CQUniversity Unit Profile
BUSN11016 Introduction to Study and Professional Practice
Introduction to Study and Professional Practice
All details in this unit profile for BUSN11016 have been officially approved by CQUniversity and represent a learning partnership between the University and you (our student).
The information will not be changed unless absolutely necessary and any change will be clearly indicated by an approved correction included in the profile.
General Information

Overview

This unit supports you to identify and develop core professional practices and skills required by all graduates to succeed in the future world of work. You will learn about core foundation disciplines; develop study, organisational and planning skills; and learn about your strengths and weaknesses. You will develop your understanding of how these are connected to future career choices. You will learn about your chosen profession and career options and plan your course and overall study path to build the knowledge and skills to reach your desired career outcomes. Throughout this unit, your academic, critical and creative thinking skills will be enhanced so that you can effectively engage in future studies. You will commence an e-portfolio in this unit, that you will build upon throughout your course. The e-portfolio will record discipline-based contextual practice that will prepare you well for study, work, and engagement as a globally-aware citizen who makes a contribution to communities and industry.

Details

Career Level: Undergraduate
Unit Level: Level 1
Credit Points: 6
Student Contribution Band: 10
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load: 0.125

Pre-requisites or Co-requisites

There are no requisites for this unit.

Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).

Offerings For Term 1 - 2023

Brisbane
Bundaberg
Cairns
Mackay
Melbourne
Online
Rockhampton
Sydney

Attendance Requirements

All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).

Class and Assessment Overview

Recommended Student Time Commitment

Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.

Class Timetable

Bundaberg, Cairns, Emerald, Gladstone, Mackay, Rockhampton, Townsville
Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth, Sydney

Assessment Overview

1. Presentation
Weighting: 25%
2. Report
Weighting: 50%
3. Portfolio
Weighting: 25%

Assessment Grading

This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of ‘pass’ in order to pass the unit. If any ‘pass/fail’ tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully (‘pass’ grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the ‘assessment task’ section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University’s Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.

Previous Student Feedback

Feedback, Recommendations and Responses

Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.

Feedback from DDLT SBL

Feedback

The current 3-assessment-item structure of this unit needs to be altered to a 2-assessment-item structure as part of broader shift to 2-assessment-item structures.

Recommendation

Assignment 1 will be incorporated with Assignment 3 to meet unit learning objectives.

Feedback from Head of Course

Feedback

This unit needs a clearer focus of purpose in structure and learning outcomes.

Recommendation

This unit will be redeveloped for 2023.

Unit Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
  1. Identify and report on the personal and professional capabilities and attributes necessary for career success, and how you can attain them with your chosen study plan
  2. Apply multi-modal communication skills for effect.
  3. Collect and interpret evidence from a range of quality sources to inform responses to routine problems
  4. Construct a professional e-Portfolio that showcases your skills, capabilities, attributes and achievements.

Not applicable

Alignment of Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Graduate Attributes
N/A Level
Introductory Level
Intermediate Level
Graduate Level
Professional Level
Advanced Level

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes

Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Presentation - 25%
2 - Report - 50%
3 - Portfolio - 25%

Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes

Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4
1 - Communication
2 - Problem Solving
3 - Critical Thinking
4 - Information Literacy
5 - Team Work
6 - Information Technology Competence
7 - Cross Cultural Competence
8 - Ethical practice
9 - Social Innovation
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures
Textbooks and Resources

Textbooks

There are no required textbooks.

IT Resources

You will need access to the following IT resources:
  • CQUniversity Student Email
  • Internet
  • Unit Website (Moodle)
Referencing Style

All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: American Psychological Association 7th Edition (APA 7th edition)

For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.

Teaching Contacts
Andrew Roberts Unit Coordinator
a.d.roberts@cqu.edu.au
Gerard Ilott Unit Coordinator
g.ilott@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1: Welcome to CQUniversity Begin Date: 06 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

This week introduces you to the learning journey at CQUniversity. You will find out where your learning materials are presented, where to find out about assessments and, importantly, where to find help.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

This week we "tour the tools", where you find out the resources and help that is available to you during your learning journey.

