Unit outline_

PMGT2800: Project Placement A

Semester 1, 2025 [Professional practice] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study provides student with internship and/or work placement opportunities in the field of project management. It allows student to translate their learning from their junior and intermediate units of study within Bachelor of Project Management degree into experiential learning in a real world context. Students will be required to work with the supporting/host organisation for a minimum of 120 hours or 20 working days and this arrangement needs to be endorsed by both the academic director of the program or equivalent and the supervisor of the host organisation prior to the beginning of the placement. Students will gain valuable industry and professional experience from this unit of study including communication and key aspects of project management skills such as planning, scheduling, costing, coordinating, resourcing, budgeting, monitoring and reporting. It is anticipated that this unit of study would enrich the learning experience as well as enhance future business development or job employment opportunities in the project management context.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Project Management
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
(PMGT1850 or ENGG1850) and (PMGT1860 or ENGG1860) and (PMGT1863 or ENGG1863) and PMGT1852 and (PMGT1865 or ENGG1865) and PMGT1711 and [12 credit points of 1000 level units of study] and WAM >=65
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

This unit of study is only available to students who have a credit average or above and who have obtained approval from the program director

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Ken Chung, ken.chung@sydney.edu.au
Project supervisor(s) Selina Wang, selina.wang@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length
Online task Reflection Journals
Reflection Report
20% Multiple weeks
Due date: 30 Mar 2025 at 12:24

Closing date: 01 Jun 2025
500 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment hurdle task AI Allowed Final Report
Written Report
40% STUVAC
Due date: 15 Jun 2025 at 23:59

Closing date: 18 Jun 2025
8000 - 10,000 words
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Assignment hurdle task AI Allowed Statement of work and Supervisor Feedback
Statement of work report report from Supervisor
20% Week 05
Due date: 30 Mar 2025 at 23:59
N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Presentation hurdle task Presentation
Verbal presentation
20% Week 12
Due date: 22 May 2025 at 14:42
15 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
AI allowed = AI allowed ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

Reflection journals: Each reflection journals (500 words) capture the student internship experience through honest self-reflection. While there are no wrong or right answers, it allows the student to reflect on their strengths, limitations, challenges and learning through their internship experience. Journals are meant to be submitted on a regular basis (e.g. fortnightly (although weekly reflection is encouraged)) to the academic supervisor throughout the entire internship experience.

Statement of work: Statement of work covers the planning phases of the project scope during the internship. In other words, it details the ``product or service scope`` of the work the student does during the internship within the host organisation. It also details the ``project scope`` (i.e. the project management work required) to deliver the ``product or service scope``. This is due at a time (e.g. week 5) set by the academic supervisor and this is generally after the product and project scope is organised between the student and the host organisation (e.g. after three to four weeks into the internship).

Presentation: covers a summary of the internship experience, including summary of the project, its objectives, goals, intended deliverables, methodology, milestones and deliverables achieved (or not), value delivered to the client (including those not) and significant learnings and self-reflection of the entire internship experience. This is a 30 minute long presentation, due at a time set by the academic supervisor and this is generally towards the end of the internship.

Final Report: The final report captures details of the entire internship experience and reports on the progress of the entire project lifecycle. The maximum words for the final report is 15,000 words and is due at the end of the internship.

Important Notes:

 Confidential Peer Evaluation:

As part of the assessment process for group work, collaborative and self-peer evaluation tools (e.g., SparkPlus) may be utilised, either confidentially or non-confidentially, to assess contributions and interactions among group members. Based on the outcomes of the peer evaluation process, individual team member marks may be adjusted accordingly.

Statistically defensible moderation may be applied when combining marks from individual assessment components to ensure consistency between markers and alignment of final grades with the unit outcomes.

Reliability of Canvas Marks:

Canvas will be used in this unit for the submission of key assessments; however, it should not be relied upon to determine or predict a student’s final marks. Not all assessment results may be visible to students, and group or team marks may be adjusted for individual members based on peer evaluations.

Mark Moderation:

Statistically defensible moderation may be applied when combining marks from individual assessment components to ensure consistency between markers and alignment of final grades with the unit outcomes.

 

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (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

Exceptional project deliverables/ value delivered to sponsor by team with excellent peer-evaluations

Distinction

75 - 84

Excellent project deliverables/ value delivered to sponsor by team with excellent/good peer-evaluations

Credit

65 - 74

Professional project deliverables/ value delivered to sponsor by team with good peer-evaluation

Pass

50 - 64

Adequate project deliverables/ value delivered to sponsor by team with fair peer-evaluation

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

 

For more information see guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

Except for supervised exams or in-semester tests, you may use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessments unless expressly prohibited by your unit coordinator. 

For exams and in-semester tests, the use of AI and automated writing tools is not allowed unless expressly permitted in the assessment instructions. 

