Life and environmental sciences placements
Placements give you the opportunity to try potential career paths, make valuable contacts and begin to establish your professional networks – all while gaining credit towards your degree.
- There is a minimum requirement of 80 hours for your placement (or two x 40 hour placements). Placements can be up to a maximum of 160 hours.
- The organisation must nominate a supervisor for your placement.
- The hours and days that you participate in the placement are to be negotiated between you and the organisation. You will not be given special consideration for missing essential classes/practical classes/tests or for late assignments etc. due to work placement commitments. Note: SLE225 placements are undertaken during Trimester 3.
- Should your placement be scheduled during trimester, on a part time basis, you must provide information with your application outlining how you will complete the placement hours around your classes.
- You need to check with the organisation about any special requirements for your placement, e.g. police check or WWCC.
- You must have passed STP010 Career Tools for Employability and met the other prerequisite requirements for the relevant unit:
- SLE225 – students must have completed a minimum of 8 credit points and passed STP010.
- SLE301 – students must have completed a minimum of 12 credit points and passed STP010.
- SLE352 – students must have completed a minimum of 12 credit points and passed STP010.
- SLE390 – students must have completed a minimum of 14 credit points and passed STP010.
- The placement must be voluntary.
- The placement must not be observational only.
Academic queries
SLE225 unit chair: Please refer to the University handbook for assessment details.
Apply
View useful information on preparing and sourcing your WIL placement.
To apply, visit InPlace where you will complete an application and attach the industry placement form for your placement. See self-placement student instructions (PDF, 476.7KB) for assistance on how to complete this step.
Note, when submitting your attachments in InPlace, please make sure you click ‘upload’ and then 'save'.
At the end of your placement
You will be emailed an evaluation form when your placement is confirmed. A copy of the evaluation form will also be forwarded to your supervisor for their information. It is your responsibility to print the evaluation form for completion.
- Arrange a time to meet with your supervisor on the final day of your placement. Complete the student column on the evaluation form prior to your meeting.
- Discuss the evaluation at the arranged time with your supervisor, who will complete the relevant columns on the evaluation form.
- Sign and date the evaluation form with your supervisor. The evaluation form is to be uploaded to the relevant drop box on the unit teaching site through DeakinSync by the end of week 10 of trimester.
What happens after my placement?
The placement is a hurdle requirement for your unit, however, within the unit (e.g. SLE225, SLE301, SLE390) there are other assessment requirements, which you will be required to complete during the trimester of offer for your unit.
Now is the time to update your resume/CV with the experience completed and, if you wish, ask your work placement supervisor to be a referee for you in the future.
Further information will be available on the unit teaching site through DeakinSync for the relevant unit. Class attendance during trimester for SLE301 and SLE390 is compulsory.
- SLE301 Student Assessment Requirements (PDF, 84.9 KB)
- SLE301 Information Session Slides (PDF, 178.2KB)
- SLE301 Information Session Presentation
Academic queries
SLE301 unit chair: Please refer to the University handbook for assessment details.
Apply
Please refer to preparing and sourcing your WIL placement for useful information.
To apply, visit InPlace where you will complete an application and attach the agreement and the industry placement form for your placement. See self-placement student instructions (PDF, 476.7KB) for assistance on how to complete this step.
Important information about Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (DGLO)
You will need to ensure you complete the relevant fields regarding the placement description and the DGLO 1-8 fields in your InPlace application.
It is expected that your placement will help to enhance your capabilities in all 8 DGLOs. You must provide a summary (approximately 3–4 sentences or bullet points for each) as to how your placement will address each DGLO.
If your placement is unlikely to allow you to develop any one of the DGLOs, then you must explain why the specific DGLO will not be met. Placements may not be approved where DGLOs cannot be met.
Assessment of your performance at the completion of your placement will be based on the eight DGLOs.
Note, when submitting your attachments in InPlace, please make sure you click ‘upload’ and then 'save'.
At the end of your placement
You will be emailed an evaluation form when your placement is confirmed. A copy of the evaluation form will also be forwarded to your supervisor for their information. It is your responsibility to print the evaluation form for completion.
- Arrange a time to meet with your supervisor on the final day of your placement. Complete the student column on the evaluation form prior to your meeting.
- Discuss the evaluation at the arranged time with your supervisor who will complete the relevant columns on the evaluation form.
- Sign and date the evaluation form with your supervisor. The evaluation form is to be uploaded to the relevant drop box on the unit teaching site through DeakinSync by the end of week 10 of trimester.
What happens after my placement?
