60710 CODEx Internship
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Description
This subject is available only for students participating in the UTS CODEx program and assists participants in developing their professional attributes related to employability, discipline knowledge and professional networks which can contribute to their career goals. Students work collaboratively in cross-faculty teams on focused business briefs in the Faculty of Science. Students are instructed and mentored by Faculty of Science researchers and industry partners. Students are actively involved with teamwork, leadership activities and professional development, and develop an appreciation of how education and training in the sciences are applied in a workplace by reporting on the outcomes of their internship. Students gain skills required to collaborate between disciplines.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Apply disciplinary knowledge and scientific practice in a workplace scenario |
|---|---|
| 2. | Work collaboratively in cross-Faculty teams |
| 3. | Work within a business brief around an item or process that draws upon global research results |
| 4. | Work on a business brief that considers budgetary, regulatory, and technological constraints |
| 5. | Critically reflect on workplace experiences and use this to develop a series of steps for career planning |
| 6. | Communicate outcomes of the internship via oral presentations and a written report |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of following course intended learning outcomes:
- Demonstrate theoretical and technical knowledge of broad science concepts and explain specialised disciplinary knowledge. (1.1)
- Evaluate scientific evidence and apply effective experimental design and/or mathematical reasoning, analysis, and critical thinking to apply science and/or mathematic methodologies to real world problems. (2.1)
- Work autonomously or in teams to address workplace or community problems utilising best scientific practice, with consideration to safety requirements and ethical guidelines. (3.1)
- Design creative solutions to contemporary or complex scientific issues by incorporating innovative methods, reflective practices, and self-directed learning. (4.1)
- Present and communicate complex ideas and justifications using appropriate communication approaches from a variety of methods (oral, written, visual) to communicate with discipline experts, scientists, industry, and the general public. (5.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
This subject contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes in the Faculty of Science:
Graduate attribute 1 – Disciplinary knowledge
Students have a unique opportunity to engage in experiential learning in a simulated workplace and will apply and extend their disciplinary knowledge within a focused business brief.
Graduate attribute 2 – Research, Inquiry and critical thinking
Students will develop logical thought, critical thinking and problem solving skills within a simulated workplace environment as they work together to address the business brief.
Graduate attribute 3 - Professional, ethical, and social responsibility
Students will develop, employ and integrate a range of skills within the professional context, autonomously and collaboratively. This subject will help students to develop and apply generic skills such as time management, personal organisation, teamwork and negotiation with team members. An awareness of the ethical and regulatory space in which scientists operate will also be developed.
Graduate attribute 4 - Reflection, Innovation and Creativity
Reflective practice is a key skill that students will develop throughout the subject. In the employability task students reflect upon what contribution the internship experience has made to their developing employability. This is in the context of evaluating the learning achieved against selection criteria for an advertised vacancy for graduates of their discipline. Students are also encouraged to undertake self-directed, curiosity-motivated learning to achieve their personal and professional learning goals. Self-directed learning also includes engagement with the UTS Online discussion forums and online modules. In addressing the business brief, students will develop an ability to think and work creatively, including the ability to apply skills to unfamiliar applications.
Graduate attribute 5 - Communication
Students will extend their development of communication skills through authentic workplace communications. Workplace communications include team meetings, presentations by the team to peers, collaborative work and written reports, all of which will help students to develop their communication skills in the professional context. Improving communication in the workplace also enhances team building skills and reduces cultural differences. Teamwork will provide the opportunity to develop leadership skills and an ability to influence by persuasion.
Teaching and learning strategies
The student will learn by way of by peer mentoring, leadership activities, mentoring by UTS researchers and presentations from industry partners, by collaborative activities, and by independent learning and reflection.
Presentations: During the program, the student will attend presentations by selected speakers regarding the commercialisation of scientific discoveries and research with consideration to financial, regulatory and technological factors and constraints. Students will learn about the application of science to the workplace, participate in workplace tasks, and receive ongoing evaluation and feedback from their mentors during the internship. Reflections on the student’s work and response to feedback will form part of employability assessment task.