The icons in the assessment table above indicate whether AI is allowed – whether full AI, or only some AI (the latter is referred to as “AI restricted”). If no icon is shown, AI use is not permitted at all for the task. Refer to Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks for this unit. 

Your final submission must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of automated writing tools or generative AI, and any material generated that you include in your final submission must be properly referenced. You may be required to submit generative AI inputs and outputs that you used during your assessment process, or drafts of your original work. Inappropriate use of generative AI is considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply. 

The Current Students website provides information on artificial intelligence in assessments. For help on how to correctly acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the  AI in Education Canvas site

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:

For every calendar day up to and including ten calendar days after the due date, a penalty of 5% of the maximum awardable marks will be applied to late work. The penalty will be calculated by first marking the work, and then subtracting 5% of the maximum awardable mark for each calendar day after the due date. Example: Consider an assignment's maximum awardable mark is 10; the assignment is submitted 2 days late; and the assignment is marked as 7/10. After applying the penalty, marks will be: 7 - (0.5 x 2) = 6/10. For work submitted more than ten calendar days after the due date a mark of zero will be awarded. The marker may elect to, but is not required to, provide feedback on such work. Refer to section 7A of Assessment procedures policy available at: http://sydney.edu.au/policies/showdoc.aspx?recnum=PDOC2012/267&RendNum=0

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

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

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Weekly Practical Experience (total 120 hours) Placement (120 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5

Attendance and class requirements

  • Practical Experience (120 hours): The placement will be coordinated and facilitated by the Project Management program. The student will be assigned an academic supervisor from the program who is then responsible for ensuring that there is alignment between student learning activities and the learning outcomes involved in the placement.
  • The teaching activities related to the (intended) learning outcomes involve the following:
  1.  Planning and coordinating the logistics of the placement
  2.  Agreement with student and host organisation about appropriate learning activities and listing them in the ``learning contract`` (a negotiated document developed by the student in consultation with the academic supervisor and host organisation about the learning experience)
  3. Selection of project(s) to be undertaken in the host organisation
  4. Providing appropriate level of guidance and scaffolding to learning
  5. Provide feedback to learning
  6. Assess the learning outcomes 
  • The learning activities conducted by the students involve the following:
  1. Collecting and analysing the data to identify a situational problem or issue.
  2. Formulating solution to the problem through application of theory to the problem or situation at hand.
  3. Implementing actions to develop the solution.
  4. Evaluating effectiveness of intervention or project.
  5. Collaborating with other team members either intra- or inter-disciplinary.
  6. Reflecting on own performance to identify areas for improvement.

 

Attendance Requirement

As per the Faculty of Engineering Coursework Awards Resolutions, students are expected to attend and actively engage in all timetabled activities of their respective units of study.

For this unit of study, students are expected to attend a minimum of 85 percent of timetabled activities. Exceptions to this requirement may be granted only by the Dean or the Head of School.

Failure to meet the minimum attendance requirement may result in a fail grade.

Heads of School, Program Directors and / or Unit of Study Coordinators may set additional assessment items where the attendance requirement differs from 85 percent.

Workshop Participation:

Students are required to engage in a professional manner during workshops. This includes being fully prepared by thoroughly reviewing and engaging with all materials provided by the Unit of Study Coordinator and / or teaching team prior to the workshop where applicable. Active participation in class activities, discussions, and team-based tasks is expected to ensure meaningful contributions and effective collaboration.

Students participating in learning activities, including workshops conducted remotely or online, are strongly encouraged to have their cameras turned on for the duration of the session. Failure to comply may result in a request to show cause. Continued non-compliance may be deemed as non-participation, which could impact assessment outcomes.

 

 

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 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.

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

  • LO1. develop cross cultural and inter-disciplinary communication skills through liaising and collaboration with industry stakeholders in professional organisational settings
  • LO2. provide experiential learning through the application of project management theories and methodologies in real world and practical settings
  • LO3. self-reflect and recognise one's own limitations through self-reflection of successes and failures during the project life cycle
  • LO4. develop critical thinking and analytical skills through working in real life projects during the project planning, execution and monitoring and controlling phases
  • LO5. understand the importance of project delivery, the organisational value of achieving key milestones and project deliverables in real world projects.

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
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

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

No significant changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Requests for References from Teaching Staff (NEW SECTION):

Unit of Study Coordinators and the teaching team for this unit are not obligated to, and typically will not, provide personal references for students.

Students requiring a letter of good standing should direct their request to the Student Centre as the first point of contact. 
 

Support with Administrative / Enrolment Matters (NEW SECTION): 

The Student Centre is the primary point of contact for students seeking assistance with administrative, enrolment, or timetable matters.

In certain cases, the School’s Administrative Team may be able to provide additional support and can be contacted at: project.management@sydney.edu.au.

 

Work, health and safety

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. 

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.