Course coordinator
Dr Philip Stewart
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2026 (16/02/2026 - 20/06/2026)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 4
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- The Environment School
Students will complete a minimum 270 hours undertaking industry placement in an organisation external to the University. Students will work with their placement host organisation to develop and complete a specific project that is both meaningful to the organisation and of sufficient technical content to meet the academic requirements of the course. This project will allow students to gain practical field-related experience while developing and enhancing skills in report writing and project management. Information about enrolling in a placement course, including registering your interest and application deadlines, can be found here: science.uq.edu.au/placements . Students will source their own placement for Course Coordinator approval.
Industry Placement isﾠaﾠperiod of continuous, structured, course-related experienceﾠin an organisationﾠinvolved in sustainable development, management of natural & rural resources,ﾠincluding protected areas, wildlife andﾠproduction enterprises, orﾠservice industries related to environmental management. It is offered in the sixth semester of the degree for full-time students or equivalent for part-time students.
Many students have been employed by their host organisation after completing their industry placement, so the course also presents an opportunity for obtaining employment and the foundation for a career in environmental management. Studentsﾠare encouraged to actively seek a placement with an organisation in an area that particularly interests them well before the semester begins. It is not possible to apply for credit for this course using past work in industry i.e., the placement must be pre-approved by UQ and must be undertaken during the semester of enrolment.
Primary responsibility forﾠfinding a suitable host organisation lies with the student. The Faculty of Science Placements Team may share details of potential opportunities via InPlace. Career development workshops are available in the semester preceding enrolment, to assist students in preparing application documents and preparing for interviews.
Prior to commencing placement, students are required to complete the 5 in 5 Student Workplace Safety module, a compulsory pre-placement requirement for all Faculty of Science students.
Course requirements
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
Completion of at least 16 units towards the MEnvMan or the MGIS by the semester of enrolment.
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
ENVM3102 (co-taught), ENVM3112 and ENVM3113.
Restrictions
Permission required to enrol. Please contact the School of the Environment (environment@enquire.uq.edu.au). More information can be found in the course description.
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Dr Philip Stewart
Guest lecturer
Ms Swastika Samanta
Tutor
Mr Hung Le
Ms Swastika Samanta
Ms Anuradhi Jayasinghe
Miss Shruti Joshi
Ms Susie Fifoot
Miss Chloe Dawson
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
A pre-placement Orientation session will be held prior to Week 1 of Semester 1. All students are encouraged to attend. The Course Coordinator will provide further information on the Assessment activities for the course at that session.
Aims and outcomes
This Course aims to provide students with practical field related experience in an organisation relating to environmental management. Students will gain experience in developing and completing a project which is of benefit to both them and the organisation. Students will also gain skills in producing a detailed final report, a recorded presentation and a poster on the project undertaken.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Demonstrate improved understanding of their preferred field of study and employment direction as well as relating theoretical knowledge to practice
LO2.
Demonstrate acquired practical skills and experience in a professional work environment including working with others and working independently
LO3.
Demonstrate project management skills including developing a project proposal and completing an agreed project (or projects) and presenting results within a specified time period
LO4.
Demonstrate an ability to comprehend and integrate with accepted workplace practices and policies as they apply to environmental management
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Project |
Project Plan
|
PASS/FAIL |
13/03/2026 2:00 pm |
| Poster |
Placement Project Poster
|
PASS/FAIL |
29/05/2026 2:00 pm |
| Project |
Placement Project Report
|
PASS/FAIL |
29/05/2026 2:00 pm |
| Performance |
Placement Supervisor Report
|
PASS/FAIL |
29/05/2026 2:00 pm |
Assessment details
Project Plan
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- PASS/FAIL
- Due date
13/03/2026 2:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
Task description
The purpose of this assessment item is to prepare a plan for your industry placement project. The Project Plan should detail the plan of approach for the project. It should be developed in consultation with your academic supervisor. It is a very important part of the industry placement process. Whilst the assessment task is not intended to be onerous, it is important to do well so that you have a clear plan for your project.
Project Plan Instructions, Format and Word Limits
- Each student is required to complete a ‘Project Plan’ using the format outlined on Blackboard.
- This is an individual assessment. Students must submit their own work.
- Students are to write and submit their Project Plan in their own document (word or pdf).
- Structure your Project Plan according to the template provided on Blackboard with each section titled with the Section heading listed in the template.
