Outline

Overview

The professional development unit of study is completed in the third year of the AVBS degree, with the aim of creating job-ready graduates. We aim to empower students to encourage self-awareness, reflection, and strategic career planning. In Professional Development students participate in a range of career focused activities that encourage students to integrateexperiences from their professionalplacements with their degree coursework to prepare them for the workforce.Students participate in a CV writing workshop where students learn how to prepare a professional CV and cover letter for a current graduate job in animal science. We hold seminars across the semester and a careers day where representatives from a broad range of animal industries that employ AVBS graduates present on graduate pathways and career opportunities. This network is largely comprised of AVBS graduates that present their perspectives on how to best prepare for a career after graduation. The unit is scaffolded across the semester to build toward the final assessment which is an interactive oral assessment mock job interview. Students are required to have completed their placements before enrolling in this UOS.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	A minimum of 72 credit points including (AVBS1002 and (AVBS2007 or AVBS2004 or AVBS2005 or ENVX2001)) and (AVBS2011 and (AVBS2012 or AVBS2013 or AVBS2014))
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Sarah Wilma Jean Legge, s.legge@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 August 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Peer or expert observation or supervision	Professional experience reports Reports to integrate experiences gained through placements. Submitted y 1-3	50%	Week -01 Due date: 31 Jul 2026 at 23:59	max 2000 words	AI limited - refer to Canvas
Outcomes assessed:
Attendance - accreditation or faculty requirement	Seminar 1 - Applying for professional jobs Attendance compulsory	0%	Week 01 Due date: 04 Aug 2026 at 14:00	2hr	Not applicable
Outcomes assessed:
Attendance - accreditation or faculty requirement	Seminar 2 - post graduate pathways Attendance compulsory	0%	Week 03 Due date: 18 Aug 2026 at 14:00	2hr	Not applicable
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	Peer review - formative Peer review of CV / cover letter and provide detailed feedback to peer - 1 per student	0%	Week 04 Due date: 27 Aug 2026 at 23:59	2-3 pages	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	CV and cover letter prepare a professional cover letter and CV for an animal science job	10%	Week 05 Due date: 03 Sep 2026 at 23:59	2 pages	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Attendance - accreditation or faculty requirement	Seminar 3 - job interview preparation Attendance compulsory	0%	Week 06 Due date: 08 Sep 2026 at 14:00	2hr	Not applicable
Outcomes assessed:
Attendance - accreditation or faculty requirement	Seminar 4 - industry panel Compulsory Attendance	0%	Week 10 Due date: 13 Oct 2026 at 14:00	2hr	Not applicable
Outcomes assessed:
Interactive oral	Final interactive oral assessment Attendance to job interview	40%	Week 13 Due date: 03 Nov 2026 at 12:00	30 mins	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

placement reports make up 50% of the grade for this unit

10% cover letter CV

40% job interview interactive oral assessment

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2021 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a High distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a Distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	This work shows excellent understanding of the topic and clear evidence of independent critical thought. It may contain blemishes, but these are compensated for by signs of high intellectual quality, especially clear, well-organised and forceful argument; reading and understanding beyond the set literature; and originality of approach.
Distinction	75 - 84	This work shows a very good understanding of the relevant content; the essay reflects independent thought; significantly it attempts to develop evaluative and critical arguments. Such arguments may be second-hand and/or they may be flawed, but a serious and sustained attempt at criticism has been made.
Credit	65 - 74	This work shows a clear understanding of the relevant material; it contains only small gaps or minor errors; reading has obviously gone beyond lecture material; there are signs of independent thought, and some attempt is made to evaluate arguments or develop critical arguments.
Pass	50 - 64	This work shows evidence of a satisfactory level of understanding of the relevant material; it may contain gaps, errors or other kinds of blemishes, but it is obvious that the student has read and digested material from lectures and/or set literature. The essay, however, is largely derivative – it simply reports the views of others - and little or no criticism or evaluation of arguments is attempted.
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard. There may be a significant amount of ‘parroting’ of material from lectures or tutorials or set reading, but this work shows little or no evidence of satisfactory understanding of the relevant content; it may contain either serious errors or major gaps in what is considered essential information.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades

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.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

5% per day late

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Industry guest presentation and career activity	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 03	Industry guest presentation and career activity	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 06	Industry guest presentation and career activity	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 10	Industry guest presentation and career activity	Seminar (2 hr)
Week 13	Industry guest presentation and career activity	Seminar (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students are required to attend seminars from guest speakers .

Students must complete 40 days of placement across 3 years of their degree. Each placement (min 4) must include a consultant style report which is submitted in the semester following their placement. These reports comprise 50% of their final grade.

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. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

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. Experience and Evaluate the major and emerging animal industries first-hand
LO2. Understand and evaluate the production, development, finance, marketing, research and management of domestic, native and exotic animals and animal products across a range of environments and managerial systems
LO3. Analyse the current issues associated with animal science in a global context
LO4. Apply the range of interpersonal skills necessary to establish a professional rapport with clients, colleagues and academics
LO5. Synthesise the learnings from your degree to develop particular interests that may inform your choice of career
LO6. Develop and practise skills in CV writing and job interview techniques
LO7. Execute skills in professional consultant-style report writing.
LO8. Critically reflect on the pivotal relationships between your degree, the rural environment, your professional placements, and your personal beliefs and values and those of your peers, community and society.

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.

Students with delayed enrolment will do the AVBS4000 coursework but need to enrol in AVBS3000 if enrolled in degree pre 2019. Taking on board student feedback regarding report length, and lack of engagement, we are redesigning the program to be more engaging and less heavy to reflect work load relevant to a 6cp UoS. Current changes include reducing placements from 60 to 40 days, and from 5 to 4 reports.

Additional information

Additional costs

There may be some personal costs to the student for travel and accommodation to their placement sites.

Site visit guidelines

Students must adhere to the code of conduct when visiting placement sites. Students must abide by photography and media sharing within the code.

Work, health and safety

We are governed by the Work Health and Safety Act 2011, Work Health and Safety Regulation 2011 and Codes of Practice. Penalties for non-compliance have increased. Everyone has a responsibility for health and safety at work. The University’s Work Health and Safety policy explains the responsibilities and expectations of workers and others, and the procedures for managing WHS risks associated with University activities.

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.

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

Support for students

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

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

AVBS3000: Professional Development

Semester 2, 2026 [Professional practice] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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

Support for students

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

Additional costs

Site visit guidelines

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links