Course Title: Work Experience Practicum

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Work Experience Practicum

Credit Points: 36.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BIOL2400

City Campus

Postgraduate

135H Applied Sciences

Workplace

Sem 1 2015,
Sem 2 2015,
Sem 1 2016,
Sem 2 2016

BIOL2400

City Campus

Postgraduate

171H School of Science

Workplace

Sem 1 2017,
Sem 2 2017,
Sem 1 2018,
Sem 2 2018,
Sem 1 2019,
Sem 2 2019

Flexible Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

BIOL2400

City Campus

Postgraduate

171H School of Science

Workplace

PGRDFx2019 (ZZZZ)

BIOL2400

City Campus

Postgraduate

171H School of Science

Workplace

PGRDFx2020 (ZZZZ)

Course Coordinator: Prue Bramwell

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 7128

Course Coordinator Email: prue.bramwell@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 223.01.48 (Bundoora campus)

Course Coordinator Availability: Please email for appointment


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Selection is based on academic results and the availability of places, which may be limited.

The course is available to students who are in their final semester with an average grade of DISTINCTION (70+) or higher (unless you have exceptional results).

 PermissionisrequiredfromtheCourseLeaderbeforeenrollinginthiscourse.

 


Course Description

This is a Work Integrated Learning (WIL) course. This course has a strong vocational focus. It provides you with the opportunity to learn skills and practices in the workplace relating to a field of study in your Masters of Biotechnology and Master of Food Science & Technology programs.


 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

The course addresses the following Program Learning Outcomes (PLO) at AQF level 9:
  

PLO 1. Understanding Science

  • 1.1 You will demonstrate an advanced understanding of biological sciences by articulating the methods of science, explaining why current biological knowledge is both contestable and testable through further inquiry, and explaining the role and relevance of biotechnology in society.
  • 1.2 You will have an understanding of recent developments in a specialised area of biotechnology. You will develop an in-depth knowledge of the field complemented with the technical capability.
     

PLO 2. Advanced knowledge and skills to critically analyse and solve problems in biotechnology

  • 2.1 You will demonstrate cognitive skills in mastery of advanced theoretical knowledge in biotechnology and apply this knowledge to solve complex problems in existing and new areas of your work place. These skills will develop your research capability by participating in problem-based work placement tasks and problem-solving, complemented by appropriate literature research.
     

PLO3. Application of knowledge and skills

  • 3.1 You will critically analyse and solve problems in biotechnology
  • 3.2 You will demonstrate creativity, initiative and a high level of autonomy in professional practice
     

PLO 4. Communication

  • 4.1 You will be able to effectively communicate concepts of biotechnology to specialist and non-specialist audiences, using a variety of presentation modes. In this course you will develop communication skills in working groups and with peers in your placement, participating in workplace meetings, writing scientific and reflective reports every 2 weeks and presenting scientific material orally to peers.
     

PLO 5. Personal and professional responsibility

  • 5.1 You will be accountable for individual learning and scientific work by being an independent and self-directed learner; working effectively, responsibly, ethically, and safely in an individual or team context; and demonstrating knowledge of the regulatory frameworks and ethical principles relevant to biotechnology in your work place. You will employ professional work practices in learning to consider diagnostic issues such as cost effectiveness, workflow and compliance with regulatory requirements, and sustainable organisational management and quality management and maintaining a high standard of ethics and industry confidentiality

 


On successful completion of this course you will be able to:

 

  1. apply the main methods used in a specific workplace, including technical procedures, record keeping and safe and ethical working practices,
  2. demonstrate an improvement on your technical ability and performance as you gain knowledge and expertise during the placement
  3. critically evaluate the experience, the workplace methods, safety issues and organization of tasks, and write reflective accounts of your activities
  4. demonstrate ability to keep accurate records of work performed and write reports on the tasks performed in the workplace,
  5. demonstrate ability to use information services, e.g. libraries and computer databases and relevant industry codes of practice to find and use information,
  6. demonstrate ability to communicate with relevant groups by written and verbal presentations
  7. solve unfamiliar problems, plan a work program and learn independently
  8. demonstrate ability to communicate and work cooperatively with peers in a work place setting
  9. demonstrate an understanding of the importance of punctuality and reliability in a work place environment
  10. demonstrate ability to Communicate your work experience to an audience in a seminar that is able to show your scientific understanding and personal development at an appropriate level

 

 


Overview of Learning Activities

  1. Writing a resume
  2. Interview experience
  3. Work placement for 45 days in an area of industry related to studies in the Masters in Biotechnology involving knowledge, learning, problem-solving, skill development, ethics, punctuality, occupational health and safety, communication and independence.
  4. Submission of 5 written reports over the placement i.e. every 10 working days, on activities performed and critical evaluation and personal reflection of your performance during these activities.
  5. A 20 minute seminar at or near the conclusion of the placement, on the workplace experience, including an evaluation of methods used, organisation of work and safety issues in the workplace and your personal reflection of the WIL placement.

Total Study Hours

45 days in the work placement and at least 7 hours per report

 

 


Overview of Learning Resources

 There are no prescribed texts for this course. 
 


Overview of Assessment

 

This course has no hurdle requirements.

Assessment task 1 (50%)

You will attend the workplace regularly for the period of placement of 45 days (normally 11.5 weeks of 4 days per week but can be negotiated to9 weeks of 5 days per week depending on other courses at RMIT).

Assessment is based on a report from the workplace supervisor

This assessment task supports CLOs 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 and 9

 

Assessment task 2 (40%)

You will submit 5 scientific and reflective reports related to your WIL over the length of the placement to the RMIT supervisor.

     This assessment task supports CLOs 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7.

 

Assessment task 3 (10%)

You will present a seminar at or near the completion of the work experience.

This assessment task supports CLO 10