Professional Orientation (Science) (11718.1)

Please note these are the 2028 details for this unit
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Professional Orientation (Science)
Available teaching periods Delivery mode Location
View teaching periods On-campus
 Bruce, Canberra
EFTSL Credit points Faculty
0.125 3 Faculty Of Science And Technology
Discipline Study level HECS Bands
School Of Science Level 1 - Undergraduate Introductory Unit Band 2 2021 (Commenced After 1 Jan 2021)
Band 3 2021 (Commenced Before 1 Jan 2021)
In this unit, students will be introduced to the scientific methodology which underpins the diverse range of scientific professions across the Program of Science. Aspects including experimental design principles, logic, ethics, occupational health and safety (OH&S), literature retrieval and review, and effective science communication will be explored. Working collaboratively is at the core of this unit and students will consider their own perspectives about cultural diversity and how these align with culturally responsive professional practices. Students will also commence their career and study planning within this unit through the development of five-year plans and portfolios.

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
1. Identify the personal skills, capabilities and knowledge necessary to meet the work standards expected in scientific professions, and develop a personal and academic plan to achieve these;
2. Understand the principles of scientific methodology, and explain the elements that underpin high quality science;
3. Develop skills in effective literature retrieval and review to evaluate the quality of scientific information;
4. Communicate scientific findings to a range of audiences using multiple types of media;
5. Map out academic and professional trajectories over the next five years in an ePortfolio; and
6. Demonstrate a capacity to work collaboratively, exploring how their own culture, beliefs and attitudes about cultural diversity impact on personal and professional contexts.


Graduate attributes

1. UC graduates are professional - employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills
1. UC graduates are professional - communicate effectively
1. UC graduates are professional - use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems
1. UC graduates are professional - work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict
1. UC graduates are professional - take pride in their professional and personal integrity
2. UC graduates are global citizens - make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives
2. UC graduates are global citizens - behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development
3. UC graduates are lifelong learners - be self-aware


Prerequisites

None.

Corequisites

None.

Incompatible units

None.

Equivalent units

None.

Assumed knowledge

None.
Availability for enrolment in 2027, 2028 is subject to change and may not be confirmed until closer to the teaching start date.
Year Location Teaching period Teaching start date Delivery mode Unit convener
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 16 February 2026 On-campus Dr Margarita Medina
2026 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 10 August 2026 On-campus Dr Margarita Medina
2027 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 15 February 2027 On-campus Dr Margarita Medina
2027 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 09 August 2027 On-campus Dr Hilary Coleman
2028 Bruce, Canberra Semester 1 14 February 2028 On-campus Dr Margarita Medina
2028 Bruce, Canberra Semester 2 07 August 2028 On-campus Dr Hilary Coleman
The information provided should be used as a guide only. Timetables may not be finalised until week 2 of the teaching period and are subject to change. Search for the unit timetable.

Required texts

All readings and supplementary material will be provided on the UCLearn (Canvas) site.

The following texts are recommended reading:

  • McCuen, R.H. (2025) Professional Development and Career Planning - Guidance for STEM Careers. First edition. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press.
  • Lexis, L. (2022) How to do science. Revised edition. Queensland: University of Southern Queensland.

Both texts are available to students and are linked in the UCLearn (Canvas) Reading List.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) 

Guided - Students will be guided in how GenAI must/may be used in completing the assessment as detailed in the unit outline and assessment instructions. More detailed information can be found at GenAI and Assessment at UC

This unit will utilise GenAI (Microsoft Copilot) in the Annotated Bibliography and Group Presentation assessment.

It is ONLY to be used as described in the Annotated Bibliography assessment guide and the Group presentation assessment guide (available on the unit's Canvas site) and is NOT to be used in other assessments.

Special assessment requirements

In order to pass this unit, students are required to:

1) Complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM).

2) Achieve an aggregated grade of 50% or higher.

The final mark for this subject will be calculated by an accumulation of marks from each assessment item (Annotated Bibliography = 15%, Scientific Literature Review = 25%, Group Oral Presentation - Research Design = 25%, and ePortfolio = 35%).

The unit convener reserves the right to question students on any of their submitted work for moderation and academic integrity purposes.

Students must apply academic integrity in their learning and research activities at UC. This includes submitting authentic and original work for assessments and properly acknowledging any sources used.

Academic integrity involves the ethical, honest and responsible use, creation and sharing of information. It is critical to the quality of higher education. Our academic integrity values are honesty, trust, fairness, respect, responsibility and courage.

UC students have to complete the Academic Integrity Module annually to learn about academic integrity and to understand the consequences of academic integrity breaches (or academic misconduct).

UC uses various strategies and systems, including detection software, to identify potential breaches of academic integrity. Suspected breaches may be investigated, and action can be taken when misconduct is found to have occurred.

Information is provided in the Academic Integrity Policy, Academic Integrity Procedure, and University of Canberra (Student Conduct) Rules 2023. For further advice, visit Study Skills.

Learner engagement

The contact hours for each student in this unit consist of 22 hours of lectures (2 hrs x 11 lectures) and 22 hours of workshops (2 hrs x 11 sessions). The remaining 106 hours of workload should be distributed across the various assessment tasks and self-directed learning including online content videos.

Participation requirements

It is strongly encouraged that you attend all lectures and workshops to make the most of your learning experience. There will be different guest presenters in lectures and workshops through the semester, so participation is strongly recommended. It is a student's responsibility to review missed work.

In the Week 1, 4, and 5 workshops module activities will be completed, these are needed for your reflection required for your ePortfolio assessment.

Groups for the Group Oral Presentation - Research Design will be formed in the Week 5 Workshop. Those who do not attend and fail to provide evidence of extenuating circumstances to the convener will be left to organise their own group. The Week 12 and 13 Workshops will be reserved for your Group Oral Presentation - Research Design; you are expected to attend for the full duration in order to present and be an audience for the other groups.

Week 11 Lecture is the Science Industry Panel Discussion, this activity is part of your ePortfolio assessment. Non-attendance in Week 11 (without timely evidence provided to the convener) means you will not be able to access the recording of the Science Industry Engagement Panel.

Required IT skills

Familiarity with Microsoft Office Word, Outlook, Excel, and PowerPoint or equivalent is necessary.

It is expected that students have learned how to access resources in the UC library and to access the Unit's Canvas site.

The unit will use Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) software - Microsoft Copilot. Support for this will be available if necessary.

In-unit costs

None

Work placement, internships or practicums

None

Additional information

Lectures:

Students are encouraged to attend/view lectures prior to their weekly workshop. Workshop activities build upon lecture content and all lecture content is assessable.

Workshops:

Please note that workshops will not be recorded and, coupled with lecture content, inform assessment items. Components of assessment items will also be commenced in workshops, and it is advised you bring a device to assist in the completion.

Provision of information to the group:

Notifications through the Canvas Announcements Forum or the Canvas Discussion Forums are deemed to be made to the whole class. It is the responsibility of the student to ensure that they check for announcements on the Unit's Canvas website (Canvas announcements are also emailed to student email addresses). 

Students should ensure they check their student email regularly. 

The Canvas discussion forums will be checked by staff regularly.

Use of student email account:

The University Email policy states that "students wishing to contact the University via email regarding administrative or academic matters need to send the email from the University account for identity verification purposes". Therefore, all unit enquiries should be emailed using a student university email account. Students should contact servicedesk@canberra.edu.au if they have any issues accessing their university email account.

Absence:

In all cases of absence, sickness, or other extenuating circumstances it is the student's responsibility to ensure that the Unit Convener is informed.

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