SLE115 - Essential Skills in Science
Unit details
| Year | 2026 unit information |
|---|---|
| Enrolment modes: | Trimester 1: Online |
| Credit point(s): | 1 |
| EFTSL value: | 0.125 |
| Unit Chair: | Trimester 1: Agnes Michalczyk |
| Prerequisite: | Nil |
| Corequisite: | STP010 |
| Incompatible with: | SLE109, SLE113 and SLE141 |
| Educator-facilitated (scheduled) learning activities - online unit enrolment: | Online independent and collaborative learning activities including 1 x 2 hour scheduled online seminar per week (weeks 1-11) and 1 x 1 hour scheduled online practical experience (workshop) per week (weeks 2-11). |
| Typical study commitment: | Students will on average spend 150 hours over the teaching period undertaking the teaching, learning and assessment activities for this unit. |
Content
This unit is the first of a sequence of professional practice units designed specifically for students in the first year of a science degree to develop their employability skills. The unit will draw upon and extend the scientific content of other core first year units, utilising this context for science-specific skill-building exercises and transferrable skills fundamental to a successful STEM career. These exercises will include data analysis and presentation, library research methods, scientific writing and referencing, mathematics and statistics.
Learning outcomes
| ULO | These are the Unit Learning Outcomes (ULOs) for this unit. At the completion of this unit, successful students can: | Alignment to Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (GLOs) |
|---|---|---|
| ULO1 | Investigate career development skills (awareness, planning, application) in order to develop employability skills and improve work-related opportunities. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities GLO6: Self-management |
| ULO2 | Demonstrate a basic understanding of scientific research, publications and social responsibility. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO3 | Analyse scientific data using basic mathematics and simple statistical tests. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO4 | Understand their ethical and social responsibilities as students and professionals and demonstrate an understanding of the importance of being an ally with First Nation people. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO5 | Interpret, critically evaluate, summarise and reference scientific information. | GLO1: Discipline-specific knowledge and capabilities |
| ULO6 | Work effectively as part of a team. | GLO2: Communication |
Assessment
| Assessment Description | Student output | Grading and weighting (% total mark for unit) | Indicative due week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 | 45-minute online scenario-based short answer and multiple-choice quiz | 8% | Week 3 |
| Assessment 2 | Literature search, written essay plan an group presentation | 36% (18%, 18%) (Individual, group) | Weeks 5 and 8 |
| Assessment 3 | 50-minute online multiple-choice test | 18% | Week 6 |
| Assessment 4 | Career planning report, 1,500 word maximum | 20% | Week 10 |
| End-of-Unit Assessment | Timed online test | 18% | End-of-Unit Assessment period |
The assessment due weeks provided may change. The Unit Chair will clarify the exact assessment requirements, including the due date, at the start of the teaching period.
Learning resource
The texts and reading list for SLE115 can be found via the University Library.
Note: Select the relevant trimester reading list. Please note that a future teaching period's reading list may not be available until a month prior to the start of that teaching period so you may wish to use the relevant trimester's prior year reading list as a guide only.
Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)
To fully engage with Deakin's learning experiences, students must be able to access and use internet-connected devices as outlined in computing requirements at Deakin.
To support student success at Deakin, we have a bring-your-own-device (BYOD) learning environment that acknowledges that students and educators bring with them the digital tools they regularly use to complete academic tasks. These tools stay with you beyond the classroom, helping you to keep learning, explore ideas more deeply, and connect with knowledge in ways that matter to you.
Students requiring a loan device should visit our Loan Laptop webpage or students requiring longer-term assistance should visit our Student Financial Assistance webpage.
Unit Fee Information
Fees and charges vary depending on the type of fee place you hold, your course, your commencement year, the units you choose to study and their study discipline, and your study load.
Tuition fees increase at the beginning of each calendar year and all fees quoted are in Australian dollars ($AUD). Tuition fees do not include textbooks, computer equipment or software, other equipment or costs such as mandatory checks, travel and stationery.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current Students website.