- There is no word limit per se, but recommended word lengths for relevant sections are provided below.
Please see Blackboard for full assessment details
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Online submission by Turnitin only by the due date and time. Refer to Blackboard for the submission link. No hard copy or assignment cover sheets are required. Submission via email is not accepted.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Assessments must be completed by the end of the student’s placement and while on placement, students will have the support from their industry placement organisation
Late submission
This assessment is graded on a pass/fail basis, and there is no system for applying "mark" penalties. If the assessment item is not submitted by the submission due date, it will be considered a non-submission resulting in a zero shown as a "fail" result.
Placement Project Poster
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Poster
- Weight
- PASS/FAIL
- Due date
29/05/2026 2:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
Task description
In this assessment activity you are required to prepare a poster about your Industry Placement project. Subject to commercial confidentiality constraints, your poster may be displayed at next year’s ‘Industry Placement Poster Showcase Event’ convened by the school, that will be attended by incoming Industry Placement students, host organisations and employers (past, current and future), UQ staff and your peers. It is a good opportunity to showcase your work. In those sorts of forums and events, Posters are a useful way of communicating your work. Good posters strike an effective balance between attention-grabbing graphics and important detail to engage browsing attendees at the event.
Poster Instructions, Format and Word Limits
- Each student is required to complete a ‘Poster’ as per the following instructions.
- This is an individual assessment. Students must submit their own work.
- For some tips on what makes a good scientific poster see:
https://web.library.uq.edu.au/node/4290/4 (UQ Library)
https://guides.nyu.edu/posters
https://hsp.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/ScientificPosters.pdf
- Students should submit their poster in PowerPoint or PDF.
- Good quality posters do not just display thousands of words. They offer a concise summary, usually with some meaningful and compelling graphics, and work to attract and engage readers.
- There will be some examples of good posters from previous cohorts of the course available for your review on the course Blackboard site.
Your poster should include:
- The title of your project
- An introduction to your project highlighting why it is important
- A summary of your methods
- A summary of your results
- Summary of your recommendations and key findings
- Any relevant acknowledgements
- Your name
Submission Method and Marking System
- This assignment is assessed as PASS/FAIL.
- The Course Coordinator may request students to revise and resubmit the assignment if it is incomplete, until it meets Pass standards (see criteria).
- Make your submission as a word document or pdf.
- Make your submission via the Turnitin link on the course blackboard page before the due date.
- Include your name on the poster.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Online submission by Turnitin only by the due date and time. Refer to Blackboard for the submission link. No hard copy or assignment cover sheets are required. Submission via email is not accepted.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Assessments must be completed by the end of the student’s placement and while on placement, students will have the support from their industry placement organisation.
Late submission
This assessment is graded on a pass/fail basis, and there is no system for applying "mark" penalties. If the assessment item is not submitted by the submission due date, it will be considered a non-submission resulting in a zero shown as a "fail" result.
Placement Project Report
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- PASS/FAIL
- Due date
29/05/2026 2:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific.
Task description
Note - The assessment for ENVM7535 is different to the assessment for ENVM3102. Please be sure to read, understand and follow the assessment instructions detailed in the ENVM7535 course profile.
The Project Report required in this assessment should be considered as the main academic output of the course. The Project Report should provide a concise review of your Industry Placement Project. It should serve to complement any reports that you prepare for your Host Organisation as part of the Placement and as a record of your industry placement experience.
Project Report Instructions, Format and Word Limits
- Each student is required to complete a ‘Project Report’ using the format outlined in the table below.
- This is an individual assessment. Students must submit their own work.
- Students are to write and submit their Project Report in their own document (word or pdf).
- Structure your Project Plan according to the template provided below, with each section titled with the Section heading listed in the table below.
- There is no word limit per se, but recommended word lengths for relevant sections are provided below. The overall recommended word limit is 4000 words excluding title, abstract, citations and references, tables, figures, other illustrations, footnotes, and attachments. There is no penalty for exceeding the recommended word limit.
The full assessment details will be found in the courses Blackboard site in the Assessments folder.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Translation (MT) are emerging tools that may support students in completing this assessment task. Students may appropriately use AI and/or MT in completing this assessment task. Students must clearly reference any use of AI or MT in each instance. A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Online submission by Turnitin only by the due date and time. Refer to Blackboard for the submission link. No hard copy or assignment cover sheets are required. Submission via email is not accepted.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Assessments must be completed by the end of the student’s placement and while on placement, students will have the support from their industry placement organisation
Late submission
This assessment is graded on a pass/fail basis, and there is no system for applying "mark" penalties. If the assessment item is not submitted by the submission due date, it will be considered a non-submission resulting in a zero shown as a "fail" result.
