Research and Professional Practice Part A (6cp) (9813.2)

Required texts

There are no recommended texts for this unit, however the University library provides a wide range of resources on the topic of research methodology. The Unit Canvas site and tutorials will often be used to direct students towards useful resources.

Submission of assessment items

Extensions & Late submissions

Any assessment item submitted more than 7 days after the due date will not be graded and a mark of zero will be awarded.

Special assessment requirements

It is a requirement of this unit that students attempt all assessment items to pass this unit. If a student is unable to complete any assessment item - the unit convener must be contacted at least three (3) working days prior to the assessment due date AND supplied with appropriate documentation. Holidays/weddings/honeymoons are not considered university acceptable excuses.

Academic integrity

Students have a responsibility to uphold University standards on ethical scholarship. Good scholarship involves building on the work of others and use of others' work must be acknowledged with proper attribution made. Cheating, plagiarism, and falsification of data are dishonest practices that contravene academic values. Refer to the University's Student Charter for more information.

To enhance understanding of academic integrity, all students are expected to complete the Academic Integrity Module (AIM) at least once during their course of study. You can access this module within UCLearn (Canvas) through the 'Academic Integrity and Avoiding Plagiarism' link in the Study Help site.

Use of Text-Matching Software

The University of Canberra uses text-matching software to help students and staff reduce plagiarism and improve understanding of academic integrity. The software matches submitted text in student assignments against material from various sources: the internet, published books and journals, and previously submitted student texts.

Moderation

All assessment items within this unit will be moderated in accordance with the 'Moderation and Review' section of the University Assessment Policy.

Participation requirements

All students must complete a minimum of 140 hours of Exercise Science Practicum across Research and Professional Practice Part A (Semester 1) and Research and Professional Practice Part B (Winter Term/Semester 2). More information on the placement requirements for this unit can be found in the 'ESSA Practicum Guide', available on Canvas.

The Exercise Science placement program includes completion of a part-time placement developing skills in the delivery of exercise programs for clinical clients. This aligns with the scope of practice for Accredited Exercise Scientists (AES) and is a core attribute in the ESSA Professional Standards for Accredited Exercise Scientists that underpin our course accreditation.

This is a mandatory placement requirement for students enrolled in 274JA Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science, to ensure they meet the Professional Standards for Accredited Exercise Scientists.

Students enrolled in 266JA Bachelor of Exercise Physiology and Rehabilitation may choose to complete this UC Clinics placement as part of their Exercise Science placements, if they wish to have earlier exposure to the clinical environment. However, this will be done at the Exercise Science scope of practice level. Exercise physiology students in 266JA will all undertake clinical placement in the UC Clinics later in their degree, as part of their clinical placement program.

The placement is conducted through the University of Canberra's health clinics, in either the Student Led Exercise Physiology Clinic or the Canberra Specialist Medical Centre Clinic). Rosters will be made available during Semester 1, and then at limited timepoints later in the year. Students will complete their selected roster, which typically accounts for 20-30 hours over a 6-week period within the year. Activities at the clinics are structured around the student class timetable, so that there is no conflict or clash with class requirements.

Students who wish to sign up for the University of Canberra UCFit placement will be placed on a first in first served basis (due to a limited number of places during 2024). All students will receive a preference form, and where possible we will try to fulfil your first preference. 

Engaging in course material by viewing online lectures and attending and participating in tutorials is expected. A lack of engagement is likely to diminish a student's ability to meet unit learning objectives, and will likely impair assessment performance.  Tutorial attendance records will be kept and can be used as evidence of individual student engagement with the unit.  

It is expected that students will complete both the placment requirements and the academic requirements of this unit concurrently throughout the semester.

Required IT skills

It is expected that students will possess UC entry level IT skills. Students should be conversant with searching relevant articles via electronic means, the use of the Canvas site (UC Learn), and word processing, spreadsheets and presentation software.

In-unit costs

Students will be required to cover costs associated with undertaking placement. This may include travel costs, the costs associated with completing pre-placement requirements, and the purchase and maintenance of a University polo shirt.

