Program Overview

Overview

Sydney Science 2050: Towards the Future is an innovative interdisciplinary course that invites students to explore the multifaceted nature of science. Rather than focusing exclusively on traditional views of science, students will learn how different paradigms, cultures, and worldviews can contribute to understanding, practising, and thinking scientifically. Led by a multidisciplinary teaching team, students will examine a range of topics that include broader perspectives on mathematics, physics, Indigenous knowledges, and biology. By challenging established perspectives, this unit will enable students to develop a deeper and more rigorous approach to scientific inquiry—equipping them to tackle the challenges of the future.

Unit Details and Rules

• Academic unit: History and Philosophy of Science Academic Operations
• Credit points: 6
• Prerequisites: None
• Corequisites: None
• Prohibitions: None
• Assumed knowledge: None
• Available to study abroad and exchange students: Yes

Teaching Staff

• Coordinator: Jacqueline Dalziell

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025

• Type: Supervised exam
  • Description: Final Exam
  • Weight: 30%
  • Due: Formal exam period, 21 Jun 2025 at 23:59
  • Length: 1.5 hours
  • Outcomes assessed: LO1, LO2, LO4, LO5, LO8, LO9
• Type: Online task
  • Description: Course Quiz
  • Weight: 2%
  • Due: Week 03, 14 Mar 2025 at 23:59
  • Length: 15 minutes
  • Outcomes assessed: LO2, LO5
• Type: Online task
  • Description: Quiz
  • Weight: 15%
  • Due: Week 05, 24 Mar 2025 at 23:59
  • Length: 35 minutes
  • Outcomes assessed: LO1, LO2, LO3, LO7
• Type: Assignment
  • Description: Scientific Poster
  • Weight: 20%
  • Due: Week 08, 18 Apr 2025 at 23:59
  • Length: One poster
  • Outcomes assessed: LO1, LO6
• Type: Small continuous assessment
  • Description: Weekly Short response
  • Weight: 15%
  • Due: Weekly, Mondays 23:59
  • Length: 200-300 words
  • Outcomes assessed: LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6, LO7, LO8, LO9
• Type: Participation
  • Description: Participation Requirements
  • Weight: 18%
  • Due: Weekly
  • Outcomes assessed: LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5, LO6, LO7, LO8, LO9

Learning Support

• Simple extensions: If students encounter a problem submitting their work on time, they may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.
• Special consideration: If exceptional circumstances mean students can’t complete an assessment, they need consideration for a longer period of time, or if they have essential commitments which impact their performance in an assessment, they may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Weekly Schedule

Learning Outcomes

At the completion of this unit, students should be able to:

• LO1: Use epistemic concepts such as objectivity and evidence and explain how they are relevant to scientific research.
• LO2: Explore the use, misuse, and limitations of science, mathematics, and statistics in decision making.
• LO3: Explain and appreciate the uncertainties inherent in the scientific process and the place of conditional probabilities and Bayesian logic.
• LO4: Articulate the power of science for understanding and manipulating the world and the impact on local, global, and international communities.
• LO5: Describe the influence of social, moral, and political contexts on science and be inclusive of knowledge systems which are non-science and are important in decisions.
• LO6: Use technologies and design experiments to collect data and solve simple and complex science problems on the Camperdown campus.
• LO7: Analyse and appreciate how mathematical models explain systems and the values associated with their use.
• LO8: Identify, describe, and communicate the nature of interdisciplinary problems where science has made an impact in industry, and regulatory practice.
• LO9: Describe scientific knowledge used in policy formulation and the constraints on policy-makers and other real-world actors.

Graduate Qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities has been designed to equip students for the contemporary world.

• GQ1: Depth of disciplinary expertise
• GQ2: Critical thinking and problem-solving
• GQ3: Oral and written communication
• GQ4: Information and digital literacy
• GQ5: Inventiveness
• GQ6: Cultural competence
• GQ7: Interdisciplinary effectiveness
• GQ8: Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity
• GQ9: Influence

Additional Information

• Science student portal
• Work, health, and safety: The University is governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011, and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.
• General Laboratory Safety Rules:
  • No eating or drinking is allowed in any laboratory under any circumstances.
  • A laboratory coat and closed-toe shoes are mandatory.
  • Follow safety instructions in the manual and posted in laboratories.
  • In case of fire, follow instructions posted outside the laboratory door.
  • First aid kits, eye wash, and fire extinguishers are located in or immediately outside each laboratory.
  • As a precautionary measure, it is recommended that students have a current tetanus immunisation. This can be obtained from the University Health Service.
• Disclaimer: The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.