COURSE STUDY GUIDE
SCIENCE INTERNSHIP (COURSEWORK)
SCNC2000
SCNC3000
SCNC8000
ANU COLLEGE OF HEALTH AND MEDICINE
ANU COLLEGE OF SCIENCE
SCIENCE TEACHING AND LEARNING CENTRE
Jan 2024
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OVERVIEW
The Science Internship program is an opportunity for you to gain industry experience during
your Science degree. Placements are typically with a Host organisation related to a field of
science, and you will be required to apply your technical skills and science training in a
professional context. An Internship is a great way to see what a career with a degree in a
Science field could look like, and will give you exposure to current industry and professional
practice.
The ANU College of Health and Medicine and ANU College of Science offer a limited number of
internship placements, and applications for these internship places are highly competitive.
Science Internship Courses
The Science Internship (Coursework) can be taken under one of three course codes listed in
Table 1.
Table 1: Science Internship course codes
Description Prerequisites Target audience
SCNC2000 72 units For undergraduate students to gain industry exposure during their degree
SCNC3000 96 units For undergraduate students to transition into industry
SCNC8000 Permission code For postgraduate students to gain industry exposure
Full details of eligibility requirements and learning outcomes of each of the courses offered can
be found on the Programs and Courses website ([Link]
Learning Outcomes
Full details of the learning outcomes for each of the Internship courses can be found on
Programs and Courses [Link]
In general, students who have successfully completed this course should be able to:
1. Demonstrate the ability to conduct a project with independence in the context of a
professional workplace.
2. Communicate clearly and coherently in a professional environment, both orally and in
writing.
3. Analyse, apply and synthesise scientific knowledge, data and evidence in a professional
context.
4. Exercise critical thinking and evidence-based judgment to enhance business and
industry-related activities.
5. Develop insight into how professional development opportunities can enhance a career in
Science and related disciplines.
These outcomes are slightly different for each course level, with higher levels requiring higher
levels of learning.
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Course Completion
Successful completion of all required tasks in the agreed timelines will result in a grade of CRS
(course requirements satisfied). Failure to complete all tasks to a satisfactory level will result in
a grade of NCN. See Guidance for Assessment Tasks for more details.
Project Initiation and Enrolment
Full details for starting an Internship can be found at
[Link] Once you have been selected for a placement with
the Host organisation, you should:
1. Identify and organise for an appropriate ANU supervisor from a field related to your
project.
2. Complete the Internship Placement Agreement and Placement Details forms, which
need to be signed by the Host supervisor, the ANU supervisor and yourself.
3. Complete the Enrolment Change form.
4. Return all the forms via email to [Link]@[Link] 3 weeks before your
start date.
Once these steps have been completed, the Science Student Administration office will enrol
you in the appropriate course code. Note that all students must attend a compulsory Internship
Induction Session prior to the start of your placement.
Expected Workload
Students undertaking a Science Internship should anticipate the time commitment shown in
Table 2. An agreement around placement hours and pattern should be discussed with your Host
supervisor and ANU supervisor prior to commencing the Internship.
Table 2: Expected breakdown of time commitment
Description 6-unit 12-unit Notes
Placement with host ~ 90 hours ~ 180 hours Suggested 1 day/week for a semester, or
equivalent
Independent research/study ~ 30 hours ~ 70 hours For related activities outside the placement
Career development program ~10 hours ~10 hours For ongoing support and enrichment. Includes
& reflection reflection.
Total 130 hours 260 hours
Career Development Program
The Career Development Program (CDP) is based on the Science Career Development
Framework, which encourages students to connect their studies to relevant areas, such as
industry & innovation, research & impact, policy & governance and teaching & learning. While on
placements, students undertaking a Science Internship will be required to undertake at least 8
hours of CDP activities.
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To support this, a fortnightly meeting will be held to enhance these CDP activities. These
meetings are not compulsory, but all Science Internship students are expected to attend, and
will make the accumulation of CDP hours easier. If you are in a seasonal session (i.e.
Summer/Winter), then please attend the overlapping sessions during the relevant semester. If
you have an unavoidable conflict, please contact the Science Internships Office in advance.
Sessions will not be recorded, and may require a small amount of preparation.
Each session will be held via Zoom according to the Timetable. The Zoom meeting details are:
• [Link]
• Meeting ID: 826 0922 9910 Password: 375055
A suggested list of CDP activities can be found under the Career Development Reflection
assessment item.
Roles of the Supervisors
During your Internship, you will have an ANU supervisor and a Host supervisor. It is your
responsibility to find an appropriate ANU supervisor before the commencement of your
Internship. It is expected that a meeting with the two supervisors and the student takes place
within the first week of commencement of the placement to align expectations around the
project.
