50 | 12 weeks | 66 |
| Specified Activities Supervisor Meetings |
1.00 | 12 weeks | 12 |
| TOTAL | 150 |
Assessment
| Type | Task | Weighting | ULOs |
|---|---|---|---|
| Oral Presentation | Individual/Group | 10 - 30% | 2,3,4,6 |
| Portfolio | Individual | 20 - 40% | 1,2,3,4,5,6 |
| Project Report | Individual/Group | 40 - 50% | 2,3,4,6 |
Content
The specific content of each team-based project will depend on the industry partner, but all will involving a substantial research component, relevant to the discipline area of the placement.
Project Portfolio: Students will undertake a research project with an industry partner either external to the university (e.g., industry, business, government, NGO, community organisations) or internal to the university (e.g., research centres, research institutes or academic researchers).
Students will develop professional knowledge and skills in the following areas:
Inclusive behaviours and strategies,
Intellectual Property,
Professional Reporting,
Reflective Practice.
• Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Verbal communication
• Graduate Attribute – Communication Skills: Communicating using different media
• Graduate Attribute – Teamwork Skills: Collaboration and negotiation
• Graduate Attribute – Teamwork Skills: Teamwork roles and processes
• Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Information literacy
• Graduate Attribute – Digital Literacies: Technical literacy
Study resources
Reading materials
A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.