Work placement, internships or practicums

This unit involves industry placement and therefore, additional student responsibilities are required in addition to those described in this section. Work-place learning requires strict adherence to professional practice principles and ethics. Client/patient confidentiality must always be maintained, including for assessment items. The professional nature of this unit encourages participation at all learning activities (lectures, tutorials, workshops etc. if scheduled – see section 3) for the best chance of successfully completing this unit.

Contact with a relevant industry body is necessary to obtain background information, for research being undertaken and / or to gain experience in the industry. Therefore, it is important that each student attends all appointments and meetings with their chosen organisation so they fully understand and are in agreement with the organisation's supervisor as to the aim and scope of the students' responsibilities.  This unit is also essential in assisting students with establishing a network in the industry and in identifying future employment opportunities.

Students may be required to seek and source their own internship for the unit.  Prior to commencing internships, students must complete all pre-placement requirements as required by the university and their placement site/s and have the placement approved by the unit convernor. Pre-placement requirements are to be held for the duration of all placements and it is the students responsibility to cover any costs associated with completing these requirements.

Students will also be required submit a placement agreement to InPlace, keep a detailed log of activites using the Smartabase platform, and demonstrate competency in accordance with the ESSA accreditation requirements as part of this unit. 

Additional information

Before commencing any placement, students MUST have completed the mandatory pre-placement requirements which can be found here: https://www.canberra.edu.au/future-student-information/placement-requirements 

Once these documents have been uploaded to InPlace and verified, students can then upload the placement agreement form for approval. Only after students have received an official email confirming their placement has been approved should they commence. Any hours completed prior to approval will not count towards the placement requirements for this unit. 

Each student will have access to the 'ESSA Practicum Guide' which outlines the placement requirements in detail. This document should be the first point of reference for students seeking information relating to acceptable placement activities and supervisor requirements.    

Students will be required to attend at least one meeting per semester with the unit convener to discuss their progress through the Exercise Science Practicum across both Research and Professional Practice Part A (9813) and Research and Professional Practice Part B (9814), booking can be made on canvas. An evaluation of the student's performance will be at the mid point of semester, and again at the end of semester. Placement sites may also implement their own evaluation process or competency requirements outside of those required for this unit. If this is the case, students should be made aware of the organisations requirements prior to the placement commencing. If the student feels that the placement site's requirements are unreasonable, they are to speak with the unit convener.

Students are required to maintain attendance in line with the schedule set out in the Placement agreement. Additional attendance may be requested by the placement site and must be agreed upon by both the site supervisor and the student before commencing. Any permanent changes to the hours outlined in the learning agreement must be reported to the unit convener. Full attendance, in line with the attendance schedule outlined in the learning agreement, is necessary to fulfil the placement. Any planned absence during the placement should be discussed with the placement site supervisor at least two (2) weeks prior to the planned absence.

If a student is absent from placement due to illness, they must inform their site supervisor as soon as possible. Any absence due to illness, in excess of two days, must be reported to the unit convener by the student, and supported by a medical certificate. Time lost during the internship must be made up to ensure total hours and competencies are satisfied. This will be at the discretion of the placement supervisor.

Students are required to keep a logbook of work completed while undertaking their internship. Please seek approval from the placement site supervisor before keeping a copy of any work completed on placement to ensure you do not contravene the confidentiality or intellectual property of clients or the host organisation. It would also be beneficial to update your resume with your recent placement/s making sure you highlight those tasks, skills and attributes which you have learnt and developed as a result of the experience. 

• Semester 1, 2024, Internship, UC - Canberra, Bruce (217692)
• Semester 1, 2023, Internship, UC - Canberra, Bruce (212187)
• Semester 1, 2022, Internship, UC - Canberra, Bruce (206763)
• Semester 1, 2021, Internship, UC - Canberra, Bruce (200478)
• Semester 1, 2020, Internship, UC - Canberra, Bruce (197440)