Outline

Overview

The Business Practicum offers students an opportunity to interact with a sponsor organisation (e.g., corporate, SME, NFP, government) while working on a project provided by it that requires a specific outcome by the end of the semester. The project examines the sponsor's current activities, challenges and future aspirations. While undertaking the unit, participants research the issues presented by the project and determine its scope and key deliverables in consultation with the sponsor. This process enables students to apply theoretical knowledge learned in class, where it is useful, and critically analyse data found during research to provide possible solutions to the problems identified. The final stage is communicating the key outcomes via a written report to the sponsor at the end of the project. Additionally, for the duration of the project, students are expected to reflect on how they have developed as an individual and as part of a team as a means of developing a professional identity that highlights their distinctive self and to consider their own personal employment strategies while building professional networks.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Business School
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	Completion of at least 48 credit points
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	A sound understanding of business and strong written and oral communication skills.
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Geoffrey Harrison, geoffrey.harrison@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Assignment	Project proposal Proposal	15%	Week 03 Due date: 05 Apr 2020 at 23:00 Closing date: 19 Apr 2020	1000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Mid-way reflection Reflective essay	25%	Week 08 Due date: 03 May 2020 at 15:11 Closing date: 17 May 2020	1200 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Report- key findings Report	30%	Week 12 Due date: 07 Jun 2020 at 23:00 Closing date: 21 Jun 2020	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Digital presentation Digital presentation	30%	Week 13 Due date: 10 Jun 2020 at 23:00 Closing date: 10 Jun 2020	5 minutes
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Project proposal: This assessment serves 2 purposes. First, the creation of a performance objectives document which will include a Situation, Task, Action, Result (STAR) statement. You should reflect on your past experience to inform possible future expectations about this experience. This will be used in later assessments. Second, to determine the scope and deliverables of the project, negotiated between yourself and your colleagues, based on the scope negotiated with the sponsor.
Mid-way reflection: This assessment builds on assessment 1 and is an individual reflection on the progress of the project so far. You will reflect on: how your role within the group was allocated, whether the group members are delivering their contribution on time and with quality, and if the project progressing as you anticipated, and if not, why. You will critically reflect on how you have used your academic learning (models etc) during the project. Which models? If you haven't drawn on your academic learning for this project what is the reason?
Digital presentation: You will deliver a digital presentation focussing on what you consider to be your most valuable individual contribution to the project; the group dynamic, including whether the team is functioning professionally, and the usefulness of your academic training to this project so far from your perspective. You will provide examples.
Report - key findings: The report should focus on the research methodology used by your group, explain how the findings were determined, the conclusions drawn and the recommendations to the sponsor. Each member of the group must contribute equally to the document. The report is to be written as a business document - this process will be reviewed in class. There will be a presentation of the findings to the sponsor in week 13.

All assessments are listed as HURDLE TASK which means you must complete the assessments in order to pass the unit. Students who fail to complete any of these assessments, even when their aggregate mark for the entire unit of study is above 50%, will be given a Fail grade for this unit. As a result, a student's academic transcript will show a Fail grade and the actual mark achieved if the final mark of the unit is between 0-49 and a Fail grade and a capped moderated mark of 49 for all other final marks.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (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	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

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.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction; project proposal assessment review; research methods (utilising the library data bases)	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 02	Conduct initial research on projects accessing public information; understand the context of the questions being asked by the sponsor - who are they, what do they need, how do we approach it?	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 03	Problem identification and solution generation methods; continue industry research looking at international and domestic data prior to sponsor meeting in week 4	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 04	Sponsor briefing on campus; assess sponsor needs (analyse the brief); project design - create preliminary timeline for deliverables	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 05	Review data collected to date and with reference to sponsor briefing; reflect on decision making process for retention or disposal of data (this can relate to the mid-way report); examine data and analyse information, using appropriate business models inappropriate	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 06	Review information received to retain and discard; reflect on decision making process for retention; analyse information, using appropriate business models	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 07	Midway reflection assessment review (feed forward); continue data analysis and begin collation to answer the questions set by the sponsor	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 08	Review research, data collection and analysis progress; identify any trends or preliminary findings	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 09	Review research, data collection and analysis progress; identify any trends or preliminary findings	Block teaching (2 hr)
Week 10	Review research, data collection and analysis progress; identify any trends or preliminary findings; create written and oral narratives for final assessment (report and presentation)	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 11	Digital presentation assessment review (feed forward); finalise results, findings and recommendations drawn from research; create draft report and key points for presentation of findings to sponsor	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 12	Final report assessment review including business writing tips	Workshop (2 hr)
Week 13	Deliver final report and presentation	Workshop (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Lecture recordings: All lectures and seminars are recorded and will be available on Canvas for student use. Please note the Business School does not own the system and cannot guarantee that the system will operate or that every class will be recorded. Students should ensure they attend and participate in all classes.
Attendance: 90% attendance required per Business School policy.

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.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. apply and illustrate the knowledge and skills developed in business studies within a specific organisational setting
LO2. demonstrate contextually relevant written and oral communication skills
LO3. identify, research, analyse and evaluate issues facing modern organisations operating in a business environment; apply appropriate models and propose practicable recommendations.

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

The unit will have a higher digital component this semester.

Additional information

More information can be found on Canvas.

Business School Policies

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

BUSS6104: Business Practicum

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect