UWA Handbook 2025

Unit Overview

Description

This unit comprises a work placement in an active academic research laboratory, supported by a short series of seminars and personal meetings with the direct research supervisor in which each student is able to discuss their work placement.

Students undertake a work placement of 60 hours in the laboratory, with an additional 20 hours of seminars, personal meetings and laboratory (group) meetings. They acquire an understanding of the conventions of scientific research design and communication, as well as insight into research culture in a professional environment.

Students will develop skills in experimental design, analysis, interpretation and presentation through observation of and participation in research activities. They will also acquire hands on technical skills in laboratory techniques or other activities as relevant to individual projects.

Students must complete all three assessment components to pass the unit

Students must contact the unit coordinators to discuss project opportunities before enrolling in the unit.

Credit

6 points

Offering
(see Timetable)

Availability	Location	Mode
Semester 1	UWA (Perth)	Face to face
Semester 2	UWA (Perth)	Face to face

Details for undergraduate courses

• Level 2 elective

Outcomes

Students are able to (1) discuss and critically evaluate the scientific literature in their field; (2) demonstrate an understanding of experimental design; (3) apply discipline appropriate skills in conducting laboratory research; and (4) integrate existing knowledge to formulate new hypotheses..

Assessment

Indicative assessments in this unit are as follows: (1) literature review/oral presentation; (2) laboratory practicum/participation; and (3) reflection. Further information is available in the unit outline.

To pass this unit, a student must: (a) achieve an overall mark of 50 per cent or higher for the unit; and (b) achieve the requisite requirements(s) or a mark of 50 per cent or greater, whichever is higher and specified in the unit outline, for the laboratory practicum/participation component.

This unit is assessed on an ungraded pass/ungraded failed basis. All assessment items must be successfully completed.

Student may be offered supplementary assessment in this unit if they meet the eligibility criteria.

Unit Coordinator(s)

Associate Professor Jennifer Rodger and Dr Jason Kennington

Unit rules

Prerequisites

Successful completion of

two level 1 6 points Unit(s) BIOL1130 Frontiers in Biology
or BIOL1131 Plant and Animal Biology
or SCIE1106 Molecular Biology of the Cell
or BIOC1001 Introductory Cellular Biochemistry

and Successful completion of

48 points

Contact hours

Weekly progress meetings with supervisor (up to 1 hour per week for 10 weeks)
Observe and assist with laboratory work (6 hours per week for 10 weeks)
Attend regular lab meetings with lab group and relevant research seminars (up to 2 hour per week for 10 weeks)
Self-study research activities including reading and literature searches up to 6 hours per week for 10 weeks

Note

All placements for this unit must be 100% voluntary and unpaid

Students must contact the unit coordinators to discuss project opportunities before enrolling in the unit.

Enrolment is subject to satisfactory interview with unit coordinator and availability of suitable supervisor.