The ANU supervisor should be someone who is familiar with and interested in the area of your
Internship. They will form the link between the Host organisation and the University and guide
you as an academic mentor throughout the placement. It is expected that you organise
consultation time with your ANU supervisor at least 4 times during the Internship. This can be
through real-time meetings, or appropriate alternatives. The ANU supervisor is expected to
uphold ANU policies and procedures regarding coursework assessment.
The Host organisation supervisor will provide the hands-on supervision and guidance in the
workplace for the duration of the Internship, and guide students through the appropriate
processes and any induction within the Host organisation. It is expected that the supervisor will
provide regular feedback on the student’s progress, directly to the student as a form of
professional development, and via monitoring from Science Internships.
You may nominate an Advisor for your project, either from ANU or elsewhere, who may bring
specialist knowledge that can help you with your placement. The Advisor does not take on an
assessment role, but can contribute to these discussions as needed.
Responsibility of Students
Students will be required to attend a compulsory induction session prior to commencing the
Internship, run by the Science Internships Office. You are encouraged to book an appointment
with ANU Careers to maximise your learning in the placement by providing further guidance in
professional behaviour in the workplace and effective communication. Induction sessions will be
organised at a time before your placement.
During the internship, students will be expected to act in a professional manner and work under
the guidance of the Host supervisor. Students should liaise with the Host supervisor on a
regular basis while completing the Internship.
Students will attend the Host premises as agreed and abide by the details listed in the
Internship Schedule. Students will be expected to follow any business conduct guidelines,
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induction processes, safety procedures or workplace directions as required by the Host and
specific Internship Schedule.
Students encountering any problems during their placement should, if appropriate, first address
these with the Host supervisor. If students feel this is not appropriate under certain
circumstances then issues should be raised with the ANU supervisor or the Science Internship
Convener ([Link]@[Link]).
Responsibility of Internships Office
The Internships Office is responsible for coordinating the agreements in place for the
placements, and for providing support for students and supervisors during the placement. The
Internships Office coordinates the Fortnightly Cohort Meetings during semester, and collating
and approving the final grades.
Absences While on Placement
In most cases, the work pattern of your placement will be negotiated between you and your
Host supervisor. However, if you will be absent without notice in your placement, such as being
sick or non-scheduled leave, please contact your Host supervisor and copy in
[Link]@[Link].
Surveys and Feedback
Over the course of your placement, we will request that you provide feedback on your internship
experience. For students undertaking an internship during semester, we will circulate short
surveys in weeks 3, 6 and the first week of exams. For students completing internships during
non-standard sessions, we do not have a formal survey, but instead request that you provide
feedback at an appropriate time.
The table below provides a brief summary of each, and our intentions behind them:
Description Timing Intent
Settling in survey ~20% through To check that you are settling in well with your
placement host, and that there are no major issues.
Week 3
Mid-placement feedback 50% through To stimulate formal feedback on your progress
placement between you and your host/ANU supervisors. The
feedback should focus on your project.
Week 6
Post-placement feedback After completion of To stimulate formal feedback on the completion of
placement your project from your host/ANU supervisors, and
to collect information about the effectiveness of
After week 12
the Science Internship Program more broadly.
We will not share responses you provide with your host or ANU supervisors without your written
permission. We also stress that these formal feedback checkpoints should accompany
discussion between yourself and the host supervisor, and encourage you to raise issues as they
arise, rather than waiting for a formal request.
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GUIDANCE FOR ASSESSMENT TASKS
Indicative Assessment
The Internship should centre on an agreed project that defines the bulk of your placement
activity. The intent of the assessment is to scaffold your experience, and should not be the
primary driver for the activity within your placement. All activities undertaken as part of the
Internship should be of value to your project, your Host organisation, or yourself. Where
possible, the assessment tasks should be an output of activities undertaken on the Internship,
rather than being ‘for the sake of assessment’.
We understand that each placement will be in a different context and with different
opportunities, constraints and priorities. The outputs and appropriate timing of your project will
depend on the placement. A suggested schedule of indicative assessment is shown in Table 3.
Table 3: Indicative assessment
Assessment Task Suggested Size Marker Suggested Timing
Project proposal ~1000 words or aligned ANU Supervisor Within two weeks from commencement of
with Host practice Host Supervisor placement, or no later than one-quarter of the
way through your placement.
Internship report ~3000-5000 words ANU Supervisor At the completion of placement as per date in
Host Supervisor your internship schedule or last day of teaching
within the semester, whichever is earliest.
Oral presentation ~20-30 minutes, or as ANU Supervisor At a time convenient to the Host and ANU
directed by host Host Supervisor supervisors, no later than 2 weeks after
internship report. Preferably at the Host
Organisation.
Career development 10 hours and Science Internship Ongoing through semester, compiled within 2
program & reflection ~1000 words Convener weeks of completion of internship report.
