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Unit outline_

AVBS2013: Research Experience Placement

Intensive July - August, 2024 [Block mode] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This placement will give students the experience of working in a research-focused environment. This may include field or lab-based research across any number of industries related to animal sciences. Examples include University based research (at the University of Sydney or other institutions), commercial research (e.g. research labs, pharmaceutical companies), medical (e.g Garvin Institute, Westmead), conservation (zoo or non-profit organisations) etc. Research outcomes can have relevance to animal (production, companion or wildlife) or human medicine (e.g. mice or rodents used as animal models for human disease, reproduction research). The focus of this placement should be to understand the research environment, processes and methodologies, and the application of the research outcomes relevant to the field of work. While students may not be able to participate in the entirety of a research program, they should be able to report on the research methods and applications. Students should also familiarise themselves with the research team, aims and funding schemes, and the major challenges associated with the research field. Students can choose from a comprehensive list of research placement sites on SONIA, or are welcome to find and apply to add a new site/supervisor.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points 0
Prerequisites
? 
AVBS1002
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Sabrina Lomax, sabrina.lomax@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 1 August 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Placement Placement attendance
Attendance and active participation in placement
0% Ongoing 10 days
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO6 LO5 LO4
Assignment Placement Report
Professional Experience Placement reports
0% Week 07
Due date: 31 Aug 2024 at 23:59
Maximum 2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Assessment summary

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (Schedule 1).

Result name

Description

Satisfied Requirements

When you meet the learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard, for units which are marked as either Satisfied requirements or Failed requirements. Reports must be submitted to canvas and receive a pass mark or higher to satisfy requirements. 

Failed Requirements

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes to a satisfactory standard, for units which are marked as either Satisfied requirements or Failed requirements. If a report is not submitted or receives a fail mark the student will fail requirements and must redo the placement, report and/or unit of study. 

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
- The unit will consist of up to 10 days of placement within the unit category. Students must organise their own placements and seek approval using the SONIA program. Students must attend the placement and engage in professional conduct. Placement (70 hr) LO1 LO6
Students must write a report which critically evaluates the business, the placements and reflects on career path. Individual study (10 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. Apply the range of interpersonal skills necessary to establish a professional rapport with potential employers, clients and co-workers
  • LO2. Write a professional consultant style report specific to workplace enterprises
  • LO3. Reflect on experiences that may inform your choice of career
  • LO4. Critically evaluate the relevant industry or business and key issues
  • LO5. Apply learnings from coursework to design or develop solutions to key issues
  • LO6. Actively engage in work integrated learning experiences

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No changes have been made since this unit was last offered.

Work, health and safety

Q-fever vaccination and completion of the Canvas module “Zoonosis Awareness” is compulsory.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.