Week 2: The characteristics of the effective professional Begin Date: 13 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

This week you will learn about the key characteristics that good professionals have. Guess what? They are the same characteristics that effective students have too.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

In this week's workshop you will begin your critical thinking journey as you evaluate the characteristics of the professional. Start finding fellow students who are interested in the same career as you and get yourself into a group for the first assessment.

Week 3: Meet the professions Begin Date: 20 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

This week provides a peek at a number of professions. Why do people join these professions? What skills and knowledge do they need?

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

This week we continue to evaluate the professions with a critical mind. Start having conversations with your team members. What characteristics do each of you already have, and what do you need to do to fill in the gaps?

Week 4: Finding the gap Begin Date: 27 Mar 2023

Module/Topic

This week you begin to map out your own capability gaps, using capability gap analysis. This will be your roadmap for a successful learning journey at CQUni.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

This week you begin to do a formal gap analysis. Although this is your personal gap analysis, start talking to your team about how each of you will fill in the gaps while you are at CQUniversity. What knowledge and skills will you need and where to you get them?

Week 5: Stand and deliver—Tips and tricks for the oral presentation Begin Date: 03 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

How do you share your message with a room full of professionals? Oral presentations take time and practice to master, starting now.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Practice time for your group presentation.

Vacation Week Begin Date: 10 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6: Professional communications 1 Begin Date: 17 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

Emails and other forms of short messages are an everyday necessity for the professional. It takes some skill to be able to craft an effective short message.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Start working on your short-form communication skills.

Group Presentations will be held during workshop times and online.

Week 7: Professional communications 2 Begin Date: 24 Apr 2023

Module/Topic

This week we look at long form communications, especially report writing.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Start working on your long-form communication skills—very useful for your second assessment!

Group Presentations will continue during workshop times and online.

Week 8: Building the ethical you Begin Date: 01 May 2023

Module/Topic

Ethics is a large part of being a successful professional. This week we consider what that means for your professional and student career.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

This week there is a focus on academic integrity. When you submit assessment, you must declare that this is your own work. We take this seriously at CQUniversity.

Academic integrity then translates into professional integrity.

Week 9: Welcome to your e-Portfolio 1 Begin Date: 08 May 2023

Module/Topic

This week introduces you to Portfolium, your e-Portfolio.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Start setting up your personal e-Portfolio. This is where you submit your final assessment.


Gap Analysis (Individual assessment) Due: Week 9 Friday (12 May 2023) 12:55 pm AEST
Week 10 Welcome to your e-Portfolio 2 Begin Date: 15 May 2023

Module/Topic

This week continues your exploration of Portfolium.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Continue to develop your personal e-Portfolio. Do more work on your final assessment.

Week 11 Review and finalise your e-Portfolio Begin Date: 22 May 2023

Module/Topic

No additional work this week.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Finalise your assessment in your e-Portfolio.

Week 12 Review and finalise your e-Portfolio Begin Date: 29 May 2023

Module/Topic

Review week.

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Finalise your assessment in your e-Portfolio.


Your personal e-Portfolio Due: Week 12 Friday (2 June 2023) 12:55 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 05 Jun 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 12 Jun 2023

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Presentation

Assessment Title
Group Presentation

Task Description

This assessment item is a group presentation exercise. You will be placed into a group, which will make a presentation on the characteristics and requirements of a chosen profession.

Your group will be created during the first four weeks of term. Each group will present using a standard PowerPoint template that will be supplied on Moodle. Presentations will be during scheduled workshops in Weeks 6 and 7. The conditions of the presentation are:
1. No more than 10 slides in total
2. No more than six minutes of presentation, with four minutes allowed for questions and feedback
3. The presentation may be recorded if presented online
4. Your group will submit a single deck of PowerPoint slides for assessment (the same deck used in the presentation)
5. Individual marks will be awarded per student following the presentation, but only group members who participate in the presentation will receive marks.


