Unit rationale, description and aim
Employers, particularly those in the rapidly-developing fields of science, health and medicine, are looking for more than merely technical ability, with attributes such as flexibility, problem-solving and communication skills ('employability skills'), together with the ability to contribute to a workplace, highly valued and considered very important for success.
Even when students have developed these abilities in their biomedical science classes, it can be difficult for them to demonstrate to potential employers how they can put these into practice.
Work-integrated-Learning (WiL) is recognised as a valuable way to help students to adapt and apply the skills and knowledge they have gained during the course to a workplace, and to understand both workplace culture and how workplaces function.
Building on BMSC301 Industry Immersion 1, this unit encourages students to seek workplace experiences that will enable them to further develop the employability skills that they identify as important for their future careers.
The aim of this unit is for students to both develop and gain evidence of the relevant kills in a way to provide to potential employers. while contributing something of value to the organisation, embodying the notion of reciprocity as a means of attaining the common good.
Learning outcomes
To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.
Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.
Explore the graduate capabilities.
Through regular reflection, evaluate how their kno...
Learning Outcome 01
Explain how the work-place skills, practices and a...
Learning Outcome 02
By demonstrating professional behaviour, attitudes...
Learning Outcome 03
Content
Using the knowledge gained in BMSC314, students will meet with the Lecturer-in-Charge to discuss the skills or attributes that they wish to develop in the internship, appropriate learning outcomes for these and suitable organisations where this learning might be possible. Students will find their own internship placement for the LIC to approve, although ACU staff will help where possible. Regular reflection is an essential part of the Internship component as it is the basis for the unit’s assessment, and the learning activities on Canvas will provide practice in reflective writing as well as other aspects of the employability skills. The Faculty of Health Sciences has specific requirements that must be met by all students who undertake any form of placement or professional work experience, so students enrolled in this unit need to be compliant with these before they can begin the internship.
Assessment strategy and rationale
The assessment strategy of this unit supports students’ transition from University to the workforce. Scientific training prepares students for work-place activities that contribute to solving problems in an increasingly complex and connected world.
Students who undertake a placement in a workplace will complete a structured learning journal, enabling them to complete the activities and assessment tasks that promote critical appraisal of and reflection upon their own role in workplace-learning.
Students who do not undertake a workplace placement will build on the learning activities from BMSC301 to research in depth activities associated with potential future career paths, with a focus on the employability skills and attributes appropriate for these roles.
They will research agencies or institutions where such roles may be located and may investigate a project that an agency is undertaking or an issue relevant to the industry.
Students will prepare an in-depth report relevant to their skills, attributes and aspirations that provides value and is appropriate to present to an agency. This investigative process enables students to make connections between potential roles, relevant organisations and contemporary issues. The resulting report will be a useful artefact allowing students to demonstrate relevant skills to potential employers.
Overview of assessments
Standard Assessment Tasks
Assessment Task 1: Hurdle task: This evidence of...
Assessment Task 1: Hurdle task: This evidence of attendance at the workplace and review of the agreed Learning Outcomes is required for completion of the assessment tasks below.
0%
Assessment Task 2: The structured reflective jour...
Assessment Task 2: The structured reflective journal/logbook that is kept during the internship allows students to complete a self- evaluation of how their skills and knowledge have developed during this professional work experience. (S)
50%
Assessment Task 3: A written (or equivalent) rep...
Assessment Task 3: A written (or equivalent) report using the logbook, which evaluates a significant workplace learning experience, provides information to the organisation as well as relating this learning to the student’s future professional practice. (S)
50%
Alternative Assessment Tasks
Assessment Task 1: An investigation into a releva...
Assessment Task 1: An investigation into a relevant issue, project or workplace which investigates a relevant workplace-related project or issue (H)
0%
Assessment Task 2: A written (or equivalent) repo...
Assessment Task 2: A written (or equivalent) report in a format appropriate to present to an organisation based on the investigation, that provides useful information to an organisation or industry (S)
50%
Assessment Task 3: A written (or equivalent) rep...
Assessment Task 3: A written (or equivalent) report using the logbook, which evaluates a significant workplace learning experience, provides information to the organisation as well as relating this learning to the student’s future professional practice. (S)
50%
Learning and teaching strategy and rationale
Students are expected to complete 105 hours, or fifteen (15) days of Professional Work Experience (Internship) for this unit.
This unit is designed to meet the needs of each student in their internship placement and associated processes. Each student, in collaboration with their placement host, will develop learning outcomes for the placement that address the student’s specific learning contract and the way the student expects to contribute to the organisation (for example, by taking over part of a project, or assisting in particular workplace activities).
Supporting materials in this unit are offered in online mode to enable students to access the learning activities at the times best suited to different aspects of the progress of their internship. Students are able to participate in asynchronous interactive learning activities that develop the skills important in undertaking the assessment tasks, including practice in reflective writing which is valued by employers as it is increasingly necessary in many scientific and technical careers. The learning activities encourage interaction and collaboration between students, and between students and staff as they encourage sequential development of relevant skills with expert support.