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 2 - 2024

Brisbane
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 SUTE

Feedback

More useful feedback required for assessments

Recommendation

Develop improved rubrics for assessment items.

Feedback from SUTE

Feedback

Clearly explain the value of this unit to the course

Recommendation

More explicit information will be provided that points to the value of this unit to the students' chosen course.

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
Udari Ekanayake Unit Coordinator
u.ekanayake@cqu.edu.au
Schedule
Week 1- WELCOME TO CQUNIVERSITY Begin Date: 08 Jul 2024

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

Learning materials are provided for you within the topic block in Moodle.

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: 15 Jul 2024

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

Learning materials are provided for you within the topic block in Moodle.

Events and Submissions/Topic

In this week's workshop

1. ALC conduct a session on GEN AI

2 Begin your critical thinking journey as you evaluate the characteristics of the professional.

3. 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: 22 Jul 2024

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

Learning materials are provided for you within the topic block in Moodle.

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?

ALC will also conduct a session Academic Writing. 

Week 4- FINDING THE GAP Begin Date: 29 Jul 2024

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

Learning materials are provided for you within the topic block in Moodle.

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: 05 Aug 2024

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

Learning materials are provided for you within the topic block in Moodle.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Finalizing the Assessment 1 PowerPoint slides and Practice time for your group presentation.


Assessment 1- Multimodal Group Presentation Due: Week 5 Friday (9 Aug 2024) 11:55 pm AEST
Vacation Week Begin Date: 12 Aug 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Week 6- PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATIONS 1 Begin Date: 19 Aug 2024

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

Learning materials are provided for you within the topic block in Moodle.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Start working on your short-form communication skills.

Group Presentations will be held during workshop times face-to-face and online.

Week 7- PROFESSIONAL COMMUNICATIONS 2 Begin Date: 26 Aug 2024

Module/Topic

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

Chapter

Learning materials are provided for you within the topic block in Moodle.

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 face-to-face and online.

Week 8- BUILDING THE ETHICAL YOU Begin Date: 02 Sep 2024

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

Learning materials are provided for you within the topic block in Moodle.

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- BE POSITIVE Begin Date: 09 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

This week the focus is on "Be Positive", discussing health and wellbeing. 

Chapter

Learning materials are provided for you within the topic block in Moodle.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Presentation by a guest speaker from CQU Mindwaves Program.

Finalizing Assessment 2.


Assessment 2- Personal Gap Analysis Due: Week 9 Friday (13 Sept 2024) 11:55 pm AEST
Week 10- WELCOME TO YOUR E-PORTFOLIO 1 Begin Date: 16 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

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

Chapter

Learning materials are provided for you within the topic block in Moodle.

Events and Submissions/Topic

ALC session on Assessment 3 and instructions for setting up E-Profile. 

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

Week 11- WELCOME TO YOUR E-PORTFOLIO 2 Begin Date: 23 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

This week continues your exploration of Portfolium.

Chapter

Learning materials are provided for you within the topic block in Moodle.

Events and Submissions/Topic

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

Week 12- REVIEW AND FINALISE YOUR E-PORTFOLIO Begin Date: 30 Sep 2024

Module/Topic

Review week.

Chapter

Learning materials are provided for you within the topic block in Moodle.

Events and Submissions/Topic

Finalize your assessment in your e-Portfolio.


Assessment 3- E-Portfolio Due: Week 12 Friday (4 Oct 2024) 11:55 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Begin Date: 07 Oct 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Exam Week Begin Date: 14 Oct 2024

Module/Topic

Chapter

Events and Submissions/Topic

Assessment Tasks

1 Presentation

Assessment Title
Assessment 1- Multimodal Group Presentation

Task Description

This assessment item is a group presentation exercise. You will be placed into a group (3-4 members), to develop and deliver a live PowerPoint presentation on the characteristics and requirements of a chosen profession.

Your group will be created during the first four weeks of the 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 via Moodle for the assessment (the same deck used in the presentation) by Friday week 5
5. Individual marks will be awarded per student following the presentation, but only group members who participate in the presentation will receive marks.