Assessment Due Date

Group presentations will be held during Weeks 6 & 7. A presentation timetable will be provided during term.


Return Date to Students

Feedback on presentations will be provided as soon as possible following the presentation.


Weighting
25%

Assessment Criteria

Assessment will be based on the following:

  • The quality of the presentation (10%)
  • The reliability of the information being presented (10%)
  • Individual effort supporting the group assessment task (5%).


Referencing Style

Submission
Online Group

Submission Instructions
Please submit your PowerPoint slide deck using the secure link provided in Moodle.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Identify and report on the personal and professional capabilities and attributes necessary for career success, and how you can attain them with your chosen study plan
  • Apply multi-modal communication skills for effect.
  • Collect and interpret evidence from a range of quality sources to inform responses to routine problems

2 Report

Assessment Title
Gap Analysis (Individual assessment)

Task Description

Using a simple gap analysis template that will be provided on Moodle, you will reflect on the characteristics and requirements of your chosen profession and match them to your current capabilities. The difference between your current and required capabilities represents a capability gap. You will examine your personal capability gap and explain how you can "fill in" your gaps during your study with CQUniversity.

In addition to the capability gap matrix, you will provide a critical reflection on your proposed learning journey, identifying opportunities to fill in their gaps.

Your submission will be a single Microsoft Word document, which will contain:

  • The completed capability gap matrix
  • Your critical reflection (no more than 1,000 words)
  • A reference list of all sources used in the critical reflection.


Assessment Due Date

Week 9 Friday (12 May 2023) 12:55 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Week 11 Friday (26 May 2023)


Weighting
50%

Assessment Criteria

The submission will be assessed as follows:

  • The quality of the gap analysis matrix (15%)
  • The extent that the critical reflection shows a clear and achievable path to fill in the gaps in the capability matrix (20%)
  • The quality of the written presentation overall (10%)
  • Proper referencing has been used (5%).


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Submit your single document using the secure link provided in Moodle.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Identify and report on the personal and professional capabilities and attributes necessary for career success, and how you can attain them with your chosen study plan
  • Apply multi-modal communication skills for effect.
  • Collect and interpret evidence from a range of quality sources to inform responses to routine problems

3 Portfolio

Assessment Title
Your personal e-Portfolio

Task Description

For this assessment, you will be introduced to Portfolium, your personal e-Portfolio. This e-Portfolio can be used throughout your learning journey to highlight your achievements to show potential employers.

You are required to post your personal capability matrix on Portfolium, as well as an abbreviated version of your critical reflection on what you will do during your learning journey.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (2 June 2023) 12:55 pm AEST


Return Date to Students

Feedback and the final grade will be withheld until Certification Date.


Weighting
25%

Assessment Criteria

This assessment will be assessed as follows:

  • Clear and readable presentation of the capability matrix (10%)
  • Clear and well-presented critical reflection (10%)
  • Quality and readability of the overall presentation in Portfolium (5%)


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Click the ‘Portfolium Project’ activity in the Moodle Assessment Tile and follow the prompts to upload your multimodal critical reflection as an attachment and submit your work. On or before the due date, ensure you have completed your profile picture and submitted your multimodal critical reflection. Turnitin, plagiarism-detection software, will authenticate your critical reflection submission and will provide a report to your teacher.

Learning Outcomes Assessed
  • Identify and report on the personal and professional capabilities and attributes necessary for career success, and how you can attain them with your chosen study plan
  • Construct a professional e-Portfolio that showcases your skills, capabilities, attributes and achievements.

Academic Integrity Statement

As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.

Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.

When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.

Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.

As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.

What is a breach of academic integrity?

A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.

Why is academic integrity important?

A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.

Where can I get assistance?

For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.

What can you do to act with integrity?