The placement is a hurdle requirement for your unit, however, within the unit (e.g. SLE225, SLE301, SLE390) there are other assessment requirements which you will be required to complete during the trimester of offer for your unit.
Now is the time to update your resume/CV with the experience completed and, if you wish, ask your work placement supervisor to be a referee for you in the future.
Further information will be available on the unit teaching site through DeakinSync for the relevant unit. Class attendance during trimester for SLE301 and SLE390 is compulsory.
- SLE352 Information Session Slides (PDF, 1.0MB)
- SLE352 Information flyer for students - T1 2020 (PDF, 492.3KB)
Academic queries
SLE352 unit chair: Please refer to the University handbook for assessment details.
Apply
Students will be able to apply for group projects via the unit site through DeakinSync at the beginning of Trimester 1. Clients will provide a report on the team performance at the end of the group project.
At the end of your placement
You will be sent an evaluation form when your placement is confirmed (via email). A copy of the evaluation form will also be forwarded to your supervisor for their information. It is your responsibility to print off the evaluation form for completion.
- Arrange a time to meet with your supervisor on the final day of your placement. Complete the student column on the evaluation form prior to your meeting.
- Discuss the evaluation at the arranged time with your supervisor, who will complete the relevant columns on the evaluation form.
- Sign and date the evaluation form with your supervisor. The evaluation form is to be uploaded to the relevant drop box on the unit teaching site through DeakinSync by the end of week 10 of trimester.
What happens after my placement?
The placement is a hurdle requirement for your unit, however, within the unit (e.g. SLE225, SLE301, SLE390) there are other assessment requirements which you will be required to complete during the trimester of offer for your unit.
Now is the time to update your resume/CV with the experience completed and, if you wish, ask your work placement supervisor to be a referee for you in the future.
Further information will be available on the unit teaching site through DeakinSync for the relevant unit. Class attendance during trimester for SLE301 and SLE390 is compulsory.
- Sample email template to send to potential host organisations (PDF, 131.1KB)
- SLE390 Student Assessment Requirements (PDF, 84.1 KB)
- SLE390 Guidelines for placements in hospitals and health-related fields (PDF, 198 KB)
Academic queries
SLE390 unit chair: Please refer to the University handbook for assessment details.
Apply
Please refer to preparing and sourcing your WIL placement for useful information.
- Placement agreement and schedule 1 (PDF, 353.5KB)
- Industry placement form (PDF, 336.8KB)
- Assessment of current paid or volunteer work (DOCX, 21.4KB)
To apply, visit InPlace where you will complete an application and attach the agreement, the industry placement form and the additional assessment of current paid or volunteer work document (if your placement is non-course related). See self-placement student instructions (PDF, 476.7KB) for assistance on how to complete this step.
Important information about Deakin Graduate Learning Outcomes (DGLO)
You will need to ensure you complete the relevant fields regarding the placement description and the DGLO 1-8 fields in your InPlace application.
It is expected that your placement will help to enhance your capabilities in all 8 DGLOs. You must provide a summary (approximately 3–4 sentences or bullet points for each) as to how your placement will address each DGLO.
If your placement is unlikely to allow you to develop any one of the DGLOs, then you must explain why the specific DGLO will not be met. Placements may not be approved where DGLOs cannot be met.
Assessment of your performance at the completion of your placement will be based on the eight DGLOs.
Note, when submitting your attachments in InPlace, please make sure you click ‘upload’ and then 'save'.
At the end of your placement
You will be emailed an evaluation form when your placement is confirmed. A copy of the evaluation form will also be forwarded to your supervisor for their information. It is your responsibility to print the evaluation form for completion.
- Arrange a time to meet with your supervisor on the final day of your placement. Complete the student column on the evaluation form prior to your meeting.
- Discuss the evaluation at the arranged time with your supervisor, who will complete the relevant columns on the evaluation form.
- Sign and date the evaluation form with your supervisor. The evaluation form is to be uploaded to the relevant drop box on the unit teaching site through DeakinSync by the end of week 10 of trimester.
What happens after my placement?
The placement is a hurdle requirement for your unit however within the unit (e.g. SLE225, SLE301, SLE390) there are other assessment requirements which you will be required to complete during the trimester of offer for your unit.
Now is the time to update your resume/CV with the experience completed and, if you wish, ask your work placement supervisor to be a referee for you in the future.
Further information will be available on the unit teaching site through DeakinSync for the relevant unit. Class attendance during trimester for SLE301 and SLE390 is compulsory.