Online learning: Students on internship will have access to an online discussion forum throughout the period of the program. In this way each participant is a member of a supportive peer community. This platform will also be used for communication between members of any team. Supporting resources will also be provided online. Students will also undertake an online learning module on reflective practice
Collaborative learning: Central to this program is that students will be working in cross-Faculty teams on their business brief and on the linked oral and written assessments. Team work is a key component of this subject and of three assessment tasks. Students will complete self and peer assessment on group contribution using SPARKPlus. This tool will allow students to provide feedback to team members and reflect on their own approaches to team work. Students will be expected to discuss and explain their work to other team members and receive peer and mentor feedback.
Independent learning: Each student will engage in a unique independent learning journey. This gives them the opportunity to treat this simulated workplace as a learning environment. Learning in the workplace encompasses critical reflection and will be documented in the employability assessment task.
Content (topics)
Pre-internship
- Internship application
During the internship
- Students will be given a business brief which will set out a scenario within which the student will conduct the internship.
- Students will work within a team that operates in a wider group.
- Students will perform defined tasks that require strong individual contributions to team and group goals.
- Online discussion forum.
- Generic professional activities such as one-on-one and team communication, leading, and organising.
After the internship
- Employability task
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Interim Oral Presentation
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 2. Research, inquiry, and critical thinking 3. Professional, ethical, and social responsibility 4. Reflection, Innovation, and Creativity 5. Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed |
| Weight: | 20% |
| Length: | The length of the presentation will be governed by the number of teams in a group working on a particular brief. Each team must present their work for 30-45 minutes. |
| Criteria: | The presentation will be assessed according to the following criteria: 1. Quality of oral communication skills 2. Coherence and structure of the presentation and the level to which it reflects the business brief 3. Depth of discussion and insights or recommendations, depending on the brief |
Assessment task 2: Final Oral Presentation
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 2. Research, inquiry, and critical thinking 3. Professional, ethical, and social responsibility 4. Reflection, Innovation, and Creativity 5. Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | The length of the presentation will be governed by the number of teams in a group working on a particular brief. Each team must present their work for 30-45 minutes. |
| Criteria: | The presentation will be assessed according to the following criteria: 1. Quality of oral communication skills 2. Coherence and structure of the presentation and the level to which it reflects the business brief 3. Depth of discussion and insights or recommendations, depending on the brief |
Assessment task 3: Written Report
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attributes: 1. Disciplinary knowledge 2. Research, inquiry, and critical thinking 3. Professional, ethical, and social responsibility 4. Reflection, Innovation, and Creativity 5. Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 2, 3, 4 and 6 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 1.1, 2.1, 3.1, 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Group, group assessed |
| Weight: | 10% |
| Length: | The report will be no shorter than eight and no longer than ten printed A4 pages, excluding the title page, with 1 cm margins, in 12 point Arial font. Tables and graphics may be used judiciously. References, where required, should be collated at the end of the report and may be in addition to the 8-10 printed pages of the main body of the report. |
| Criteria: | The report will be assessed according to the following criteria: 1. Quality of written communication skills, including error-free and thoroughly proofread report 2. Coherence and structure of the report and the level to which it reflects the business brief 3. Depth of discussion and insights or recommendations, depending on the brief |
Assessment task 4: Employability task
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following graduate attribute: 4. Reflection, Innovation, and creativity 5. Communication |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses subject learning objective(s): 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of course intended learning outcome(s): 4.1 and 5.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 1000 words. |
| Criteria: | The reflection will be assessed according to the following criteria: 1. Depth of critical reflection 2. Appropriateness of strategies to improve capacity to address the selection criterion including evidence and examples 3. Quality of written communication skills |
Minimum requirements
Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s final total marks. Additionally, in order for students to be deemed to pass the subject: all assessments must be submitted and the mark for the final report must exceed a minimum score equal to 40% of the total possible marks.