Learning Outcomes Assessed

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.


Assessment Due Date

Week 5 Friday (9 Aug 2024) 11:55 pm AEST

Students are to submit their work via the Moodle site. Please note that late submission incurs a penalty of 5% per day.


Return Date to Students

Week 8 Friday (6 Sept 2024)

The grades will be released via Moodle.


Weighting
25%

Assessment Criteria

1. Task

I.  Students are allowed to select their own group members. 

II.  As a group choose a profession that you want to enter after you graduate. This can be the profession that all the group members want to go into. However, if different group members have different aspirations, you must agree on one profession.

III. As a group create a PowerPoint Presentation. This presentation should address the following:

Identify and explain the characteristics needed to succeed in the profession chosen by your group. Then identify and explain how your course can help you become a successful member of that profession.

You may find the following prompts helpful:

a.       What skills and attributes are employers looking for?

b.      How will your course help you develop these skills and attributes?

c.       How can you maximise your time at university to develop these skills and attributes?

d.      What does the scholarly literature say about what employers are looking for in your chosen profession?

2. The PowerPoint Slides 

I. Maximum 10 slides for the whole presentation.

II. Use headings and visuals (such as images, colour, and/or dot points) in the PowerPoint to clearly communicate the main idea.

III. Abbreviated sentences, which convey the key idea may be used, but language should be formal and academic, for example, no contractions.

IV. Use a minimum of 3 scholarly references in the PowerPoint slides to support your ideas. Scholarly references include journal articles and textbooks. You may also include additional information from reputable websites, providing the information is also recent and reliable.

V. Use the seventh edition American Psychological Association (APA) referencing style. Click HERE for The CQUniversity APA Referencing Style Guide.

3. Presentation

I. The presentation should take 6 minutes. There will then be a 4-minute question and answer session from the class.

II. All students in the group must present.

III. During your presentation, share your PowerPoint and apply public speaking skills (such as the use of clear audible voice, phrasing and pausing, and facial expressions and hand gestures) to communicate in a clear and engaging way.

IV. Prepare to present your critical reflection in a 6 minute (maximum) multimodal presentation and participate in a 4-minute question and answer session from the class.

V. For campus students: The presentations will take place in class in weeks 6 and 7. Please liaise with your tutor to coordinate your presentation.

For students attending online: Your presentations will take place live in class via Zoom. You will present live to your teacher via Zoom (please see the Zoom links for your allocated classes).


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
Assessment 2- Personal Gap Analysis

Task Description

Use the gap analysis template that is 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.

Learning Outcomes Assessed

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.


Assessment Due Date

Week 9 Friday (13 Sept 2024) 11:55 pm AEST

Students are to submit their work via the Moodle site. Please note that late submission incurs a penalty of 5% per day.


Return Date to Students

Week 11 Friday (27 Sept 2024)

The grades will be released via Moodle.


Weighting
50%

Assessment Criteria

1. The Task

The aim of this assignment is to write an essay which will help you better understand the skills and attributes needed to succeed in your chosen profession and what you need to do to better fulfil the demands of the profession.

To complete the task, you must address the following: 

I. Identify and discuss the characteristics and requirements of your chosen profession.

II. Complete the capability gap template (available on Moodle) based on your current capabilities.

III. Identify, compare, and critically reflect on the differences between your current capabilities and the characteristics and requirements of your chosen profession.

IV. Reflect on your learning journey and identify opportunities to fill the gaps during your study at CQU.

2. Essay Structure

I. Title page with your name, the name and code of the unit, the title of the assessment and the word count.

II. Introduction (Approximately 150 words).

III. The completed capability gap matrix (using the template on Moodle- Approximately 250- 300 words)

IV. Your critical reflection i.e. the answers to numbers 1-4 above (no more than 1,000 words).

V. Conclusion (Approximately150 words).

VI. A reference list of all sources used in the critical reflection.

3. Requirements

I. Headings can be used.

II. The template provided by the Academic Learning Centre can be used.

III. Word count is measured from the first word of the introduction to the last word of the conclusion and includes in-text referencing. Not included in the word count are the title page and the reference list.

