Science Work Placement Course

To apply for SCIF3199, you need to have:

• completed a minimum of 48 units of credit
• a credit WAM (65 or above)
• no more than 1 fail
• space in your program for a science or free elective.

Students who have declared a Psychology major, or are enrolled in a Psychology or Vision Science program are not eligible to enrol in SCIF3199.

IMPORTANT!

Students must have their internship approved and enrolment finalised before their internship starts. 

Students must also meet the standard UNSW enrolment deadlines. 

The SCIF3199 internship involves a work placement of a minimum of 105 hours (three weeks full-time or spread out part-time across a term) in a single organisation.

You’ll be working as an intern while gaining experience of the science and technology-related work conducted in that organisation. 

You build on your existing skills, with guidance from a work placement supervisor.

You need to contribute productively to a project or series of activities set up by the organisation.

Your participation in the internship will enable you to gain experience while observing the way an organisation works. You'll understand its structure and how projects and teams are arranged to achieve their goals.

The nature of your work experience depends on the organisation you’re placed with.

Interns may spend time shadowing members of staff in science-related roles, contributing in an assisting capacity to a range of activities.

As an intern, you may be asked to be a team member on a project for the duration of the internship. It may be an ongoing project, or one that is completed during the internship.

Interns may be assigned to an individual project that can be completed within the hours of the placement.

Specific tasks may be largely office-based, including:

• literature searches
• data entry
• preparation of figures for presentation
• marketing materials.

There may be also opportunities for:

• hands-on laboratory work
• field-based activities.

Students may apply for SCIF3199 (previously coded SCIF2199) in any academic term, including summer term. 

There are two pathways for applying for SCIF3199:

1. Faculty Approved Work Placements
2. Student Sourced Placements.

Your UNSW Science work placement is supported by coursework and assessments. This will help you to prepare for the workplace, develop your professional skills and reflect on your professional experience. 

Hear from UNSW Maths student Melanie Kirton, who completed the Science Work Placement course. 

If you have any questions about the SCIF3199 Science Work Placement course please contact us at science.industry@unsw.edu.au.