AP2A68-Mini Work Placement and Professional Development for Animal Scientists

Module Provider: School of Agriculture, Policy and Development
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:5
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Pre-requisites: Part 1 BSc Animal Science
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2019/0

Module Convenor: Dr Rachael Neal

Email: r.a.neal@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module provides a means of promoting and recognising short term work placements within the field of Animal Science which are independently organised by students and approved by the University, for the University summer vacation at the end of Part 1), the Christmas vacation (Part 2), or the Easter vacation (Part 2), or as days accrued during the course of the Part 2 academic year. Its main aims are to (i) enhance employability through acquisition of relevant experience and (ii) promote personal and professional development and increased self-awareness by providing a framework for critical self-reflection in the context of the work based learning experience. The module will also give students an insight into the concepts of life-long learning and continuing professional development.

Aims:

This module provides a means of promoting and recognising short term work placements within the field of Animal Science which are independently organised by students and approved by the University, for the University summer vacation at the end of Part 1), the Christmas vacation (Part 2), or the Easter vacation (Part 2), or as days accrued during the course of the Part 2 academic year. Its main aims are to (i) enhance employability through acquisition of relevant experience and (ii) promote personal and professional development and increased self-awareness by providing a framework for critical self-reflection in the context of the work based learning experience. The module will also give students an insight into the concepts of life-long learning and continuing professional development.

Assessable learning outcomes:

By completion of the module students will be able to:

- Critically reflect on the personal and professional learning opportunities afforded to them during an independently organised mini work-placement in the field of animal science.

Additional outcomes:

Students will also gain experience of

• Organising a mini work-placement


• Applying their scientific/technical skills and knowledge to the tasks and responsibilities of the role in which they are working.

Students will also gain or improve on a range of day to day transferable skills in the work place, as appropriate to their role, including for example time management, communication, team work and independent work, initiative, organisation, decision making and global awareness.

Outline content:

1. Work placements must amount to 70 hours minimum - the equivalent of two full time - weeks of work. Other arrangements for accrual of time may be discussed with and approved in advance by the module convenor on a case by case basis (i.e. weekly day/part day sessions over a period of time). Longer summer placements are allowed/encouraged but are not a necessity for completion of the module.


2. All placements must be within a company or organisation explicitly connected with animal science, for example in the areas of animal health, welfare, nutrition, behaviour, production/agriculture, zoological management, conservation, education, research, communication.


3. Placements must be undertaken between the end of the Part 1 examinations and the end of the Easter Vacation of Part 2.


4. All placements must be discussed with and approved by the University in advance of the placement commencement date. Placements will not be approved retrospectively. Placements which involve doing a job the student already does or has done in the past will not be approved – students are encouraged to seek new opportunities.


5. All placement providers must satisfy health and safety requirements, hold relevant insurance and be willing to provide evidence of student attendance along with a basic testimonial of the student’s performance. Health and Safety documentation and a Work Placement Agreement must be completed and signed off before the placement can commence.


6. In order for placements to be recognised within this module, it is the responsibility of the student to have all required paperwork completed and submitted to the module convenor prior to commencing their placement, failure to do so will result in penalty in the final module mark, failure of the module or if there is time, another placement being fulfilled.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

Seminars and tutorials:

These will help students to prepare for placement(s) and develop the skills needed for effective self-evaluation and reflection during and after the placement. Drop in sessions will be available for support.

Work based learning during a mini work placement:

A mini work-placement will be independently organised and undertaken by the student. Students are encouraged to apply for a challenging placement aligned to their personal career interests which will afford them quality development opportunities. This placement must be approved by the University and all associated paperwork must be completed BEFORE any placement commences.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	3	3	1
Tutorials	1	1	1
Work-based learning	20	20	30
Guided independent study:	10	10	0
Total hours by term	34	34	32
Total hours for module	100

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Portfolio	100

Summative assessment- Examinations:

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

Students will be required to submit a reflective portfolio containing evidence of their placement activity to include:

1. an experiential learning diary/log


2. a 1000 word reflective narrative critically exploring the work based learning experience 


3. a testimonial from the employer – this must be submitted as part of the portfolio but will not be formally assessed.

It is expected that elements 1 and 3 will be taken into account within the reflective writing in 2.

Formative assessment methods:

There are regular opportunities for discussion in class sessions. In addition students will work through examples of reflective writing in preparation for the summative assessment.

Penalties for late submission:
The Module Convener will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day[1] (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;

where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: http://www.reading.ac.uk/web/FILES/qualitysupport/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

A mark of 40% overall. 

Reassessment arrangements:

By submission of coursework.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

1. Specialist clothing, footwear or headgear: Students will need to provide any necessary clothing, footwear or PPE if undertaking a practical based placement, unless these are provided by the employer.


2. Travel, accommodation and subsistence: Students will have to pay for any such costs associated with undertaking their placement.

 

 

Last updated: 8 April 2019