Faculty of Science and Engineering School of Science

Science Professional Practice 200 Semester 1, 2013

Unit study package number: Mode of study: 314520 Internal This unit contains a fieldwork component (see Learning Activities below for details). Find out more at the fieldwork education website: (fieldworkeducation.curtin.edu.au ) Credit value: Pre-requisite units: Co-requisite units: Anti-requisite units: Additional Requirements: Result type: Approved incidental fees: 25 credit points Nil Nil Nil Nil Grade / Mark Information about approved incidental fees can be obtained from our website. Visit fees.curtin.edu.au/incidental_fees.cfm for details. 2 hr workshop per week ((1,2,3,6,7,9) Day / Time: Thursday 3 5 pm Venue: 402.218 Unit Coordinator: Name: Phone: Email: Building : Room: Consultation times: Teaching Staff: Name: Phone: Email: Building : Room: Consultation times: Jeremy Lu 9266 3070 J.lu@curtin.edu.au 314:121 Email appointment Julian Harris 9266 7802 J.Harris@curtin.edu.au 303 Level 2 8 am 5 pm, Monday Friday (with appointment) or email anytime

Tuition pattern summary:2hrs workshop per week (1,2,3,6,7,9)

Scheduled times and Venues:

314520 Science Professional Practice 200 Date published This unit is managed by the School of Science Word Page 1 of 10 CRICOS Provider Code WA 00301J, NSW 02637B

Faculty of Science and Engineering School of Science

Learning Management System: FLECS - Blackboard (oasis.curtin.edu.au)

314520 Science Professional Practice 200 Date published This unit is managed by the School of Science Page 2 of 10 CRICOS Provider Code WA 00301J, NSW 02637B

Acknowledgement of Country
We respectfully acknowledge the Indigenous Elders, custodians, their descendants and kin of this land past and present.

Introduction
Welcome to Science Professional Practice 200, an elective unit available to second and third year students enrolled in the School of Science. This work experience unit has been designed to assist you in gaining invaluable industry experience, extend networks, develop a career identity and assist with personal and career development.

Syllabus
Students will undertake a discipline specific work placement in industry, business or with an appropriate government agency. Students will be expected to work full-time to the equivalent of 2 weeks as a minimum or as determined by the relevant department and industry. In addition to the development of discipline specific skills, knowledge in the workplace, and the development of industry links, students will also participate in a series of career development experiences to address the minimum competencies of the Australian Blueprint for Career Development, and to develop professional and employability skills such as goal setting, resume and cover letter techniques, job search techniques, interview preparation, assessment of personal goals, self-reflection techniques, life-long learning and professional communication

Unit Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit students can:

Graduate Attributes addressed:

1. Apply discipline specific and technical skills to solve scientific problems

in a professional environment.

2. Demonstrate professional behaviour and apply discipline specific skills

and knowledge in an ethical manner in a professional environment.

3. Use the STAR technique to critically reflect on and evaluate

professional workplace experiences.

4. Apply career building skills to plan for career development and

progression in a scientific field.

5. Collect, prepare and professionally communicate employment, career

and recruitment relevant information.

Curtins Graduate Attributes

Apply discipline knowledge Communication skills Thinking skills
(use analytical skills to solve problems)

Information skills
(confidence to investigate new ideas)

Technology skills

Learning how to learn

(apply principles learnt to new situations)

(confidence to tackle unfamiliar problems)

International perspective
(value the perspectives of others)

Cultural understanding
(value the perspectives of others)

Professional skills
(work independently and as a team) (plan own work)