Postgraduate students will have the opportunity to undertake an internship and gain professional work experience with an approved host organisation. The exact nature, activities and emphasis in each industry placement will vary according to the context, resources and expertise of staff as well as the experience, qualities and aspirations of the student. This systematic opportunity will provide students with experiences with which they can learn about and with an organisation, critically reflect on their course and graduate learning outcomes and discipline-specific and generic competencies in the context of work.
| SLE766 Industry Practice for Postgraduate students | Prerequisites |
|---|---|
Discipline-specific, full time placement of 450-500 hours. International students undertaking this unit are only allowed a maximum of 480 hours (or approximately 64 working days) of full-time work, without being in breach of student visa obligations. |
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Academic queries
SLE766 unit chair: Please refer to the University handbook for assessment details.
Apply
Please refer to preparing and sourcing your WIL placement for useful information.
Before you send the placement agreement to the organisation, please contact the WIL team to determine if the faculty has an existing agreement with the organization -
To apply, visit InPlace where you will complete an application and attach the agreement and the industry placement form for your placement. See self-placement student instructions (PDF, 476.7KB) for assistance on how to complete this step.
Note: When submitting your attachments in InPlace, please make sure you click ‘Upload’ and then 'Save'.
At the end of your placement
You will be sent an evaluation form when your placement is confirmed (via email). A copy of the evaluation form will also be forwarded to your supervisor for their information. It is your responsibility to print off the evaluation form for completion.
- Arrange a time to meet with your supervisor on the final day of your placement. Complete the student column on the evaluation form prior to your meeting.
- Discuss the evaluation at the arranged time with your supervisor, who will complete the relevant columns on the evaluation form.
- Sign and date the evaluation form with your supervisor. The evaluation form is to be uploaded to the relevant drop box on the unit teaching site through DeakinSync by the end of week 10 of trimester.
What happens after my placement?
The placement is a hurdle requirement for your unit however within the unit (e.g. SLE225, SLE301, SLE390) there are other assessment requirements which you will be required to complete during the trimester of offer for your unit.
Now is the time to update your resume/CV with the experience completed and, if you wish, ask your work placement supervisor to be a referee for you in the future.
Further information will be available on the unit teaching site through DeakinSync for the relevant unit. Class attendance during trimester for SLE301 and SLE390 is compulsory.
Postgraduate students will have the opportunity to undertake an internship and gain professional work experience with an approved host organisation. The exact nature, activities and emphasis in each industry placement will vary according to the context, resources and expertise of staff as well as the experience, qualities and aspirations of the student. This systematic opportunity will provide students with experiences with which they can learn about and with an organisation, critically reflect on their course and graduate learning outcomes and discipline-specific and generic competencies in the context of work.
| SLE314 Research Project | Prerequisites |
|---|---|
Sourcing your project Students interested in SLE314 must source their own research project. It is a competitive process and the supervisors of the project make the final decisions. When choosing a project my advice would be to choose a project that you are interested in. These projects can result in an opportunity to complete an Honours year after you finish your degree. A good place to start is to check the research profiles of staff or alternatively, look at the honours projects they offered the previous year. These may not be the exact projects offered but it will give you an idea of the area they work in. If you find an area of interest, please send an email to the supervisor with the following information:
Please note selection to a project is done by the supervisor of the project and not the unit team. I meet the prerequisites – What do I do next?If you secure a project, then ask the supervisor to email Associate Prof Jan West at jan.west@deakin.edu.au stating they accept you to complete the project. Prof West will then send you an email confirming your enrolment. You can take this email to a course advisor, and they will manually enrol you in the unit. Any questions about this unit please contact Assoc Prof Jan West at jan.west@deakin.edu.au To help you source a possible project, the School of LES has started collating a list of projects currently on offer. This is not an extensive list and students are required to seek more information from the researchers, if they are interested. Students are encouraged to research widely for potential projects beyond this list. Projects on offer for T2 2022Prof Euan Ritchie – Greater Gliders (Burwood Campus) Greater gliders are the second largest gliding mammal in the world and were reclassified as three distinct species in 2020, rather than just one. Greater gliders are widely distributed along the east coast of Australia and face numerous threats including habitat loss and climate change. These species have been the subject of much research and public interest in the last few years, however an extensive review of their ecology has not been performed since 2004, before they were considered threatened with extinction and reclassified as three species. Hence, we believe there is a strong need to review the current literature