AFNR2003: Intensive January, 2026

Units AFNR2003 Intensive January 2026 [Professional practice]

Unit outline_

AFNR2003: Research Placement

Intensive January, 2026 [Professional practice] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

This placement will give students experience working in a research-focused environment. Students can choose to attend any organisation/institute conducting field or lab-based research related to agriculture e.g., university-based research (e.g., at the University of Sydney or another institution), commercial research (e.g., research labs, pharmaceutical companies), conservation (e.g., non-profit organisations) etc. During the placement, it is important for students to understand the research environment, processes and methodologies, and the application of the research outcomes relevant to the field of work. Students should also familiarise themselves with the research team, aims and funding schemes, and the major challenges associated with the research field. There are a number of sites listed on the placement database (SONIA), however, students are welcome to find and apply to add new research sites.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points	0
Prerequisites ?	AVBS1002
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Alice Shirley, alice.shirley@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 23 January 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Peer or expert observation or supervision	Placement Attendance and active participation in placement.	0%	Ongoing	Placement attendance up to 25 days	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Zoonosis Awareness module A mandatory work health and safety induction online Canvas module	0%	Week 01	30 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	Placement diary Daily diary of placement activities, dates and hours signed by supervisor. The diary also includes a post-placement reflection and evaluation component.	0%	Week 04 Due date: 20 Mar 2026 at 23:59	Placement diary up to 10 pages	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Placement attendance: This placement will give students experience working in a professional environment.

Diary: Placement attendance and subsequent submission of a diary will fulfill requirements for the unit of study and result in placement days being recorded, partially fulfilling a requirement for enrolment in AFNR4001. Failure to submit a report will result in no placement days being credited against the 40-day placement requirement for Professional Development.

Zoonosis Awareness module: This is an online Canvas module which provides introductory content on zoonoses - diseases transmitted from animals to humans. This module is an essential part of your work health and safety induction for practical activities requiring frequent contact with animals. It must be completed before you begin any practical activities and is mandatory for this unit of study.

Assessment criteria

Result Name	Description
Satisfied Requirements	The learning outcomes of the unit of study have been met to a satisfactory standard. Reports must be submitted to Canvas and receive a pass mark or higher to satisfy requirements.
Failed Requirements	The learning outcomes of the unit of study have not been met to a satisfactory standard. If a report is not submitted or receives a fail mark, the student will fail requirements and must redo the placement, report and/or unit of study.

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity	Learning outcomes
Ongoing	Research placement activities - the unit will consist of up to 25 days of placement within the unit category. Students must organise their own placements and seek approval using the SONIA program. Students must attend the placement and engage in professional conduct.	Placement (175 hr)
Ongoing	Students will write a report and submit to Canvas due one month following completion of placement. Report submission will fulfil requirements for the unit of study (Satisfied Requirements) and will result in placement days being recorded, partially fulfilling a requirement for enrolment in AFNR4001.	Self-directed learning (5 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Placement attendance and associated diary submission are hurdle requirements for the satisfactory completion of this unit of study. More details are available in the Canvas site.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Apply the range of interpersonal skills necessary to establish a professional rapport with potential employers, clients and co-workers
LO2. Develop connections with industry while working on your placements
LO3. Reflect on experiences that may inform your choice of career
LO4. Evaluate the relevant industry or business and key issues
LO5. Integrate your understanding of current issues, along with your placements experiences, with the theories and concepts you learn in your major

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

This is the first time this unit has been offered in this intensive session.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Risk assessments are regularly conducted for units that require the completion of compulsory learning activities that may expose students to zoonotic diseases. These assessments aim to identify appropriate risk mitigation controls, such as vaccination against vaccine- preventable zoonoses.

Vaccination against Q fever (Coxiella burnetii) is an inherent requirement for students enrolling in this unit of study. Students must be vaccinated against Q fever before commencing the unit or no later than week one of the enrolled teaching session. Q fever vaccination is only available in Australia with the vaccination process taking three weeks to complete.

Students must also submit a Q fever Vaccination Declaration upon enrolment.

Students who fail to receive vaccination by the specified deadline and/or submit a Q fever Vaccination Declaration are precluded from practical learning activities and will not be able to satisfactorily complete relevant units of study and/or progress in their course more generally.

Please refer to the University’s website here for more information on student vaccinations.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

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Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Website feedback