Outline

Overview

The professional development unit of study is completed in the final 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 integrate experiences from their professional placements 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.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Life and Environmental Sciences Academic Operations
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	ANSC3106 and AVBS2011 and AVBS2012 and AVBS2013 and AVBS2014
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	AVBS3000
Assumed knowledge ?	Professional Placements Program - they should have undertaken 40 days of industry placements (during years 1-3) prior to enrolling in this UoS. Reporting is captured via SONIA and Canvas across their degree
Available to study abroad and exchange students	No

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Sabrina Lomax, sabrina.lomax@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 1 September 2025

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: 25 Jul 2025 at 23:00	max 2000 words	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Seminar 1 - Applying for professional jobs Attendance	0%	Week 01 Due date: 05 Aug 2025 at 14:00	2h	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Seminar 2 - post graduate pathways Attendance	0%	Week 03 Due date: 19 Aug 2025 at 14:00	2h	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Practical skill	CV and cover letter prepare a professional cover letter and CV for an animal science job	10%	Week 04 Due date: 26 Aug 2025 at 23:59	2 pages	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Case studies	Case study Case study related to industry seminar	10%	Week 06 Due date: 09 Sep 2025 at 16:00	1 page	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Seminar 3 - industry day Attendance	0%	Week 06 Due date: 09 Sep 2025 at 14:00	2h	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Portfolio or journal	Portfolio pitch Reflection on placements and career path. online submission	10%	Week 10 Due date: 17 Oct 2025 at 11:59	5 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Contribution	Seminar 4 - job interview techniques Attendance	0%	Week 10 Due date: 14 Oct 2025 at 14:00	2h seminar	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Interactive oral	Final interactive oral assessment Attendance to job interview	20%	Week 12 Due date: 28 Oct 2025 at 14:00	30min	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Professional Experience reports for placements should be submitted before commencement of this unit of study and make up 50% of the final grade. These are a hurdle requirement and students may fail the unit if the reports are not completed.

Assessments:

1. CV writing activity 10% - students will prepare a professional CV and cover letter for a currently advertised animal science position advertised. 2 to 3 pages due week 4

2. Case Study 10% due week 6 - students will participate in an in class activity related to the guest seminar and submit at the end of the class

3. Portfolio pitch 10% due week 10 - students will submit a pre-recorded video (5min) presenting a reflective summary of their placement activities

4. Interactive oral assessment 20% week 12 - students will participate in an in-class assessment relating to the career seminars, professional development and reflection. A mock - interview style will be used to increase job-readiness. Students must participate/attend the interview to pass the unit of study.

Assessment criteria

See Placements Canvas Site for the rubric.

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 for submitted work.

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	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Industry guest presentation and career activity	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Industry guest presentation and career activity	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Industry guest presentation and career activity	Lecture and tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Industry guest presentation and career activity	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Students are expected to attend all seminars and timetabled activities for this unit of study. Inability to attend requires a special consideration application. To meet the learning outcomes of this Unit of Study, students are required to attend all seminars, submit their placement reports, and participate in the final assessment. A student may fail this unit of study where inadequate attendance results in learning outcomes not being met. Attendance will be registered using QR codes and there will be in-class assessments. The final interactive oral assessment is a compulsory hurdle task, students must attend and participate in the IOA to pass the unit.

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.

updated assessments and attendance requirements based on semester 1 feedback

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

AVBS4000: Professional Development

Semester 2, 2025 [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

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links