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. Risk assessments are regularly conducted for units that require the completion of compulsory learning activities that may expose students to zoonotic diseases. These assessments aim to identify appropriate risk mitigation controls, such as vaccination against vaccine- preventable zoonoses. Vaccination against Q fever (Coxiella burnetii) is an inherent requirement for students enrolling in this unit of study. Students must be vaccinated against Q fever before commencing the unit or no later than week one of the enrolled teaching session. Q fever vaccination is only available in Australia with the vaccination process taking three weeks to complete. Students must also submit a Q fever Vaccination Declaration upon enrolment. Students who fail to receive vaccination by the specified deadline and/or submit a Q fever Vaccination Declaration are precluded from practical learning activities and will not be able to satisfactorily complete relevant units of study and/or progress in their course more generally. Please refer to the University’s website https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/q-fever-vaccinations.html for more information on student vaccinations.