FLINDERS UNIVERSITY
Significant Change to a BSc Course
BACHELOR OF SCIENCE
NEW MAJOR / EXTENDED MAJOR / MINOR PROPOSAL
For assistance in completing this form please refer to:
http://www.flinders.edu.au/polsec/courseapproval/sigchange.htm
1
BASIC INFORMATION
1.1
Course affected: Bachelor of Science
1.2
Faculty administering the course: Science and Engineering
1.3
Year and semester when the change will take effect:
1.4
Nature of the change:
1.4.1 Introduction / Deletion of a:
Major
Minor
Extended Major
Other (specify):
Indicate in detail the nature and significance of the proposed change, and explain how it is
consistent with the BSc course aims and outcomes
1.4.2 PROPOSED STRUCTURE:
Educational Aims:
Brief intro paragraph, and dotpoints
Learning Outcomes
Brief intro paragraph, and dotpoints
Program of Study
Please follow the same style as that which appears in the Web and course handbook. Information
regarding semester in which topic is offered is not included in the web version, but is required here
to show the program is balanced.
First year requirements
The following topics must be selected as part of the 36 unit First Year program:
Topic Code
Topic Name
Units
Semester
Units
Semester
Units
Semester
Second year program:
Topic Code
Topic Name
Third year program:
Topic Code
1.5
Topic Name
Other Information
Where courses are taught jointly with another institution or off-shore or using non-Flinders staff,
additional information may be required as evidence that quality assurance has been addressed.
2
ACADEMIC AND EDUCATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS
2.1
Rationale for the change and relationship to content and structure of the
course
Indicate the rationale for the change to the course, including any changes to the course aims or
student outcomes
2.2
Strategic significance of the change: to the AOU, the Faculty, to the
University and the community
The proposed amendment should be linked to the University's strategic goals, the Faculty's action
plan, and the School’s strategic plan.
2.3
Evidence of demand for the change and investigation of potential market
What evidence is there to indicate that the change to the course must be made? Evidence of
consultation with the clientele and employers is required. The Faculty must show that there is a
need for the change which is proposed.
3
IMPLICATIONS OF THE CHANGE
3.1
Resource requirements
Indicate any additional staff requirements and show how the School proposes to resource into the future.
3.2
Library resource requirements
3.3
Relationship to other Flinders' courses (existing or proposed)
Indicate the way in which the amended course will fit within the framework of other related
courses, articulate with prior study and will be a precursor for further study. Any change in the
place of the course in the range of study available in a particular discipline area should be shown,
and whether that discipline area exists solely within the University or articulates with programs
outside the University should be indicated.
3.4
Cross-faculty teaching input and degree of consultation with other faculties
3.5
Linkages with other tertiary institutions
4
CONTACT STAFF MEMBER ………………………………………………
Signature: …………………………………………………….. Date: ………………….
[Executive Dean of Faculty]
EXAMPLE ONLY:
Biology Major – Bachelor Of Science
Educational Aims
Biology is the study of life on Earth and the interactions that occur between living things
and their environments. Elements of the discipline focus on different groups of
organisms, for example, animal biology (zoology), plant biology (botany) or
microbiology (study of bacteria, viruses and other micro-organisms). Different aspects of
the interactions that occur between life forms and where they are found can be studied in
subjects concentrating on marine biology, animal behaviour, ecology and conservation
biology. General features of how living things function can also be studied through
genetics (the transmission of genes from parents to offspring), molecular biology (the
study of how genes function and what proteins do) and biochemistry (studying the natural
chemicals that cells make). Modern biology also encompasses multidisciplinary studies
such as bioinformatics (understanding gene information using biology and information
technology). The major aims to provide students with
 a broad overview of the evolution and diversity of living organisms
 an appreciation of the interactions that occur between living organisms and their
environments
 an understanding of how organisms function
 the opportunity to study specific aspects of biology in depth
 experience in the scientific method of reasoning and experimentation
 proficiency in current biological techniques
 understanding of the complex role of science in society
 knowledge on how to interrogate and present scientific information
 understanding of how to follow and absorb the continuing changes in science
Learning outcomes
Careers for biology graduates can be found in biological and medical research
laboratories, in industry, government agencies, consulting firms and teaching.
Opportunities for further study leading to Honours, Masters degrees and Doctorates in
biology are also available. By the end of the course each student should have acquired:
 a good understanding of the living world
 the capacity to understand and apply modern scientific principles
 the capacity to contextualise, integrate and critically evaluate scientific information
 the capacity to act ethically within their chosen field
 the skills to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team
 the ability to communicate effectively
 the motivation for life-long learning
First year requirements
The following topics must be selected as part of the 36 unit First Year program:
Topic Code Topic Name
Units Semester
BIOL1101
Biology 1A: Biological Diversity
4.5
1
BIOL1102
Biology 1B: Gene Expression
4.5
2
CHEM1101 Chemistry 1A
4.5
1
or
CHEM1201 Introduction to Chemistry 1A
4.5
1
CHEM1102 Chemistry 1B
4.5
2
or
CHEM1202 Introduction to Chemistry 1B
4.5
2
Second year program:
18 units comprising:
Topic Code Topic Name
Units Semester
BIOL2101
STAT2304
3
3
1
1
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
1
1
2
2
1
2
2
1
2
1
Laboratory Skills for Biologists
Statistics for Biology
plus 12 units selected from the following:
BIOL2105
BIOL2200
BIOL2210
BIOL2220
BIOL2230
BIOL2250
BIOL2251
BIOL2260
BIOL2271
BIOL2272
BIOL2280
Prac Skills in Cell & Molecular Biology
Basic Genetics
Basic Metabolism
Molecular Biology
Basic Microbiology
Plant Anatomy, Physiology & Development
Plant & Algal Diversity
Animal Physiology
Marine & Terrestrial Animal Diversity
Marine Biology & Ecology
Population Ecology
Third year program:
18 units selected from the following:
Topic Code Topic Name
BIOL3112
Molecular Cell Biology
BIOL3141
Microbiology
BIOL3142
Microbiology theory
BIOL3171
Molecular & Cellular Biology Laboratory
BIOL3201
Biol of Fungi & Lower Eukaryotes
BIOL3224
Plant Speciation & Evolutionary Ecology
Units Semester
3
2
6
1
3
1
6
1
3
1
3
2
BIOL3240
BIOl3260
BIOL3262
BIOL3263
BIOL3270
BIOL3291
BIOL3292
BIOL3324
BIOL3330
BIOL3332
BIOL3340
BIOL3380
BIOL3390
BIOL3500
BIOL3992
BIOL3997
Ecophysiology of Plants
Community Ecology
Projects in Ecology & Behaviour A
Projects in Ecology & Behaviour B
Conservation Biology
DNA Cloning & Manipulation
Genetics & Genomics
Physiological Systems
Functional Ecology of Marine Organisms
Biology of Marine Mammals
Marine Microbiology
Animal Behaviour
Vertebrate Paleontology
Restoration Ecology, Bioremediation
& Environmental Sustainability
Biological Essays
Projects in Molecular & Microbial
Biosciences
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
6
1
2
1
2
2
1
2
1
1
1
2
1
SU
3
3
1
all
3
2,SF