School of Physical and Geographical Sciences  
 
 
ESC-20051 Work Placement Module  
Co-ordinator: Dr Alix Cage   Tel:33177  
Teaching Team: Dr Katie  Szkornik, Mrs Emma  Harvey, Dr Alix  Cage, Dr Joanna  Wright, Miss Keziah  Stott, Mrs Katharine  England,  Anthony  Gallagher  
Lecture Time: See Timetable...  
Level: 2 Credits: 15 Study Hours: 150  
School Office:
 
 
 
Programme/Approved Electives for
None
Available as a Free Standing Elective
No
Barred Combinations
Only available in 2011/12 to BSc Environment and Sustainability.

Prerequisites
Progression into 2nd year BSc Environment and Sustainability.

Description

In a competitive job market, understanding how the professional work place functions, along with well developed employability skills, are key to a graduate securing employment. During this module, students will undertake a work-based learning internship with a company or organisation where they will be supported in developing effective professional practices through training in generic and specific employability skills and through developing independent reflective learning practices to enhance their continuing professional development in the context of their own working environment. Students will also gain a much greater understanding of the environment and sustainability employment sector.
Aims
To provide students with experience of work in the environment and sustainability sector including familiarisation with the professional work environment. The module will be underpinned by employability skills training, reflective assessment and support from academic tutors.
Intended Learning Outcomes
Carry out a personal skills audit in relation to their work placement and identify their skills gaps and translate these into achievable learning outcomes. will be achieved by assessments: 1
Relate academic theory learnt as part of the taught degree to real situations in the work place. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2,3
Develop identified work-related skills through practice. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2
Critically evaluate their learning from the work placement. will be achieved by assessments: 2, 3
Enhance their career knowledge. will be achieved by assessments: 1, 2, 3
Study hours
Minimum 75 hours internship work
30 hours Independent internship preparation and research/assessment
5 hours workshops
40 hours assessment preparation
Description of Module Assessment
01: Portfolio weighted 20%
Internship preparation
As part of the work placement module, students will seek out and arrange their own placement with a company or organisation, with support from an academic tutor. The pre-placement submission is a portfolio assessment which will comprise of: i) CV and covering letters to the company (20%); ii) a set of learning outcomes agreed between the student and the placement company (30%); iii) a reflection by the student on what employability skills they hope to gain from the learning outcomes (30%) and iv) induction and health and safety checklists from the placement company (20%).
02: Report weighted 60%
Final placement report
The final 3,000 word report will comprise a reflective report on the work placement experience, documenting week by week activities and reflection on skills gained from those activities and how they contribute to the learning outcomes set in assessment 1 (90%). The report will also include a performance mark based on comments collected from the placement host (10%).
03: Presentation weighted 20%
Presentation
Students will give a 10 minute presentation based on their activities and experience whilst on placement and contextualise how their learning outcomes were achieved.
Version: (1.06B) Updated: 03/Mar/2013

This document is the definitive current source of information about this module and supersedes any other information.