SCIF1004 Science and the Cinema
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SCIF1004 Science and the Cinema
General Information
Welcome to SCIF1004 Science and the Cinema! The objectives of the course are for you to learn
some introductory level science and to think about how science is portrayed to the general public by
the movie industry. The sorts of questions I hope we manage to consider are things like, “Is science
portrayed well and accurately?” “Does it matter if the science is distorted if it helps the plot of a
movie?” I also hope that you learn a little about DNA analysis, genetically modified organisms,
climate change, space exploration and viruses. There is also an element of self-evaluation which
should hopefully allow you to develop your critical thinking skills and allow you to start to become
more reflective when completing tasks and assignments. But most of all I hope that the course is not
only a good learning experience but that you enjoy it too.
SCIF1004 Science and the Cinema is only offered as an online course. There are a few
changes based upon MyExperience feedback from last year and I hope you complete this year’s
MyExperience survey to help me further develop the course.
There are a range of assessment tasks (watching lectures and films before answering online
quizzes, a discussion piece based upon what you have learnt in the lectures and then a freeform
piece). The assessment tasks and key dates are below.
My recommendation would be to attempt the assessment tasks in order (they are designed
to lead you through the course in a logical manner) but you are free to do them in any order.
All deadlines are fixed, a change in deadline will only be given in extenuating circumstances
and any special considerations must go through the standard UNSW procedures. Note, you can
submit assessment items before the deadline.
Please note feedback on assessments will not be given until after the deadline for submission
has passed, and for the longer assessment tasks please allow sufficient time for your work to be
assessed before contacting the coordinator for feedback. There is further information on how you
are assessed in the associated assessment document, please read this before contacting the
coordinator.
Key dates:
Course dates – Tuesday 3rd January – Friday 3rd February (distance learning; internet access and some
time required)
Assessment Tasks
Please note, additional information about each task including marking rubrics (where applicable) can
be found on the Moodle page.
1) Pre-recorded lectures and Films -
Quizzes
• These are worth 10% of the total course mark.
• Each lecture covers a different topic and there
are associated films that you should watch
after the lecture.
• Each quiz can only be attempted once, they are
there to ‘check’ that you have watched the
Key dates:
Watch the lectures and films before
completing the quizzes: All due on 3rd
February
SCIF1004 Science and the Cinema
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lectures/films and understood the lecture
material.
• Once the deadline has passed the results will
be released.
2) Discussion piece
• This is worth 40% of the course.
• You write a piece on how a science/scientific
theme has been portrayed in film; has it been
shown as a force for good, a cautionary tale or
a bit of both…?
• You many use one of the films from the course
or another of your own choosing.
• The piece is to be 1000 (900-1100) words.
Key dates:
Submission of assignment: Friday 13th
January
3) Free-form piece
• This is worth 50% of the course.
• You submit a piece of work under the general
theme/title of ‘Science and the Cinema’.
• This assignment is very open and you can
submit a wide variety of different pieces.
Key dates:
Submission of assignment: Friday 27th
January
Any issues or concerns, contact the course coordinator:
Dr Scott Sulway
SCIF1004 Course Coordinator
School of Chemistry
s.sulway@unsw.edu.au