In an attempt to focus students on current issues and also to involve distance students to a greater extent, an online discussion forum was used in 2005 as a method of assessment. This online forum allowed internal and distance students to take part equally and provided the students with an opportunity for greater intellectual interaction. 10 different peer reviewed papers and topics were used, one for each week, and students posted their opinions and thoughts online, based on these topics.

Charles Sturt University caters for a number of distance students as well as those who attend classes on campus. Although this opens up possibilities for those who would otherwise be unable to take part in tertiary education, it also poses some problems when it comes to feedback of assessment. Feedback is one of the main tools a student can use to improve his or her skills, but it can sometimes be the case that a student has to hand in an assignment before the previous one has been returned and used for improvement.

Practical reports are an important part of assessment right through any science course. This initiative aims to address any issues to do with the writing of practical reports early on in a student's time at university so that he/ she will not be a problem later on. Students who are recognised as having difficulty with the structure, writing and referencing of practical reports are advised to go and talk to student services about getting help in these areas.