Unit outline_

VETS6127: Industry Placement Elective Experience 2

Intensive November - December, 2025 [Professional practice] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This Industry Placement Elective Experience 2 is part of the Extramural Studies Program and provides you with a unique opportunity to increase your knowledge of animal industries outside of conventional clinical practice. It will help you to utilise and extend your knowledge, skill levels and professional behaviour in speciality areas of veterinary practices. The unit involves a one-week practical experience at a School-approved external commercial enterprise involving animal industries. Suitable enterprises include ones involving the major domestic species (excluding those involving dogs and cats), minor domestic species such as goats and alpacas, pet and livestock food manufacturing plants and commercial zoos. You will be under the supervision of an external supervisor who will liaise with the School, review the aims of the placement with you, and assess your performance via a standard report form. You are expected to fully participate in agreed activities whilst attending the placement, typically taking on the role of a full-time, supervised associate. You will be required to submit a reflective diary of your experiences as a personal record of your achievements. Supervisors are required to complete a Supervisor Report at the end of the placement. This will include information on your performance and attendance. 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. 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 two 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 https://www.sydney.edu.au/students/q-fever-vaccinations.html for more information on student vaccinations.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit School of Veterinary Science Academic Operations
Credit points 0
Prerequisites
? 
VETS6101 and VETS6102
Corequisites
? 
VETS6105
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

Basic knowledge of clinical veterinary practice, confidence in interactions with animals. All content of VETS6101, VETS6102, VETS6103, VETS6104, VETS6105

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Russell Bush, russell.bush@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 5 December 2025
Type Description Weight Due Length Use of AI
Peer or expert observation or supervision hurdle task Supervisor Report Form
Professional experience placement
0% Week 01 Variable AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Practical skill Placement Feedback Form
Survey of placement experience
0% Week 01 Variable AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
Portfolio or journal Reflective Diary
Participation
0% Week 01 Variable AI allowed
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

  • Supervisor Feedback: Supervisors are required to complete a Supervisor Report at the end of each placement. This will include information on your performance and attendance.
  • Daily Diary: For each placement you will be required to submit a reflective diary of your experiences as a personal record of your achievements. Daily diaries must be submitted via Canvas within 7 days of placemnt completion.  
  • Placement Feedback Form: Survey of placement experience.

Assessment Completion of the Industry Placement program will be dependent on successful completion of all placements. Completion of a placement requires the submission of all appropriate forms including a satisfactory Supervisor report form and completion and submission of a Daily Diary on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

Satisfactory or not satisfactory.

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

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:

nil

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.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
- During the placement students are encouraged to seek information regarding the management of the enterprise and, the potential role of the veterinarian in servicing the industry. Students are encouraged to organise two meetings with their nominated supervisor for the placement. Clinical practice (35 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3

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 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. Demonstrate entry level communication skills and professionalism.
  • LO2. Understand the practice and economics of common animal industries.
  • LO3. Handle animals in a safe and ethical manner.

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

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (D1Cs) - AVBC
25. Communicate effectively with clients, the public, professional colleagues, and responsible authorities, using language appropriate to the audience and context.
28. Work effectively as a member of a professional/ inter-professional team, fully recognising the contribution of each professional while promoting equity and inclusion.
30. Act professionally and ethically, compliant with legal and regulatory requirements of the relevant veterinary statutory body.
LO2
Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (D1Cs) - AVBC
37. Demonstrate fundamental knowledge of the organisation, management, business principles, legislation related to veterinary business(es), and personal financial management.
LO3
Australasian Veterinary Boards Council (D1Cs) - AVBC
38. Promote health and safety of patients, clients, colleagues and themselves in the veterinary setting, including applying risk management principles to practice.

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

Feedback is appreciated and considered.

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 two (2) 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

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.