PROF 7503 - Industry Placement

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2017

An industry managed work experience placement provides students with the opportunity to experience the workplace first hand. Assessment will be based on demonstrating graduate attributes, and the students' ability to link theoretical knowledge and practical experience, and may include a reflective journal, internship research and review report, presentation, and industry supervisor assessment. Students must seek approval from the Internships Team for a formal and structured work placement, which is relevant to their studies before undertaking the placement, including participation in pre-placement activities.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code PROF 7503
    Course Industry Placement
    Coordinating Unit Professions Office
    Term Semester 2
    Level Postgraduate Coursework
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y
    Prerequisites Credit standard in at least 12 units. Students must have completed the compulsory ?Job Readiness? workshop prior to applying for this course.
    Restrictions Students may only complete a maximum of 6 units from the experiential learning suite of courses throughout the duration of their program
    Quota Subject to availability of suitable sponsors. Placements will be offered to students on academic merit and work experience
    Course Description An industry managed work experience placement provides students with the opportunity to experience the workplace first hand.
    Assessment will be based on demonstrating graduate attributes, and the students' ability to link theoretical knowledge and practical experience, and may include a reflective journal, internship research and review report, presentation, and industry supervisor assessment.
    Students must seek approval from the Internships Team for a formal and structured work placement, which is relevant to their studies before undertaking the placement, including participation in pre-placement activities.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Miss Melissa Connor

    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

    http://www.adelaide.edu.au/professions/internships/students/

    Students are expected to be present in the nominated workplace for a minimum of the equivalent of 20 business days. This may take place over a duration that is convenient to the organisation and the student involved (e.g. 2 days per week over 10 weeks or 4 weeks full-time).
  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes

    On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

    1. Identify skills and capabilities that intersect effectively with the needs of industry.
    2. Apply and practice good communication skills in a variety of professional and/or cultural contexts.
    3. Reflect and evaluate on experiences that might lead to future employment.
    4. Use communication and presentation skills to provide briefs, reports and presentations in line with current professional standards.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Deep discipline knowledge
    • informed and infused by cutting edge research, scaffolded throughout their program of studies
    • acquired from personal interaction with research active educators, from year 1
    • accredited or validated against national or international standards (for relevant programs)
    1,2
    Critical thinking and problem solving
    • steeped in research methods and rigor
    • based on empirical evidence and the scientific approach to knowledge development
    • demonstrated through appropriate and relevant assessment
    1,3
    Teamwork and communication skills
    • developed from, with, and via the SGDE
    • honed through assessment and practice throughout the program of studies
    • encouraged and valued in all aspects of learning
    2,4
    Career and leadership readiness
    • technology savvy
    • professional and, where relevant, fully accredited
    • forward thinking and well informed
    • tested and validated by work based experiences
    1,3,4
    Intercultural and ethical competency
    • adept at operating in other cultures
    • comfortable with different nationalities and social contexts
    • able to determine and contribute to desirable social outcomes
    • demonstrated by study abroad or with an understanding of indigenous knowledges
    2,4
    Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
    • a capacity for self-reflection and a willingness to engage in self-appraisal
    • open to objective and constructive feedback from supervisors and peers
    • able to negotiate difficult social situations, defuse conflict and engage positively in purposeful debate
    1,2,3
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources
    Any learning resources required will be provided by the organisation or recommended by the academic supervisor.

    http://www.adelaide.edu.au/professions/internships/downloads/student-faqs-2014.pdf

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes
    This course is based on the principles of experiential learning and requires students to be placed in a business environment with workplace supervision and mentoring. Students will also be expected to meet one-on-one with an academic supervisor to discuss the nature of their academic project for assessment.
    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    The University expects full-time students (i.e. those taking 12 units per semester) to devote a total of 48 hours per week to their studies. This means that you are expected to commit approximately 12 hours per week for a three-unit course (156 hours per course).
    Although for this course some time will be spent in the workplace environment, there is still an expectation for the students to be completing individual study and meeting with the academic supervisor outside of this.
    Learning Activities Summary
    As well as regularly attending the workplace, students are expected to have contact with the academic supervisor on at least three occasions during the placement (either via email, Skype or other).

    An initial meeting between the student and academic supervisor should occur to set expectations and discuss broadly the expectations applicable for the student.

    The academic staff member will be available throughout the duration of the workplacement to advise or assist you with any content-related issues you face in the workplace.
    Specific Course Requirements
    Students need to be working in a formal and structured industry managed work experience program, with a registered organisation. Approval must have been granted from the Faculty of Professions for this work placement to be counted as experiential learning towards their degree.

