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Unit outline_

AVBS4000: Professional Development

Semester 2, 2024 [Professional practice] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

A key component of The AVBS degree is the Placement program. This is a workplace-based program requiring a minimum of 40 days of placement to be completed by the end of the third year (6th semester) of your degree. At least 15 days must be completed On-Farm. The remaining days are undertaken in a range of other approved work environments. The aim of the program is to encourage students to gain experience in a wide range of animal related industries and introduce them to the many career options available to them after graduation. We encourage students to apply their skills and knowledge in a professional environment, while also developing a real-world view of animal industries.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
ANSC3106 AND AVBS2011 AND AVBS2012 AND AVBS2013 AND AVBS2014
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
AVBS3000
Assumed knowledge
? 

Professional Placements Program - they should have undertaken 40 days of industry placements (during years 1-3) prior to enrolling in this UoS. Reporting is captured via SONIA and Canvas across their degree

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 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Assignment hurdle task Professional experience reports
Reports to integrate experiences gained through placements. Submitted y 1-3
50% Week -01
Due date: 26 Aug 2024 at 23:59
max 2000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO7 LO8
Attendance hurdle task Seminar 1
Attendance
0% Week 02
Due date: 06 Aug 2024 at 14:00
1h
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Attendance hurdle task Seminar 2
Attendance
0% Week 04
Due date: 20 Aug 2024 at 14:00
1h
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Assignment CV and cover letter
prepare a professional cover letter and CV for an animal science job
10% Week 04
Due date: 23 Aug 2024 at 23:59
2 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO6 LO8
Attendance hurdle task Seminar 3
Attendance
0% Week 06
Due date: 03 Sep 2024 at 14:00
1h
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Small continuous assessment Case study
Case study related to industry seminar
10% Week 06
Due date: 03 Sep 2024 at 16:00
1 page
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO5 LO3 LO2
Attendance hurdle task Seminar 4
Attendance
0% Week 10
Due date: 08 Oct 2024 at 14:00
1h
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Presentation Portfolio pitch
Reflection on placements and career path. in-class
10% Week 10
Due date: 08 Oct 2024 at 14:00
5 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO4 LO8 LO5
Attendance hurdle task Seminar 5
Attendance
0% Week 12
Due date: 22 Oct 2024 at 14:00
1h
Outcomes assessed: LO1
Presentation Interactive oral assessment
interactive oral assessment
20% Week 12
Due date: 22 Oct 2024 at 16:00
1h
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO8 LO5 LO4 LO3
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Professional Experience reports for placements should be submitted before commencement of this unit of study and make up 50% of the final grade.  These are a hurdle requirement and students may fail the unit if the reports are not completed. 

Assessments:

1. CV writing activity 10% - students will prepare a professional CV and cover letter for a currently advertised animal science position advertised. 3 pages due week 4

2. Case Study 10% due week 6 - students will participate in an in class activity related to the guest seminar and submit at the end of the class

3. Portfolio pitch 10% due week 10 - students will present (5min) a reflective summary of their placement activities

4. Interactive oral assessment 20% week 12 - students will participate in an in-class assessment relating to the career seminars, professional development and reflection. A mock - interview style will be used to increase job-readiness. 

 

Assessment criteria

See Placements Canvas Site for the rubric.

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

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

This work shows excellent understanding of the topic and clear evidence of independent
critical thought. It may contain blemishes, but these are compensated for by signs of high
intellectual quality, especially clear, well-organised and forceful argument; reading and
understanding beyond the set literature; and originality of approach.

Distinction

75 - 84

This work shows a very good understanding of the relevant content; the essay reflects
independent thought; significantly it attempts to develop evaluative and critical arguments.
Such arguments may be second-hand and/or they may be flawed, but a serious and
sustained attempt at criticism has been made.

Credit

65 - 74

This work shows a clear understanding of the relevant material; it contains only small gaps
or minor errors; reading has obviously gone beyond lecture material; there are signs of
independent thought, and some attempt is made to evaluate arguments or develop critical
arguments.

Pass

50 - 64

This work shows evidence of a satisfactory level of understanding of the relevant material; it
may contain gaps, errors or other kinds of blemishes, but it is obvious that the student has
read and digested material from lectures and/or set literature. The essay, however, is largely
derivative – it simply reports the views of others - and little or no criticism or evaluation of
arguments is attempted.

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard. There may be a significant amount of ‘parroting’ of material from lectures or tutorials or set
reading, but this work shows little or no evidence of satisfactory understanding of the
relevant content; it may contain either serious errors or major gaps in what is considered
essential information.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

5% per day late for submitted work.

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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes

Attendance and class requirements

Students are expected to participate in at least 80% of the timetabled activities for all units of study in their degree, unless granted an exemption by the Associate Dean.  To meet the learning outcomes of this Unit of Study, students are required to attend a minimum of 4 of the seminars as defined in the unit of study outline. A student may fail this unit of study where inadequate attendance results in learning outcomes not being met. Attendance will be registered using QR codes and there will be in-class assessments. 

 

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. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

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. Experience and Evaluate the major and emerging animal industries first-hand
  • LO2. ​Understand and evaluate the production, development, finance, marketing, research and management of domestic, native and exotic animals and animal products across a range of environments and managerial systems
  • LO3. ​Analyse the current issues associated with animal science in a global context
  • LO4. Apply the range of interpersonal skills necessary to establish a professional rapport with clients, colleagues and academics​
  • LO5. ​Synthesise the learnings from your degree to develop particular interests that may inform your choice of career
  • LO6. Develop and practise skills in CV writing and job interview techniques
  • LO7. Execute skills in professional consultant-style report writing.​
  • LO8. ​Critically reflect on the pivotal relationships between your degree, the rural environment, your professional placements, and your personal beliefs and values and those of your peers, community and society.

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.

updated assessments and attendance requirements based on semester 1 feedback

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.