Variations to the timing or tasks listed in the indicative assessment must be agreed in writing
between the Student, ANU supervisor, Host supervisor and Science Internship Convener.
The total time commitment to the course should lie within the 130 hours indicated in the
Expected Workload section. Where students feel they will need to exceed this in order to
complete their placement assessment they should first raise the issue with their Host and ANU
supervisors to discuss the scope of the project and whether it should be revised.
If students are concerned about their own performance while on placement and are not
comfortable raising it with either their Host or ANU supervisor, they should reach out to the
Science Internships Office for guidance ([Link]@[Link]). Difficulties with
motivation, or feeling unsure about how to proceed with a placement is a very normal
experience for interns, and we can usually assist you in getting the most out of your placement
if issues are reported to us in a timely manner.
Grading
Assessment in the Science Internship courses is not marked. This is to reflect Industry practice,
where work is not marked, but benchmarked to an appropriate level. As a representative of
ANU, we expect work to be of high quality (Distinction level and above), and developing your
ability to benchmark the quality of your work in the context of your placement is a valuable
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experience whilst on your placement. If you are unsure, please talk to your Host or ANU
supervisor, or the Science Internships Office. As each assessment item is completed, a grade of
CRS (course requirement satisfied) will be noted against each assessment item in Wattle.
Submission
All written work should be submitted to Wattle, which is used to keep a record of your
submissions. In addition, please email your project proposal and written report to your Host and
ANU supervisors as well as the Science Internships Office ([Link]@[Link]).
Your career development reflection is not required to be shared with your Host and ANU
supervisors, and need only be submitted on Wattle. However, you may choose to share your
reflections where appropriate.
Human Ethics Considerations
Students should be aware that if they intend to conduct interviews with people or use a written
survey as part of an applied research project they will need to seek ethics permission from the
University Ethics Committee. Further information can be found at:
[Link]
Some organisations may also have an internal ethics committee. Please discuss with your Host
supervisor as to whether there are any additional processes required for your project.
Project Proposal
The project proposal should outline the scope of the project to be undertaken at the start of the
placement. It is recognised that the direction and focus of the project may change during the
Internship depending on findings and other factors outside of your control. The proposal should
be seen as an indication of intent, not necessarily a complete description of the final outcome.
There is no fixed template for the project proposal. Your Host may have an internal process for
proposing a project or developing a business case. It would be valuable for your experience to
follow and tailor these processes for your project. Use it as an opportunity to scope the project
you will undertake whilst on your placement, and set up the expectations with your supervisors.
Each proposal will cover different topics, but a place to start could be considering the following
prompts. These are not required, and should be tailored to your situation:
• Identification of project aims and goals
• An outline of roles and responsibilities of supervisors and yourself
• An indication of stakeholders or other project-enabling resources
• An indicative timeline of milestones or project phases
• A contingency plan in case milestones are not or cannot be met, or stretch goals
• Consideration of how difficult or sensitive situations could be resolved
• A risk assessment for aspects of your project
• An indication of your shared expectations for the placement
• Identification of any resources required for the successful completion of your project
• An indication of handover processes and artefacts, describing the exit conditions for your
work within the scope of the project
Please ensure that your ANU and Host Supervisors endorse your Project Proposal prior to
submission.
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Internship Report
The Science Internship requires the completion of a final report under the direct supervision of a
professional in a workplace and with guidance from the ANU supervisor. The written report
should be in a format most useful to your Host organisation – ideally, they will use your project
outcomes well after your placement is complete.
It is likely that throughout the placement you will develop a variety of resources that may be
valuable to the Host organisation that may not fit into the definition of a traditional report, and
may involve a mix of physical and digital media. In this light, you should discuss your intended
format and expectation around the final ‘work package’ with your supervisors.
Students who have undertaken Science Internships previously have produced artefacts such as:
• A scientific report, including executive summary, rationale, methods, results, conclusions,
recommendations and future research
• A research paper, written in the style of a literature research paper or essay in the
relevant area or discipline
• A scientific analysis, prepared for scientists or other professionals looking to understand
and repeat your analysis. This might include artefacts that you have developed, such as
apparatus, methodology or code
• A position paper, providing insights you’ve developed through the project for a broader
audience, such as a Conversation article or industrial-facing blog entry
• A business proposal, that outlines the business case for aspects of your work for the
application of funding or as part of an accelerator program
• A digital storymap or other platform-based documentation of a scientific analysis
• A portfolio of work, highlighting the various artefacts you have developed and how they
fit together
• A physical artefact, such as an object or body of work that displays the outputs of the
placement
• A repository of work, showcasing and containing the artefacts you have developed
• A collaborative report, where you can highlight your contribution through a rationale or
explainer
• A handover document, so that someone else can continue your project into the future
• Any combination or extension of these relevant to your Host or your science discipline
The report will be assessed by the ANU supervisor with input from the Host supervisor. You
should discuss their expectations for this throughout your project. To meet the CRS requirement
of the course, your Host and ANU supervisor must agree that you have demonstrated on your
placement the relevant learning outcomes:
• Undertaken an industry-based project and provided adequate background to understand
the nature of the project
• Communicated the outcomes of your project in a professional manner
• Demonstration of analysis, including efforts to consolidate and synthesise knowledge
relevant to your project
• Exercised critical thinking and judgement in the context of your project
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Oral Presentation
The Science Internship requires the completion of an oral presentation to a professional and
academic audience. Your presentation is an opportunity to showcase the work that you have
done within the Host organisation, and is a great opportunity for all the stakeholders of the
project to meet face-to-face. Generally, it is expected that the oral presentation will take place
at the Host institution to allow attendance and participation from staff not directly involved in
supervision. Please make sure that all attendees are introduced to one another during your
presentation.
