60811 Scientific Practice

This subject is one of two subjects which constitute the Diploma in Scientific Practice and a learning contract must be negotiated between the student and the industrial training coordinator. Approved industrial experience is supplemented by a program designed to enhance appreciation of the technical, organisational, social, cultural, ethical and legislative dimensions of workplace practice in science. This subject is normally taken during the first half of industrial training. It focuses on the attributes required in a successful application for work placement, the orientation to workplace practices and the analysis of the student's early workplace experiences. This subject may include an assessment of the student's work by the workplace supervisor.

The principal aim of this subject is to prepare students to learn from their practical experience. This subject also helps students to develop as professional scientists. The content covered in this subject (which is delivered online in collaboration with the Career Services Unit) includes planning a future, the employment process, documentation of experiences for personal growth and professional recognition, analysis of preferred learning styles and effectiveness of learning, negotiation of learning opportunities to achieve professional competencies, workplace culture and social perspectives on work, enhancement of personal and professional development through experience, effective written and oral communication, technology diffusion and adoption, and competitive advantage and opportunity recognition.