Find out more about Curtins Graduate attributes at the Office of Teaching & Learning website: otl.curtin.edu.au
______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Learning Activities
Workshops Workshops will be held in weeks (1,2,3,6,7,9). The purpose of these sessions is to guide students studying in the field of science in the general requirements of applying for employment, prepare them for employment and suggest ways in which to think about their career development. Fieldwork Students are required to complete a minimum of 10 days (75 hrs) work experience at a work place that is relevant to their area of study. The duration (ie >75 hrs) and format in which the work placement is completed (eg one block, once per day for 10 weeks etc) is up to the employer and student. Fieldwork can be completed in semester 1 or 2. Be aware that different workplaces will have varying requirements that you will need to adhere to (eg police clearance, inductions etc). Placement should be sought by the student using information and knowledge gained from the workshops. Field work will provide industry experience, industry contacts and support career development. While on placement you will be covered by the universitys insurance policy. Once your application for work placement has been accepted by the employer, you and your employer must log onto Careers Connect and complete the insurance forms (there are separate forms for you and the employer). Assessments Assessments also reinforce understanding through application and will demonstrate the level of theory comprehension and skills acquired.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Referencing style Students should use the APA referencing style when preparing assignments. More information can be found on this style from the Library web site: library.curtin.edu.au/research_and_information_skills/referencing
______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Learning Resources
Recommended Texts You do not have to purchase the following textbooks but you may like to refer to them. Pre-readings 1. http://unilife.curtin.edu.au/careers/ResumeCover.htm 2. http://unilife.curtin.edu.au/careers/job_search_strategies.htm 3. http://unilife.curtin.edu.au/careers/gaining_experience.htm

4. http://unilife.curtin.edu.au/careers/interviews.htm 5. fieldworkeducation.curtin.edu.au )
Online Resources The BlackBoard site for this unit contains, and will be regularly updated with, information useful to SPP200. The use of the Discussion Board to address queries and/or concerns is encouraged.
______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Assessment
Assessment Schedule

Task 1. Resume and cover letter. 2. Company/employer research report 3. Reflection report 4. Video presentation
*

Value (%) Pass / Fail 40 50 10

Date due Week 3 * * *

Unit Learning Outcome(s) assessed 1, 2 1,2,5 3,4,5 1, 2, 3, 5

Dependant on timing of work placement - to be discussed with unit co-ordinator once your placement has been finalised.

Detailed information on assessment tasks All assessments should be submitted online through the Grade Centre.

1. Resume and cover letter (pre-placement)

Students are to submit a resume and cover letter applying to a company for work experience. Multiple attempts are permitted. See assessment rubric 1 for guidance on required content and structure. This must be submitted by week 3. The cover letter and resume can be used to apply for a work experience placement.

2. Company / employer research report

Students are to; Part A: Research, and reflect on, the company with respect to the experience of the graduate (introduction to the company eg history, purpose etc); what appears to be the companys expectations of new graduates? What do they want in graduates? What are their recruitment, induction and transition processes etc?) Part B: Research the companys mission and values and reflect on how these may align with their own values with regards to employment and/or career

progression within the company. How can you contribute to the missions and goals of the company? Part C. Complete a risk assessment and proposed work plan which you think will help you achieve your learning outcomes.

This report (1500 2000 words) should be submitted before the completion of work placement. See assessment rubric 3 for guidance on required content and structure.

3. Reflection report (during and after placement)

Students are to; Reflect on your placement and skill development using the SAO / STAR approach and ABCD competencies Include in your reflection a response to the brief evaluation of your performance by their employer. Provide appropriate workplace evidence of activities you performed.

The above should be submitted in the form of a report (1500 2000 words) no later than 2 weeks after the completion of work placement. See assessment rubric 2 for guidance on required content and structure. It is recommended that during your placement that you make a minimum of 2 contacts with either your unit controller, teaching staff or academic contact to get feedback and assistance.

4. Video presentation
A 10-15 min video presentation incorporating both the research and reflection reports is to be prepared. You may choose to do this a live stream or pre-recorded presentation using an online presentation tool of your choice. This should be completed no later than 3 weeks after the completion of work placement. Academic contracts and industry representatives may be invited to view this presentation. See assessment rubric 4 for guidance on required content and structure.

