60716 Science Professional Experience (18cp)
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Credit points: 18 cp
Result type: Grade and marks
Anti-requisite(s): 94680 Entering Professional Life (6cp) AND 94681 Entering Professional Life (8cp)
Recommended studies:
72 credit points of UTS: Science undergraduate subjects
Description
In this subject, students undertake a professional experience with an external organisation (e.g. business, external research institute) or UTS unit, department, institute or school, in a capacity relevant to their academic studies. This assists in developing their professional attributes related to employability, discipline knowledge and professional networks which can contribute to their career goals. Through their professional experience, students are exposed to a subset of the professional functions and activities relevant to their field of study. Students must undertake approximately 300 hours of work in their professional placement. The specific terms and timeframe of the professional experience may be negotiated as a learning contract between the student and the host organisation in consultation with the subject coordinator. Students develop an appreciation of how education and training in the sciences is applied in a workplace by reporting on the outcomes of their placement.
The professional experience must be based on an agreed and approved program of work which aims to achieve predetermined learning objectives.
Teaching and learning strategies
The student will learn by way of induction programs, workplace training, online collaborative activities, independent learning, and reflection. The nature of the reseach experience is unique to each student and relies heavily on the student to be self-directed and motivated, seek feedback, and make the most of their workplace learning opportunities through interactions with the student’s supervisor and workplace colleagues.
Online or on-site. The student will complete any induction procedures on workplace issues before the commencement of any work, as required by the provider. This should include environmental/occupational health and safety, and ethical and legal responsibilities.
Workplace training. During the professional experience, the student will learn about the application of science to the workplace, participate in workplace tasks, and receive ongoing onsite evaluation and feedback from their workplace supervisor during their placement. Reflections on the student’s work and response to feedback will be captured in the report.
Online learning. Students will have access to a discussion forum on CANVAS throughout the period of the professional experience. In this way, each intern is a member of a supportive peer community of interns who can share their progress with their peers. These online discussion forums can also serve to help students with their critical reflection. Information regarding netiquette as well as scaffolding as to the sorts of threads that are expected will be provided as resources linked to the forum.
Independent learning. Each student will engage in a unique independent learning journey. This gives them the opportunity to treat their workplace as a learning environment. Learning in the workplace encompasses critical reflection and will be documented in the report.
Content (topics)
Pre-professional experience.
- The proposal.
- Any workplace induction procedures.
During the professional experience
- Guidance in developing their professional attributes related to employability, discipline knowledge, and professional networks from their relevant supervisors.
- Developing their career goals.
Post-professional experience
- Report.
- Supervisor’s evaluation.
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Proposal
| Type: | Report |
|---|---|
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 15% |
Assessment task 2: Reflective journal and work portfolio
| Type: | Portfolio |
|---|---|
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
Assessment task 3: Report
| Type: | Report |
|---|---|
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 45% |
Minimum requirements
Students must achieve at least 50% of the subject’s final total marks.