Introduction to Professional Placement
| Module title | Introduction to Professional Placement |
|---|---|
| Module code | BIO1016 |
| Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Credits | |
| Module staff | Professor Mike Allen (Convenor) |
| Duration: Term | 1 | 2 | 3 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration: Weeks | 0 | 11 | 0 |
| Number students taking module (anticipated) | 40 |
|---|
Module description
This first year non-credit bearing module is for students on the ‘with Professional Placement’ pathway in Biosciences intending to undertake a year long placement as part of the four year degree pathway. The module provides you with both the opportunity and support to develop the employability and personal development skills needed to explore career opportunities and source and apply for a professional placement.
Delivery is through blended learning with a combination of lectures, workshops and e-learning units delivered by a range of professionals in the university. Completion of all sessions is mandatory.
Module aims - intentions of the module
This module aims to prepare you for your ‘with Professional Placement’ pathway, the tasks and activities relate to finding and securing a suitable placement for the third year of your degree.
The combination of lectures and e-learning units focus on career exploration, self-awareness of personal strengths and areas for development and skills needed for searching and applying for placements.
Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)
ILO: Module-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 1. Differentiate the employability skills (competencies) relevant to placements or graduate employment.
- 2. Identify and critically reflect on personal experiences that demonstrate relevant employability skills.
ILO: Discipline-specific skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 3. Locate and interpret information sources to identify academic and employability skills development opportunities on your degree.
- 4. Locate and interpret information sources to identify career options where your degree subject area is essential/desirable/useful.
ILO: Personal and key skills
On successfully completing the module you will be able to...
- 5. Appraise the purpose and benefits of undertaking a 12-month placement.
- 6. Locate appropriate services and resources to help with career planning and placement search.
- 7. Research, apply and compete for jobs/roles
- 8. Develop work-based skills e.g. team working, communication, organisation, resilience, business acumen, IT etc.
Syllabus plan
It is envisaged that the syllabus is likely to include some or all of the following topics, although precise content and order may vary;
Term 2 – 6 x 1 hour lectures/workshops
- Introduction to the ‘with Professional Placement’ programme and the benefits of placements;
- Self-Awareness – Understand your skills/strengths and how that could influence the placement you undertake or organisations you apply to
- Research skills – Developing your research skills for placements
- Creating your CV;
- Effective application forms and cover letters;
- Developing a LinkedIn Profile.
Attendance at all lectures and workshops is compulsory.
Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching Activities | Guided independent study | Placement / study abroad |
|---|---|---|
| 6 | 16 | 0 |
Details of learning activities and teaching methods
| Category | Hours of study time | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Learning and Teaching activity | 6 | Lectures & synchronous sessions. |
| Guided Independent Study | 16 | Individual participation in e-learning tasks, research of potential roles, CV building. |
Formative assessment
| Form of assessment | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|
| None | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Summative assessment (% of credit)
| Coursework | Written exams | Practical exams |
|---|---|---|
| 0 | 0 | 0 |
Details of summative assessment
| Form of assessment | % of credit | Size of the assessment (eg length / duration) | ILOs assessed | Feedback method |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| None | 0 | n/a | n/a | n/a |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 0 |
Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)
| Original form of assessment | Form of re-assessment | ILOs re-assessed | Timescale for re-assessment |
|---|---|---|---|
| None | n/a | n/a | n/a |
Indicative learning resources - Basic reading
Tristram Hooley and Korin Grant, You’re Hired! Graduate Career Handbook, Maximise your employability and get a graduate job, ISBN: 9781844556489
Indicative learning resources - Web based and electronic resources
Career Zone online careers resources:
Deciding: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/research/careerplanning/deciding/
Planning: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/research/careerplanning/planning/
Competing: http://www.exeter.ac.uk/careers/research/careerplanning/competing/
My Career Zone Digital: https://mycareerzone.careercentre.me/Members
Handshake: https://exeter.joinhandshake.co.uk/stu
| Credit value | |
|---|---|
| Module ECTS | 0 |
| Module pre-requisites | None |
| Module co-requisites | None |
| NQF level (module) | 6 |
| Available as distance learning? | No |
| Origin date | 28/03/2023 |
| Last revision date | 28/03/2023 |