Placement Supervisor Report
- Online
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Performance
- Weight
- PASS/FAIL
- Due date
29/05/2026 2:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Student specific, Secure.
Task description
Prior to completion of your placement, the Faculty of Science Placements Team will send a request via email to your placement supervisor to complete an assessment of your performance in the workplace. Supervisors will submit this report directly to UQ as per instructions in the email. Supervisors will be encouraged to use the report as an opportunity to conduct a formal feedback session with you. The feedback will be released to students following review by UQ.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Placement supervisor to submit report directly to UQ.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Supervisors will submit this piece of assessment. Extension applications are not applicable to students.
Late submission
This assessment is graded on a pass/fail basis, and there is no system for applying "mark" penalties. If the assessment item is not submitted by the submission due date outlined in the course profile, it will be considered a non-submission, resulting in a "fail".
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Pass/Fails | Description |
|---|---|
| P |
Course grade description: To achieve a grade of P in this course, a student must meet all of the following criteria: 1. Complete and submit ALLﾠassessment items;ﾠ 2. Be awarded a Pass for each of the four (4) Pass/Fail assessment items; 3. Full attendance and participation at placement for a minimum of 270 hours. |
| F |
Course grade description: A student who does not meet all of the criteria to be awarded a P will be awarded an N. |
Additional course grading information
Students must receive a grade of Pass in every assessment activity to Pass the course.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Should you fail a course with a non-graded ‘N’, you may be eligible for supplementary assessment.
Refer to my.UQ for information on supplementary assessment and how to apply. Supplementary assessment provides an additional opportunity to demonstrate you have achieved all the required learning outcomes for a course.
If you apply and are granted supplementary assessment, the type of supplementary assessment set will consider which learning outcome(s) have not been met. Supplementary assessment can take any form (such as a written report, oral presentation, examination or other appropriate assessment) and may test specific learning outcomes tailored to the individual student, or all learning outcomes.
To receive a passing grade of NSP, you must obtain a mark of 50% or more on the supplementary assessment.
Additional assessment information
Applications for Extensions to Assessment Due Dates
Read the information contained in the following links carefully before submitting an application for extension to assessment due date.
For guidance on applying for an extension, information is available here: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/exams-and-assessment/applying-assessment-extension
For the policy relating to extensions, information is available here (Part D): https://policies.uq.edu.au/document/view-current.php?id=184
Please note the University's requirements for medical certificates here: https://my.uq.edu.au/information-and-services/manage-my-program/uq-policies-and-rules/requirements-medical-certificates
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
When applying for a placement opportunity, use the career development resources available on the Science Placements Blackboard site to assist with application documents and interview preparation. Visit science.uq.edu.au/placements to join the Blackboard site.
Thisﾠfact sheet (login required) outlines the University's insurance coverage for students undertaking APPROVED work-integrated learning placements. You may also wish to provide potential host organisations with a copy of the latest UQ Student Activities Insurance letter, which you can download from theﾠUQ Insurance Services website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
O-week (16 Feb - 22 Feb) |
General contact hours |
Orientation Workshop O Week - Introductory session for all students to discuss expectations for the placement and strategies for approaching the assigned project.
Both sessions are compulsory. In addition to this session, students are required to complete the 'Crash Course into Employer Expectations' module and view the 'Health, Safety and Wellness on placement' video. Both items are found under Learning Resources on the course Blackboard site. |
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Placement |
Industry Placement Students will attend the workplace to undertake project-related tasks and other productive work for the placement provider during agreed hours for the duration of semester. Students must complete a minimum of 270 hours in the workplace. For unpaid placements, a maximum of 300 hours can be completed as part of this course under the Fair Work Act. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 12 |
Workshop |
Group meetings with academic supervisors (Workshop) Students are required to attend FOUR group workshop-style meetings with their supervisors during the semester. The specific dates and times will be organised directly between the academic supervisor and their assigned groups. The objectives of the meetings are to workshop ideas, suggestions and feedback for each assessment item. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
- AI for Assessment Guide
- Recording of Teaching Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course: