Forest Internship Project

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2009:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

This subject involves definition and development of an industry-related project, and develops skills in project management, problem solving and planning and reporting investigations. The subject aims to provide students with a high-level employment experience with government, industry or NGO. Students will develop a good understanding of employer expectations of forest science graduates in the work environment and the skills required to function with excellence in the workplace.

Students are required to attend a series of seminars delivered on project design, management and communication strategies, including case studies. Students will then define their particular project. Each student prepares a project proposal that includes methodology and approach, and covers the relevant literature background. This project proposal will be developed in close consultation with the Industry Partner and may relate toan applied scientific, economic or sociological or managerial topic. This involves establishing base knowledge in the relevant area; definition of the issue; analysis of the approaches normally taken by industry to address such problems and the degree of success normally attained.

Students will then spend a period of four to six weeks in placement with a forest agency, industry or non-governmental organisation to work on the proposed project. Students will work in close collaboration with the Industry Partner supervisor and will consult with the academic advisors. A project report is submitted by each student and an oral presentation is presented at completion to an audience including industry members.

Assignments

1. Project plan (25%) - approximately 1500 words. Due one week before the start of the Industry placement. Needs to contain: background information and literature review, aims and objectives, proposed methods, field sites, data resources etc., timetable.
2. Written assignment (50%) - approximately 5000 words. Due at the end of the placement period. Structured as a scientific paper (Introduction, Materials and Methods, Results, Discussion, References) unless inappropriate in project context.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.