As a guide, some points that you may cover in the presentation include:
• What was the goal or aim of your project?
• What is the current state of scientific knowledge related to your project?
• What activities did you undertake during your project, including phases and milestones?
• What are the outputs that your project has generated?
• What are the limitations of your work, or areas for future research?
• What have you learned, or what would you do differently in the future?
• Who do you need to acknowledge as part of the project?
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Career Development Program and Reflection
The Career Development Program is a flexible activity designed to enhance your awareness of
transferable industry skills after your Science Internship placement. During the placement, you
are required to collect ‘8 points’ of CDP Activity. The Career Development Program should be
undertaken across the duration of your placement. A guide on CDP Points and Activities are
shown in Table 4.
Table 4: CDP Points and Activities. Note: 1 point is approximately equivalent to 1 hour of work
CDP Points and Activity CDP Points and Activity – ANU Careers Toolkit
Attend the Science Internship Fortnightly Cohort Complete the Career Pulse Survey on the ANU
1 1
meetings (1 point per session) Careers Toolkit
Attend a relevant Careers Fair or other Complete Careers Core Capability 1 – Understanding
1 1
Employment event Yourself Part 1 on the ANU Careers Toolkit
Attend a workshop or appointment run by ANU Complete Careers Core Capability 1 – Understanding
1 1
Careers or ANU Academic Skills Yourself Part 2 on the ANU Careers Toolkit
Maintain a work log or diary over the course of Complete Careers Core Capability 2 – Understand
1 1
your internship the Labour Market on the ANU Careers Toolkit
Undertake professional development or training Complete Careers Core Capability 3 – Find and
1 1
at the Host organisation (max 2 points) Secure Work Parts 1 & 2 on the ANU Careers Toolkit
Complete Careers Core Capability 4 – Create and
Attend a professional networking event through
1 1 Maintain Work Parts 1 & 2 on the ANU Careers
the Host organisation (max 2 point for 2 hours)
Toolkit
Participate professional networking or training,
Improve your CV after completing the CV360
1 such as through the Canberra Innovation network 1
activity on the ANU Careers Toolkit
(max 2 points for 2 hours)
Develop your professional profile through a Use the Resume Builder activity to enhance your CV
1 1
relevant industry platform, such as LinkedIn on the ANU Careers Toolkit
Undertake a self-defined opportunity that meets Undertake an Interview360 assessment on the ANU
1 1
the intent of this task (max 2 points for 2 hours) Careers Toolkit
A complementary program of activity is organised during semester between the Science
Internships Office and ANU Careers during ‘odd weeks’ in semester to support the CDP
Activities, and is a great way to keep in touch with the Science Internships Office and collect
CDP points. These sessions will be advertised via Wattle, but include topics such as Science
Internship alumni advice, an Introduction to the ANU Careers Toolkit, a session on the
Understanding Yourself module, Building your Resume and CV and Reflections and next steps.
Submission of the CDP requires:
• A ~1000-word personal reflection based on the completion of CDP activities.
• Documented evidence of completion of 8 points of CDP activity. This could include
screenshots and artefacts depending on the nature of the activity, which may be
embedded in the reflection.
The purpose of the personal reflection is to reflect on your learning in the Internship as a
launching point for the next part of your career. The Reflection should not be a mere retelling of
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what happened, but should include insights about relating and applying judgement and
demonstrate your learning. ANU Academic Skills has a good resource on reflective writing. This
task should be built-up over the semester. Some formats students have used in the past include:
learning journals, blogs, opinion pieces, work diaries, job applications and selection criteria,
letters to future students, reflective essays. You can present this in any media format, including
written formats, video or audio, or any other format you believe appropriate to reflect on your
experience. If there are confidential elements, please discuss this with the Science Internship
Convener.
QUESTIONS?
E: [Link]@[Link]
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