LA TROBE UNIVERSITY College of Science, Health and Engineering Mathematics and Statistics Subject Title: Data-Based Critical Thinking Subject Code: STA1DCT LMS Subject link: https://lms.latrobe.edu.au/course/view.php?id=53718 Undergraduate SUBJECT LEARNING GUIDE Semester 1, 2018 Campus: Melbourne (Bundoora) Subject Coordinator: Dr David Farchione Instance Coordinator: Dr David Farchione
SUBJECT DETAILS Subject Code: STA1DCT Subject Title: Data-Based Critical Thinking Teaching Period: 1 Location(s): Melbourne (Bundoora) Credit Points: 15 Delivery Mode: Day AQF Level: Undergraduate ENROLMENT REQUIREMENTS Prerequisites: None Co-requisites: None Assumed Skills & Knowledge: None Special Study Requirements: None Additional subject requirements: STA1DCT is incompatible with STA2DCT (last offered in 2014) STAFF CONTACTS Subject Coordinator: Dr David Farchione Email: d.farchione@latrobe.edu.au Tel: 94792091 Location: PS2 220A, Physical Sciences 2, Melbourne (Bundoora) Campus Consultation time: Tuesday 11-12pm Subject Learning Guide 2018 - STA1DCT College of Science, Health and Engineering Page 2 of 7 -
ABOUT THIS SUBJECT This subject helps the student evaluate data-based evidence encountered in everyday life. It provides the fundamental numeracy skills required by business people, scientists, lawyers, nurses, journalists, social scientists, teachers and other professionals who need to evaluate data-based arguments, whether found in newspapers, television or on-line websites. This is achieved by a combination of studying newsworthy topics introduced in lectures, laboratory classes which encourage engagement with others and on-line quizzes that assess numeracy skills. The four themes covered in this subject are gathering useful data, turning data into information, probability and from data to decision making. GRADUATE CAPABILITIES (GC) GC Literacies and Communication Skills Not evaluated in this subject Inquiry and Analytical Skills Not evaluated in this subject Personal and Professional Skills Not evaluated in this subject Discipline specific Knowledge and Skills Not evaluated in this subject GC Point SUBJECT INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (SILOS) Upon successful completion of this subject, you should be able to: 1 Critique data-based conclusions that are reported in the media and similar outlets 2 Interpret/derive simple numeric and graphical statistical summary measures of data 3 Calculate probabilities in a variety of scenarios that may be used for informed decision making 4 Identify and discuss common misconceptions of probability that can lead to poor decisions *Timetable details are available at http://www.latrobe.edu.au/students/timetables LEARNING RESOURCES Resource Type Title Author and Year Publisher Subject Text (Prescribed) Data-Based Critical Thinking Luke Prendergast, 2018 La Trobe ASSESSMENT AND FEEDBACK SUMMARY Date due % Assessment Activity (Assessment description) Feedback method Official first semester exam period Due on Thursday at 5pm in odd weeks starting from week 3 30 Quizzes must be completed by Friday 5pm in week 12 60 2.5-hour examination Assignments (5 assignments, equivalent to 1800 words) 10 Online numeracy skills quizzes (7 online quizzes, equivalent to 600 words) NB. Students should keep a copy of all assignments submitted for assessment. Subject Learning Guide 2018 - STA1DCT College of Science, Health and Engineering Page 3 of 7