Expectations of Staff and Students

Vision

The University of New England’s School of Science and Technology strives to provide all its students with an environment that facilitates student learning – an environment  in which they feel valued. The School of Science and Technology seeks to create learning opportunities that challenge students to develop critical, analytical and logical thinking through students engaging with their peers and teachers. It is also important that students develop skills of independent learning and the ability to critically analyse their own work and to develop a solid foundation in the principles of scientific thinking and the scientific method. We aim to promote active engagement and collaboration with and between our students, and that by using research and innovative methods, our students will engage in problem solving, including real world issues. The School also believes that it is important to continually strive for an atmosphere of mutual respect, acknowledgement, and responsibility between faculty members and the student body. The following specific expectations have been formulated to optimise the learning environment.

All UNE School of Science and Technology students can expect

  1. that the courses offered by the School are AQF compliant and meet the requirements of any relevant professional accreditation bodies;
  2. that the content of the courses offered by the School are current and responsive to the relevant academic discussion and research;
  3. whether they are online or face-to-face, that the learning opportunities and assessment tasks in each unit provide opportunities to demonstrate learning and understanding, and have been designed with the goal of quality student learning in mind;
  4. to have access to a Learning Management System (LMS) site which will provide students with the following:
    • access to relevant University and School policies, learning materials and resources;
    • the Unit Information and Assessment Overview (including a welcome to the unit, information on the Unit Coordinator and teaching team, learning outcomes, prescribed resources, how to study the unit, assessment task information, study timetable etc.);
    • assessment task details, including instructions, marking criteria (except for examinations), submission information, alignment with learning outcomes, due dates, and any other relevant information;
    • teaching and learning materials or readings (e.g. textbook chapters) associated with the unit’s topic of study providing content and context;
    • opportunities to participate in facilitated discussions (synchronous or asynchronous) conducted in a flexible manner using learning technologies suited to the teaching approach adopted in a unit, and
    • opportunities for formative learning activities, based on the teaching approach adopted in a unit (for example, recorded lectures or tutorials, discussion forums, notes on tutorial questions posted online for self-review, online tutorials, etc.).
  5. if they are students enrolled in an on campus unit they will have at least 20 hours of face to face contact in the form of workshops, tutorials, lectures, or some combination of activities per trimester (exceptions to this may include project, special topic and/or reading units);
  6. to be treated with respect, professionalism and courtesy;
  7. to be supported by staff they encounter in the learning environment;
  8. that communication with teaching staff in the online environment, e.g. discussion forums, will be monitored by academic staff and that appropriate responses are provided in a timely fashion (usually within three working days), taking into account the desirability for creating space for students to interact with each other in responding to questions and comments;
  9. a response to a personal email (using UNE email addresses only) within three working days where possible; and
  10. that staff will adhere to and apply relevant University rules, policies and procedures.

School of Science and Technology staff can expect that students will

  1. be conversant and comply with relevant University rules, policies and procedures;
  2. ensure that they set aside approximately 150 hours for each unit in order to study effectively and recognise that if they do not have the requisite knowledge for a unit that extra time commitment will most likely be required;
  3. check their LMS site/s and UNE email address regularly and at least every three working days to access important communications;
  4. contact  UNE staff via email in the first instance, using their UNE email address only;
  5. meet expectations communicated by the Unit Coordinator with respect to work to be completed such as completing prescribed reading and other activities;
  6. check whether an answer is readily available in Unit Announcements, lecture notes or LMS forums before posting on LMS or emailing teaching staff;
  7. complete the Academic Integrity Module and when studying with others, be aware of the seriousness of academic misconduct and plagiarism and ensure that they submit only work that is their own;
  8. manage their time effectively;
  9. conduct themselves courteously and with respect when interacting with their peers, lecturers and professional staff and when completing teaching and unit evaluations;
  10. attend and participate in the scheduled lectures/tutorials/workshops/seminars in the units in which they are enrolled on campus;
  11. complete the Laboratory Safety Module and during practical and field work ensure they work effectively, responsibly and safely in an individual or team context; and
  12. strive toward being accountable for their own learning and scientific work by practising independent, self-directed learning and professional and ethical conduct.