ENVP40160 Internship - Research Project

Academic Year 2021/2022

The aim of this module is to give students the opportunity to gain professional experience in a structured setting, for a period of 8 to 12 weeks during the third trimester.

An internship placement will normally be hosted at an external organisation, but may also be hosted internally at a UCD research lab to undertake a research project.

During Autumn, students interested in pursuing an internship will be expected to prepare their CV and seek placement opportunities from hosts under the guidance of the module coordinator and Programme Director.

In the event that a student is successful in securing a suitable internship placement, subject to gaining approval of the module coordinator, the student will be registered to that module by the Programme Office. Normally approval shall be forthcoming where a student has gained a GPA of 3.08 at the end of Autumn, however prior work experience can also be considered.

When a placement is approved a member of academic staff will be assigned to liaise with the student during the period of their placement. The placement provider will nominate a sponsor to oversee the placement. A programme of work will be agreed between the academic supervisor and the sponsor, to ensure that students can meet the learning outcomes associated with this module using the opportunities that are available during the scheduled period of placement.

During the placement:
• Students are required to keep a Diary of their experience and activities undertaken, to be attached as an Appendix to their Final Report.
• Students are obliged to update the academic supervisor periodically on their experience during their placement.
• On completion of their placement, students must complete a Final Report (2-3 page pro-forma), summarising their experiences and activities undertaken, with specific reference to such issues as “General Learning”, “Theoretical/Technical Learning” and “Personal Learning”, and how these relate to the module learning outcomes.
• On completion of their placement, a brief letter will be sought from the host sponsor commenting on the engagement and performance of the student with the process, and highlighting any particular achievements.
• Students may be required to present for Oral Examination on completion of a placement.

The approach to grading, assessed on a pass/fail (grade neutral) basis, will be discussed prior to placement. Failure to meet the learning outcomes associated with this module represents grounds for failure.

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Curricular information is subject to change

Learning Outcomes:

The internship module is a key opportunity to build on the knowledge acquired during the first two trimesters of the MSc Environmental Policy programme, and to develop a range of skills in the application of this knowledge to the specific setting of the placement host. On completion of this module students will be expected achieve outcomes under three headings:

1) General Learning. Depending on the placement host, this might include:
• Understand the need for high ethical standards in professional practice
• Understand health and safety issues and responsibilities
• Understand the functions and responsibilities of key elements of a placement host.

2) Theoretical/Technical Learning:
• Demonstrate the ability to integrate classroom theory with workplace practice through the application of academic learning in a placement setting. These learning will be specific to the nature of a placement host, and should be indicated in the programme of work prior to the commencement of the placement.

3) Personal Learning:
• Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of workplace culture
• Demonstrate development of interpersonal and transferable skills. The specific skills acquired by a student will depend upon the nature of the placement and host organisation but may include:
o written and oral communication skills;
o project management;
o presentational skills;
o data preparation and analysis;
o development of proficiency in particular software;
o knowledge and information management;
o strategic thinking and problem solving;
o time management and independent working;
o team working
o accounting for actions and decisions.

Student Effort Hours: 
Student Effort Type Hours
Autonomous Student Learning

150
Placement/Work Experience

450
Total

600
Approaches to Teaching and Learning:
Whilst the placement is supervised/mentored, the focus is on development of self-directed learning and personal learning whilst delivering upon a programme of work or a research project.

The teaching and learning approaches will vary depending on the host but may include inter alia: active/task-based learning; report writing; reflective learning; presentations.
 
Requirements, Exclusions and Recommendations

Not applicable to this module.


Module Requisites and Incompatibles
Not applicable to this module.
 
Assessment Strategy  
Description Timing Open Book Exam Component Scale Must Pass Component % of Final Grade
Journal: Final Report (Pro-forma) with Journal Activity Diary.
 Throughout the Trimester n/a Pass/Fail Grade Scale Yes

100

Carry forward of passed components
No
 
Remediation Type Remediation Timing
Repeat (CFP) Within Three Semesters
Please see Student Jargon Buster for more information about remediation types and timing. 
Feedback Strategy/Strategies

• Feedback individually to students, post-assessment
• Self-assessment activities

How will my Feedback be Delivered?

Not yet recorded.