Students

PICT8092 – National Security in Practice

2026 – Session 2, In person-fieldwork, North Ryde

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff
Mariam Farida
mariam.farida@mq.edu.au
Consuelo Martinez Reyes
consuelo.martinezreyes@mq.edu.au
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MCT OR MCyberSecAnalysis OR MSSS OR MStrategySec OR GradCertStrategicPolicy
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

A career in the national security landscape requires the development of skills in authentic practice environments. This unit offers students the opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge they have acquired in one of three contexts: a scenario-based simulation, an internship, or a study tour. Each option is designed to immerse students in real-world or practice-based environments where they can engage directly with the complexities of national security work. Students will gain hands-on experience while refining, expanding, and testing their ability to translate theory into practice. Through collaborative tasks, professional engagement, and reflective analysis, students will encounter the operational, ethical, and strategic dimensions of working in national security. The unit emphasises adaptability, professional conduct, and effective communication across multiple settings. On successful completion, students will have applied their knowledge in practical contexts, demonstrated workplace readiness, and produced professional outputs that respond to national security challenges.

 

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: Apply advanced knowledge and skills to address complex national security challenges in real-world or practice-based environments.
  • ULO2: Translate theoretical concepts into practical strategies and actions within dynamic national security settings.
  • ULO3: Demonstrate ethical judgment, professional conduct, and adaptability in operational and collaborative national security contexts.
  • ULO4: Collaborate with peers and colleagues to produce effective, practice-informed outputs that respond to national security priorities.

General Assessment Information

Rubrics and indicative samples are provided in iLearn as additional guidance on standards of achievement for different assessment types. Submission of most tasks is via iLearn, but there maybe use of other submission platforms, such as an e-book. All assessment tasks are compulsory and must be submitted on time. Assignment tasks handed in early will not be marked and returned before the due date. Late Assessment Submission Penalty Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (of the total possible mark) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a mark of ‘0’ (zero) will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical issue. This late penalty will apply to non-timed sensitive assessment (incl essays, reports, posters, portfolios, journals, recordings etc). Late submission of time sensitive tasks (such as tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, scheduled practical assessments/labs etc) will only be addressed by the unit convenor in a Special Consideration application. Special Consideration outcome may result in a new question or topic. The granting of extensions is subject to the university’s Special Consideration Policy. Extensions will not be granted by unit conveners or tutors, but must be lodged through Special Consideration: https://students.mq.edu.au/study/my-study-program/special-consideration Reassessment of Assignments during the semester Macquarie University operates a Grade Appeal Policy in cases where students feel their work was graded inappropriately: http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html In accordance with the Grade Appeal Policy, individual works are not subject to regrading.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due Groupwork/Individual Short Extension AI Approach
Report 50% No Week 12 Individual No
Group Presentation 50% No Exam Period Group No

Report

Assessment Type 1: Work-integrated task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Week 12
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual: Individual
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach:

Students will complete a report based on their practical experience.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply advanced knowledge and skills to address complex national security challenges in real-world or practice-based environments.
  • Translate theoretical concepts into practical strategies and actions within dynamic national security settings.

Group Presentation

Assessment Type 1: Work-integrated task
Indicative Time on Task 2: 30 hours
Due: Exam Period
Weighting: 50%
Groupwork/Individual: Group
Short extension 3: No
AI Approach:

This group presentation calls upon students' to compare their professional experiences and ethical conduct against the theory and knowledge they have gain previous in the course.  
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply advanced knowledge and skills to address complex national security challenges in real-world or practice-based environments.
  • Translate theoretical concepts into practical strategies and actions within dynamic national security settings.
  • Demonstrate ethical judgment, professional conduct, and adaptability in operational and collaborative national security contexts.
  • Collaborate with peers and colleagues to produce effective, practice-informed outputs that respond to national security priorities.

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
  • Academic Success 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.

3 An automatic short extension is available for some assessments. Apply through the Service Connect Portal.

Delivery and Resources

Lecture materials are available in the Echo box on the right side of the screen. There will also be a PowerPoint presentation uploaded each week as a companion to the lecture. This will be found under the weekly tabs below. Lectures and PowerPoint slides will be uploaded every week. 

 

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:

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.

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:

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 https://students.mq.edu.au/support/technology/service-desk. 

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.

Unit information based on version 2026.05 of the Handbook