Unit Description and General Aims

Students studying an EIT Bachelor of Science (BSC) degree are required to complete 240 hours of industrial work experience (6 weeks full-time equivalent), with one or more companies, related to their studied engineering specialisation and under the supervision of a professional engineer. This cumulative work experience is denoted as BSC210 Industrial Experience; a mandatory zero credit unit, which must be completed to the satisfaction of assessors prior to graduation.

Students are required to arrange and undertake industrial work experience (paid or unpaid) in their own time. Upon completion, all items on the assessment checklist are to be submitted, including a logbook to document including work hours, reflection on tasks completed, a supervisor review, a report; and presentation demonstrating what was learned in the engineering workplace and reflecting upon preparedness for professional practice as an engineer.

The primary objective of the industrial experience unit is to ensure that students have had the opportunity to learn about real situations in engineering practice; by working both independently, and in groups, and contributing to professional work related to their engineering specialisation in a meaningful way. Work experience may be achieved in numerous ways ranging from roles as junior members of teams, to tasks that form part of discrete engineering projects.

Through participation, observation, and engagement, students will enhance their understanding of how organisations function, put engineering theory and concepts learned in the classroom into practice, develop their professional competencies, gain perspective on the realities of practice, and develop their judgement, innovation and problem-solving skills.

In addition to understanding the company structure and activities, the student will be exposed to organisational policy and culture, interact with employees and other engineering disciplines, familiarise themselves with organisational communication procedures, and obtain insight and practical aptitude regarding projects; from the planning phase to completion.

Students undertaking work placement to complete 240h industrial experience should not be allowed to apply for recognition of prior learning (RPL).

Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate knowledge of how industrial organizations function, in terms of their structure, hierarchy, and operation.
   Bloom's Level 2
2. Work independently and in groups to identify, propose, plan, and design an appropriate solution to practical problems/projects.
   Bloom's Level 6
3. Provide reasoned solutions to business problems and projects geared to real work situations.
   Bloom's Level 6
4. Acquire sought-after transferable skills by working on real-world engineering problems and gain access to the latest technologies.
   Bloom's Level 3
5. Develop professional competencies in their chosen discipline.
   Bloom's Level 3
6. Document engineering and professional practice skills acquired in the workplace.
   Bloom's Level 4
7. Implement solutions to the satisfaction of the academic and industrial supervisor.
   Bloom's Level 3
8. Reflect on the work experience to a point where they can adequately critique and defend aspects of their work experience.
   Bloom's Level 5

Student assessment

Prescribed and Recommended Readings

Required Reading:

• BSC210_Industrial_Experience_Assessment_Checklist
• BSC210_Industrial_Experience_Student_Guide
• BSC210_Industrial_Experience_Employer's_Guide
• BSC210_Industrial_Experience_Supervisor_Review
• BSC210_Assessment_Industrial_Experience_Report
• BSC210_Industrial_Experience_MOU_for_Employers
• BSC210_Industrial_Experience_Logbook

Reference Materials:

• EIT IEEE Referencing and Style Guide

Software/Hardware Used

Software

• Software: N/A
• Version: N/A
• Instructions:  N/A
• Additional resources or files: N/A

Hardware

• N/A

Unit Changes Based on Student Feedback