for greater gliders and classify the evidence relative to each of the three species. The aims of this project are to: i) perform a systematic literature review to identify and collate relevant greater glider literature, ii) summarise the amount of literature and key findings relative to each of the three greater glider species (based on the distribution of each species), iii) assess the current status of information for each greater glider species and identify potential knowledge gaps, and iv) produce a manuscript based on the review findings for submission to a suitable peer-reviewed journal. Myself and one of my PhD students, Luke Emerson, would provide support to the prospective student. We both have extensive experience performing systematic literature reviews and researching arboreal marsupials, particularly greater gliders. Contact: euan.ritchie@deakin.edu.au Dr Adam Cardilini - Evaluating STEM eduVR Applications for Teaching (Burwood Campus) Project description: XR technologies hold significant promise for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) education. In particularly, virtual reality (VR) provides opportunities to engage students with otherwise impossible, expensive, and dangerous learning experiences. Despite being a relatively new technology there are already dozens of STEM eduVR applications available which intend to support learning, however, the quality of the learning experiences vary considerably and may not achieve what they intend to. We are still in the early days of STEM eduVR development and figuring out how it can best be used. Recent research attempts to provide 'A Comprehensive Rubric for Evaluating EduVR'. This student researcher will use this rubric to evaluate the quality of STEM eduVR currently available (see attached document), identify gaps and highlight opportunities. Suited for: Students interested in science education and educational technology. The student will need strong communication skills, the ability for critical evaluation, and to work independently. Contact: adam.cardilini@deakin.edu.au Dr Nick Porch – Beetles in the Dandenongs (Burwood Campus) Laboratory experience only – Contact Nick to discuss potential projects. Contact: nicholas.porch@deakin.edu.au Dr Mark Ziemann – Genomics Projects are for students interested in genomics and have some experience with writing code or doing data analysis. More information contact: m.ziemann@deakin.edu.au
Dr Angela Ziebell (Burwood Campus) Projects on offer: Longitudinal impact of careers learning in science students. Using Graduate Outcome Survey data from former Science students, you will look at the impact of a third-year career development learning class on graduate outcomes. This work will initially include data analysis and gaining a strong understanding of the background literature including what the students are taught and why. This project could include interviews with graduates if there is time. This will include learning the statistical program SPSS and possibly NVivo (interviews and other qualitative data).
Learning about Indigenous Science for cultural competency. In this work students will analysis reflections written by student who took a unit called Indigenous Science. Students will either look at the reaction of students in the reflections after the initial cultural competency training which takes two weeks, or the final reflection from the whole unit. We are trying to map how students react to this learning in order to best design the learning to minimise unneeded stress and unproductive learning and maximise the impact. Contact: a.ziebell@deakin.edu.au Dr Liz Weldon – Palaeontology / Geoconservation (Burwood Campus) Research supervision capabilities in palaeontology, earth science, palaeobiogeography, palaeoecology, palaeoenvironmental analysis, and geoconservation. Major themes: 1) Geoconservation
2) Palaeontology
Contact: l.weldon@deakin.edu.au Prof Paul Francis – Chemistry (Waurn Ponds Campus) Students that undertake SLE314 with our research group generally have completed (or plan to complete) undergraduate units in analytical chemistry (SLE213 and SLE316) and/or inorganic chemistry (SLE210 and SLE361). Current research project areas include:
Our team includes Prof. Paul Francis, Dr Egan Doeven, Dr Emily Kerr, Dr Tim Connell and Dr David Hayne. Projects will be supervised by the most appropriate combination of staff within this team, with expertise spanning all areas of the proposed research. Contact: paul.francis@deakin.edu.au Dr Anne Turner – Stress Research (School of Exercise and Nutrition – Burwood Campus) Watch the video about Anne’s research that was telecast on ABC iview ‘Ask the Doctor’. Contact: anne.turner@deakin.edu.au Prof Jan West and Prof Leigh Ackland Projects on offer: Keeping dog poop in the loop - Researching the sewerage disposal option: This project aims to investigate the biology of dog poop and subsequent issues regarding its safe disposal, describe the different sewerage systems used in Australia and the implications for the inclusion of dog waste, explain the end use of solid waste from the different Australian sewerage systems, review information and interview relevant professionals about flushing unbagged dog poop in Australian loos, collate all the information and prepare a report and producing a flyer and short video suitable for a layperson, highlighting the key findings.
Researching the myths and facts about how dog poop affects the health of humans and the environment: This project aims to collect information on myths and common misconceptions about the harmfulness of dog poop for humans and the environment, investigate and review the science and research to determine the facts about the risks of dog poop for humans and the environment, collate all the information and prepare a report, produce a flyer and short video suitable for a layperson, highlighting the key findings. Contact: Ruth Miller, Enviro Pet Waste Network, ruthmiller5212@gmail.com. |
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