    Should the host organisation be dissatisfied with the students’ performance this will be addressed by the Host and the Faculty giving the student a chance to rectify their behaviour. Should the unsatisfactory performance continue and The Host decides to terminate the placement before the end date, then the student will fail the elective.
  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary
    Assessment Task Due Date Weighting Length Learning Outcomes
    Assessment 1 – Reflection Journal TBA 20% 1,500 words 1,3
    Assessment 2 – Presentation TBA 30% 1 - 4
    Assessment 3 – Report End of Placement 50% 5,000 words 1,3,4
    Total 100%

    All pieces of assessment are individual. Any modifications to assessment dates should be negotiated directly with the academic supervisor.

    Assessment Related Requirements
    • Students must complete the program to the satisfaction of their host organisation as well as an academic supervisor to be eligible to pass this course, otherwise it will result in a fail.
    • All assignments are to be lodged prior to the due date and time. Any modifications to assessment dates should be negotiated directly with the academic supervisor. A late assignment where no extension has been granted will be penalised by a reduction of 5% of the mark given for each day, or part of a day, that it is late.
    • Extensions to the due date of individual assessment may be granted under special circumstances. Students applying for an extension based on medical reasons must visit their medical practitioner, with that approved University form, and have the medical practitioner complete it. A normal doctor's certificate will not be accepted.
    • Legible hand-writing and the quality of English expression are considered to be integral parts of the assessment process.
    Assessment Detail
    Assessment 1 – Reflection Journal – 20%
    Due Date:  TBA (approximate length – 1,500 words in total)

    You are required to make two submissions to a logbook or blog through the MyUni portal (if possible), or via email submission. The reflective Journal will document the activities you have undertaken during the week, as well as key insights and reflections that you have on the benefits and value of the Industry Placement. Discuss critical issues or tasks that you face and how you are going about responding to those. 
    1. How do your skills intersect with the needs of the industry you will enter as a professional?
    2. Analyse the forms and range of communications used in your host organisation.

    Content you use might include (if approved by your host organisation):
    Internal Communications from within the organisation
    Photos, videos and screenshots of your “day to day”
    Simple “diarising” of your week
    Modelling and analysis, theories or formulas you are utilising
    This Reflective Journal should reflect progress towards learning outcomes 1 and 3.

    Assessment 2 – Presentation – 30%
    Due Date: TBA 
    Your presentation will be a 6 minute, succinct verbal presentation of thier research project accompanied by a set of power point slides delivered to your supervisor, other students and Placement supervisor where possible.
    This journal should reflect progress towards learning outcomes 1, 2, 3, 4.

    Assessment 3 - Report - 50%
    Due Date: End of Placment (approximate length - 5,000 words in total)


    All students are required to complete a 5,000 word report (or equivalent) that connects academic theory to the activities undertaken in the Industry Placement. It is the intention of this report, that the student reviews activities undertaken within the Placement, assesses these activities with relevant academic theory, and provides recommendations to the organisation based on this review. 

    The experience of each student will be different because of the variety of organisations we work with and the variety of roles undertaken by the student. It is important, therefore, that the project is discussed and clearly scoped in conjunction with your Academic Supervisor.

    It is expected that a range of academic references will be used to provide a theoretical underpinning to activities that are conducted in the Placement.

    The report should reflect progress towards learning outcomes 1, 3, 4.

    Below are the components that will be used to assess the project:
    Task Components & Value
    Address Academic Outcomes Ensure you meet the academic outcomes, as discussed and approved by your academic supervisor
    Relevance to your Studies Apply relevant academic theory to your internship project / organisation. Identify and critique the organisation's activities in terms of the academic theory and make recommendations where relevant.
    Academic Research and Referencing Undertake appropriate research, and develop a Literature Review on your topic of interest. Use this ‘new’ knowledge you have gained to show how the organisation could improve its operations. Make reference to relevant theory in the report.
    Management Recommendations Given your understanding of the industry in which your organisation operates, think strategically to make recommendations on how the organisation can improve, using the knowledge you have gained in both your time there AND from your Literature Review.
    Professional Report Writing Write the report in an appropriate business style.
    Reflection on your career development skills Critical evaluation of your career readiness skills and areas you need to develop.
    Submission
    Submission of Assignments
    • Please retain a copy of all assignments submitted.
    • All assignments must be attached to an Assignment Cover Sheet which must be signed and dated by all group members before submission. Markers can refuse to accept assignments which do not have a signed acknowledgement of the University’s Policy on Plagiarism:
    www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/230/.

    It is the students’ responsibility to ensure that copies of assignments have been received by the academic supervisor.

    Assignment Guidelines including Referencing Details

    Late Assignment Submission

    Students are expected to submit their work by the due date to maintain a fair and equitable system. Extensions will generally only be given for medical or other serious reasons. All requests for extensions must be emailed to the lecturer in charge of the course before the due date. Each request will be assessed on its merits. A late assignment (without prior arrangement) will be penalised by a 5% mark reduction for each day that it is late.

    Return of Assignments

    Lecturers aim to mark and return assignments to students within two (2) weeks of the due date with written feedback. Students are responsible for collecting their marked assignments from their academic supervisor.
    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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