______________________________________________________________________________________________________

Fair assessment through moderation Moderation describes a quality assurance process to ensure that assessments are appropriate to the learning outcomes, and that student work is evaluated consistently by assessors. Minimum standards for the moderation of assessment are described in the Assessment Manual, available from policies.curtin.edu.au/policies/teachingandlearning.cfm

Late Assessment Policy This ensures that the requirements for submission of assignments and other work to be assessed are fair, transparent, equitable, and that penalties are consistently applied. 1. All assessments which students are required to submit will have a due date and time specified on the Unit Outline. 2. Accepting late submission of assignments or other work will be determined by the unit coordinator or Head of School (or nominee) and will be specified on the Unit Outline. 3. If late submission of assignments or other work is not accepted, students will receive a penalty of 100% after the due date and time ie a zero mark for the late assessment. 4. If late submission of assignments or other work is accepted, students will be penalised by ten percent per calendar day for a late assessment submission (eg a mark equivalent to 10% of the total allocated for the assessment will be deducted from the marked value for every day that the assessment is late). This means that an assignment worth 20 will have two marks deducted per calendar day late. Hence if it was handed in three calendar days late and marked as 12/20, the student would receive 6/20. An assessment more than seven calendar days overdue will not be marked. Work submitted after this time (due date plus seven days) may result in a Fail Incomplete (F-IN) grade being awarded for the unit.

Assessment Extension A student must apply for an Assessment Extension on the form prescribed by the Academic Registrar which can be found at: http://students.curtin.edu.au/administration/documents/Application_for_Assessment_Extensio nEditable.pdf. The student will be expected to lodge the form with the unit coordinator before the assessment date/time or due date/time. An application may be accepted up to five working days after the date or due date of the assessment task where the student is able to provide an acceptable explanation as to why he or she was not able to submit the application prior to the assessment date. An application for an Assessment Extension will not be accepted after the date of the Board of Examiners meeting.

Pass requirements An overall grade of 50% is required for successful completion of this unit.

Plagiarism Plagiarism occurs when work or property of another person is presented as one's own, without appropriate acknowledgement or referencing. Plagiarism is a serious offence. For more information refer to the Academic Integrity at Curtin: Student Guidelines for Avoiding Plagiarism available online at academicintegrity.curtin.edu.au Plagiarism Monitoring Work submitted will be evaluated for plagiarism. This evaluation may include the use of systems such as Turnitin. For further information see http://academicintegrity.curtin.edu.au/students/turnitin.cfm.

Additional information
Enrolment: It is your responsibility to ensure that your enrolment is correct - you can check your enrolment through the eStudent option on OASIS, where you can also print an Enrolment Advice. Supplementary/Deferred Exams: Supplementary assessment may be granted by the School of Science. Notification to students will be made after the School of Science Board of Examiners meeting via the Official Communications Channel (OCC) in OASIS. It is the students responsibility to check their OASIS account on a weekly basis for official Curtin correspondence. If your results show that you have been awarded a supplementary assessment you should immediately check your OASIS email for details.

Student Rights and Responsibilities

It is the responsibility of every student to be aware of all relevant legislation and policies and procedures relating to his or her rights and responsibilities as a student. These include:

the Student Charter the Universitys Guiding Ethical Principles the Universitys policy and statements on plagiarism and academic integrity copyright principles and responsibilities the Universitys policies on appropriate use of software and computer facilities Information on all these things is available through the Universitys Student Rights and Responsibilities website at: students.curtin.edu.au/rights. Student appeals: http://students.curtin.edu.au/rights/appeals/index.cfm

Recent unit changes

We welcome feedback as one way to keep improving this unit. Students are encouraged to give unit feedback through eVALUate, Curtins online student feedback system (see http://evaluate.curtin.edu.au/info/index.cfm). SPP 200 is a new unit so feedback (comments and suggestions) will be particularly useful for future development of this unit.

http://evaluate.curtin.edu.au/info/dates.cfm

Program calendar
Week Orientation 1. 2. Begin Date
29 July 5 Aug

Lecture/ Seminar

Prereadings

Tutorial/Other

Assessment Due

Personal Development Resume and Cover Letters Applying for work experience Selection Criteria 1 Careers Fair 11th Aug Resume/Cover Letter

12 Aug

3.

19 Aug

2,3

4. 5. 6. 7 9. 10. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14 15. 16. 17

26 Aug 2 Sept 9 Sept 16 Sept

Tuition Free Week Interviews Company research and reflection reports Career development Tuition Free Week W.P. Contact point 1 W.P W.P W.P Contact point 2 Study Week N/A N/A W.P 4 5

23 Sept 30 Sept 7 Oct 14 Oct 21 Oct 28 Oct 4 Nov 11 Nov 18 Nov 25 Nov