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60905 Leadership and Teamwork in Science

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular semester, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

UTS: Science: Chemistry and Forensic Science
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks

There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Handbook description

This subject is an introduction to management in a science context. The particular areas focused on are the main ideas of leadership, issues of motivation, the influence of personality and the use of teamwork in the workplace. The management and motivation of staff, team work and team leadership, and strategic management are important competencies of managers in science-based enterprises. An important aspect of this subject is utilising case studies and student experience in leadership and teamwork to provide stimulus for discussion. This subject provides the essential knowledge and concepts in teamwork and leadership to facilitate skills development in these areas relevant to each student's career.

Subject objectives/outcomes

At the completion of this subject students are expected to be able to:

  1. Understand theories of leadership
  2. Show in-depth knowledge of theories of motivation
  3. Understand the importance of personality in influencing workplace behaviour
  4. Demonstrate the capacity to apply appropriate leadership behaviour
  5. Appreciate the theories of team development and teamwork

Contribution to course aims and graduate attributes

The Faculty of Science has determined that our courses will aim to develop the following attributes in students at the completion of their course of study. Each subject will contribute to the development of these attributes in ways appropriate to the subject and the stage of progression, thus not all attributes are expected to be addressed in all subjects.

Disciplinary knowledge and its appropriate application: the disciplinary knowledge in this subject is from the management science sphere and there is a focus on the appropriate application of these perspectives to issues of leadership and teamwork in science-based enterprises and institutions.

An Enquiry-oriented approach: this subject develops a deep understanding of the practice of management in science-based enterprises and institutions. Management, leadership and teamwork are explored from various relevant perspectives. Skills in critical thinking and problem solving are specifically addressed.

Professional skills and their appropriate application: professional skills that are further developed include a high capacity for critical thinking, soundness of judgment, and a superior level of comprehension. Skills in leadership and teamwork are the principal focus.

The ability to be a Lifelong Learner: in exploring the theoretical background to leadership and teamwork, there will be opportunities for searching and retrieval of relevant material enhance skills that students may have acquired as undergraduates.

Engagement with the needs of Society: given that science-based industry underpins the global economy, the development of highly skilled leaders and people skilled in working in teams represents a contribution to the sustainability of society. Students will gain a greater understanding of the scope of science to contribute to the community.

Communication skills: these skills are specifically developed in the course of building skills in leadership and teamwork with opportunities for communication in written, verbal and visual forms beyond the normal expectations for undergraduate students.

Initiative and innovative ability: as a postgraduate subject there is an increased expectation that students will take responsibility for their own learning. There is flexibility in negotiating the work that the students can undertake so that they can demonstrate innovation and initiative.

Teaching and learning strategies

Classes will be held on three Saturdays within the semester. The first two days will be full-day sessions and the third Saturday will be a half-day involving individual presentations. The format for the 3rd and 17th March classes will be presentations on the topics discussed and then considerable time allowing students the opportunity to discuss their own experiences. There will be several exercises on leadership and teamwork in the normal session.

This subject gives the opportunity for students to experience some personal growth as leaders and as leaders/members of a team. The class sessions will offer a ‘safe environment’ where students can explore some issue of leadership, motivation, personality and teamwork.

A great deal of the learning in this subject occurs through interaction in the class sessions. It is expected that every student will do their best to contribute to discussions. Students will treat the classes as they would a work commitment. There should be a level of obligation to your fellow students and the staff members involved. Students are expected to attend every class and arrive on time. If students will be absent they are required to contact the staff member in advance to explain their absence.

Content

  • Theories of Leadership
  • Leaders and Organizations
  • Models of Leadership Practice
  • Theories of Motivation
  • Personality
  • The interplay of personality and motivation in making an effective team member
  • Why organizations use teams
  • How teams work
  • The life cycle of a team

Assessment

Assessment Item 1: Assignment on Leadership Style

Objective(s):

• Demonstrating an understanding of leadership;
• Showing a capacity for critical thinking and analytical/critical skills;
• Demonstrating skill in communication.
Weighting:

30%
Length:

Word count: ca 2000 words
Criteria:

Assessment will focus on content and the clarity of the assignment including evidence of research and development of a broad understanding of the issues of leadership. The cases should be discussed in the context of the principal theories of leadership.

These assessment criteria relate directly to the following graduate attributes (please refer to list above for more detailed explication):
• Disciplinary knowledge and its appropriate application;
• Professional skills and their appropriate application;
• Engagement with the needs of Society;
• Communication skills;
• Initiative and innovative ability.

Assessment Item 2: Assignment on Personality and Motivation

Objective(s):
  • Demonstrating an understanding of the key ideas about personality;
  • Demonstrating an understanding of the principal theories of motivation;
  • Showing a capacity for critical thinking and analytical/critical skills when dealing with scholarly material;
  • Developing skills in critical reading;
  • Demonstrating skill in written communication.
Weighting:

30%
Length:

Word count: 2000 words
Criteria:

Ideas on personality well presented; theories of motivation presented and discussed; link made between motivation and personality; evidence of critical reading and review.

These assessment criteria relate directly to the following graduate attributes (please refer to list above for more detailed explication):
• Disciplinary knowledge and its appropriate application;
• Professional skills and their appropriate application;
• Engagement with the needs of Society
• Communication skills;
• Initiative and innovative ability.

Assessment Item 3: Individual Presentation

Objective(s):
  • Demonstration of capacity to make a well-planned presentation;
  • Demonstration of superior communication skills;
  • Demonstration of capacity for critical thinking and analytical/critical skills;
  • Demonstration of capacity to plan the management of a team exercise;
  • Using sound judgement and high level of comprehension.
Weighting:

30%
Criteria:

The evidence of background research / planning; the capacity to engage with complex issues; good presentation skills, demonstration of a capacity to understand and discuss the issues of leadership.

These assessment criteria relate directly to the following graduate attributes (please refer to list above for more detailed explication):
• Disciplinary knowledge and its appropriate application;
• Professional skills and their appropriate application;
• Engagement with the needs of Society
• Communication skills;
• Initiative and innovative ability.

Assessment Item 4: Class participation

Objective(s):
  • Demonstrating capacity for critical thinking and analytical/critical skills;
  • Demonstrating preparation for class;
  • Building skills in verbal communication.
Weighting:

10%
Criteria:

Extent to which participation shows evidence of preparation and background reading; evidence of the capacity for reflection and planning; evidence of capacity to explore complex issues; evidence of understanding of major issues.

These assessment criteria relate directly to the following graduate attributes (please refer to list above for more detailed explication):
• Disciplinary knowledge and its appropriate application;
• Professional skills and their appropriate application;
• Engagement with the needs of Society;
• The ability to be a lifelong learner;
• Communication skills;
• Initiative and innovative ability.

NB All submitted papers making use of published materials, should be properly referenced and with a properly completed bibliography.

Minimum requirements

All assessment items must be completed in order to achieve a passing grade in the subject.

Recommended texts

Nicky Hayes, Managing Teams: a strategy for success, London: Thomson Learning, 2002.

Readings for particular classes / topics will be circulated.

References

Andrew DuBrin and Carol Dalglish, Leadership: An Australasian Focus, Milton, Qld: Wiley, 2003.