Students
BIOL8601 – Conservation Internship
2025 – Session 1, In person-placement, North Ryde
General Information
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| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Fleur Ponton
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
20
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
Admission to MConBiol and 20cp from 8000-level Biology units
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit enables the student to acquire experience in conservation practice by undertaking an internship under academic supervision, or in conjunction with a private or public organisation within the conservation sector. The possible topics for the internship are broad in scope as long as work is associated with the conservation of biodiversity. Students must organise their project and supervisor well before commencing this unit. Learning in this unit enhances student understanding of global challenges identified by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UNSDGs) Life on Land |
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- ULO1: Demonstrate professionalism by adhering to all workplace standards, particularly with regard to ethics, occupational health and safety, and legal requirements.
- ULO2: Plan and implement an internship project that clearly articulates the aims, methods and outcomes of work that contributes to the conservation of biodiversity.
- ULO3: Demonstrate effective time and project management skills by working independently to collect scientific data and by documenting these efforts using a project notebook.
- ULO4: Communicate the conservation outcomes of the internship in written form by constructing a coherent, well structured document.
- ULO5: Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the scientific, social, and legal dimensions of an issue of particular relevance to the conservation sector.
General Assessment Information
To pass this unit you need to achieve a total mark equal to or greater than 50% across all assessments.
Late assessment submission penalty: Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark of the task) will be applied for each day a written report or presentation not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. The submission time for all uploaded assessments is 11:55 pm. A 1-hour grace period will be provided to students who experience a technical concern. For any late submission of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled assessments/presentations, please apply for Special Consideration.
The Special Consideration Policy aims to support students who have been impacted by short-term circumstances or events that are serious, unavoidable and significantly disruptive, and which may affect their performance in assessment. Written Assessments: If you experience circumstances or events that affect your ability to complete the written assessments in this unit on time, please inform the convenor and submit a Special Consideration request through ask.mq.edu.au
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Hurdle | Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project proposal | 10% | No | 17/03/2025 |
| Poster | 15% | No | 12/05/2025 |
| Supervisor Report | 25% | No | 09/06/2025 |
| Internship Report | 50% | No | 09/06/2025 |
Project proposal
Assessment Type 1: Design Task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 5 hours
Due: 17/03/2025
Weighting: 10%
Develop a short proposal explaining the work that you will undertake
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Plan and implement an internship project that clearly articulates the aims, methods and outcomes of work that contributes to the conservation of biodiversity.
- Demonstrate effective time and project management skills by working independently to collect scientific data and by documenting these efforts using a project notebook.
Poster
Assessment Type 1: Poster
Indicative Time on Task 2: 10 hours
Due: 12/05/2025
Weighting: 15%
Develop a poster outlining your project and methodology.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate professionalism by adhering to all workplace standards, particularly with regard to ethics, occupational health and safety, and legal requirements.
- Plan and implement an internship project that clearly articulates the aims, methods and outcomes of work that contributes to the conservation of biodiversity.
- Demonstrate effective time and project management skills by working independently to collect scientific data and by documenting these efforts using a project notebook.
- Communicate the conservation outcomes of the internship in written form by constructing a coherent, well structured document.
Supervisor Report
Assessment Type 1: Performance
Indicative Time on Task 2: 0 hours
Due: 09/06/2025
Weighting: 25%
Supervisors will provide a report on student performance, progress, abilities acquired and attendance throughout placement.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate professionalism by adhering to all workplace standards, particularly with regard to ethics, occupational health and safety, and legal requirements.
- Plan and implement an internship project that clearly articulates the aims, methods and outcomes of work that contributes to the conservation of biodiversity.
- Demonstrate effective time and project management skills by working independently to collect scientific data and by documenting these efforts using a project notebook.
- Communicate the conservation outcomes of the internship in written form by constructing a coherent, well structured document.
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the scientific, social, and legal dimensions of an issue of particular relevance to the conservation sector.
Internship Report
Assessment Type 1: Report
Indicative Time on Task 2: 45 hours
Due: 09/06/2025
Weighting: 50%
Describe the full internship in the form of a report or scientific paper
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Plan and implement an internship project that clearly articulates the aims, methods and outcomes of work that contributes to the conservation of biodiversity.
- Demonstrate effective time and project management skills by working independently to collect scientific data and by documenting these efforts using a project notebook.
- Communicate the conservation outcomes of the internship in written form by constructing a coherent, well structured document.
- Demonstrate a thorough understanding of the scientific, social, and legal dimensions of an issue of particular relevance to the conservation sector.
1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:
- the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
- the Writing Centre for academic skills support.
2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation
Delivery and Resources
We will communicate with you via your university email and through announcements on iLearn. Queries to convenors can either be placed on the iLearn discussion board or sent to the unit convenor via the contact email on iLearn.
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
- Academic Appeals Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progression Policy
- Assessment Policy
- Fitness to Practice Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Complaints Resolution Procedure for Students and Members of the Public
- Special Consideration Policy
Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.
To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct
Results
Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au
Academic Integrity
At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Academic Success
Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.
- Workshops
- Chat with a WriteWISE peer writing leader
- Access StudyWISE
- Upload an assignment to Studiosity
- Complete the Academic Integrity Module
The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources.
Student Services and Support
Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:
- IT Support
- Accessibility and disability support with study
- Mental health support
- Safety support to respond to bullying, harassment, sexual harassment and sexual assault
- Social support including information about finances, tenancy and legal issues
- Student Advocacy provides independent advice on MQ policies, procedures, and processes
Student Enquiries
Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Changes from Previous Offering
We value student feedback to be able to continually improve the way we offer our units. As such we encourage students to provide constructive feedback via student surveys, to the teaching staff directly, or via the FSE Student Experience & Feedback link in the iLearn page.
Unit information based on version 2025.04 of the Handbook