IV. Use a minimum of 5 scholarly references in the essay to support your ideas. Scholarly references include journal articles and textbooks. You may also include additional information from reputable websites, providing the information is also recent and reliable.

V. In-text citations and the reference list must use the seventh edition American Psychological Association (APA) referencing style. The CQUniversity Academic Learning Centre has an online APA Referencing Style Guide.

4. Submission 

Submit your assessment via the unit Moodle site in Microsoft Word or PDF format.

 

 


Referencing Style

Submission
Online

Submission Instructions
Written assessments to be uploaded to 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
Assessment 3- 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 develop a clear and logical portfolio in Portfolium. You must 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. You are also expected to include either a PowerPoint presentation or a short video (2-3 minutes) that presents the reader with an understanding of you, your background, and your career aspirations.

Learning Outcomes Assessed

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. Construct a professional e-Portfolio that showcases your skills, capabilities, attributes, and achievements.


Assessment Due Date

Week 12 Friday (4 Oct 2024) 11:55 pm AEST

Submission instructions are provided during classes.


Return Date to Students

Review/Exam Week Friday (11 Oct 2024)

The results will be released after grade certification.


Weighting
25%

Assessment Criteria

Task

The aim of this assignment is for you to begin to build an electronic Portfolio in the platform Portfolium. The portfolio will showcase your academic and professional work, projects, and competencies to prospective employers. 

To access Portfolium, you must click on the ‘Portfolium Project’ activity in the Moodle Assessment Tile and follow the prompts to complete the requirements of the task. 

Portfolium will be a new platform for many of you, so you must attend online classes, including the Academic Learning Centre presentation for advice, examples, support, and feedback opportunities.

To complete this task, you must: 

I. Create a profile in Portfolium- As a minimum, the profile should include a professional picture of you and an introduction to you and the portfolio. 

It is highly encouraged to create a more detailed profile; for example, by including your employment history, work experiences, resume, accomplishments and skills. 

II. Upload your personal capability matrix from Assessment 2 into Portfolium.

  • Word or PDF document
  • Include at least one citation using APA7th.

III. Upload a written critical reflection with an accompanying PowerPoint into Portfolium.

                                 OR

Upload a written critical reflection and a video of this critical reflection    into Portfolium. 

II. Written critical reflection: 600 words +/ - 10%

I. This critical reflection is based on your Assessment 2 essay and should address the following:

Paragraph 1: What are you studying/ what profession do you want to go into? Why? (50 words)

Paragraph 2: What did the gap analysis reveal about key professional characteristics you currently have? (125 words)

Paragraph 3: What did the gap analysis reveal about key professional characteristics you need/why? (125 words)

Paragraph 4: How will you bridge that gap- key strategies? (125 words)

Paragraph 5: What key professional characteristics will you have by the time you graduate? (125 words)

Paragraph 6: Concluding sentence about the usefulness of studies/the gap analysis in achieving your career aspirations (50 words)

II. Formatting requirements

  • Use 12- point Times New Roman or Arial font with 1.5 line spacing.
  • Minimum of 2 scholarly references must be cited. In-text citations and the reference list must use the seventh edition American Psychological Association (APA) referencing style. The CQUniversity Academic Learning Centre has an online APA Referencing Style Guide
  • File can be uploaded as a Word or PDF document.

II. PowerPoint Presentation

I. This PowerPoint is based on your 600-word critical reflection.

II. No limitation on number of slides. It is recommended to have approximately 10-15 slides in total.

III. Minimum of 2 scholarly references must be cited using CQU APA7th edition.

III. Video

I. This video is based on your 600-word critical reflection.

II. Maximum 2 minutes.

III. The video can be recorded in PowerPoint, Zoom or any other medium and uploaded as an MP4 file.

 


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?