91É«ÇéƬ
Science

Research Integrated Learning (RIL)

Get a head start in your career through a research internship.
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Students learning in the Science facilities at the 91É«ÇéƬ Kensington campus

At 91É«ÇéƬ Science, we’re dedicated to helping you achieve success in your studies while getting a head-start in your career.

Research internships with 91É«ÇéƬ Science during your undergraduate program is a great way to explore research as a potential career path. Research internshipsÌýinvolve a short theoretical or experimental research project supervised by an academic staff member.Ìý

  • In Research Integrated Learning courses, students undertake a theoretical or experimental research project supervised by an academic staff member. There are many ways to get involved in research projects across the Faculty of Science. In the Faculty of Science, this means undertaking SCIF2041 - Research Internship A ( or SCIF3041 – Research Internship B ( courses. Ìý

    Science RILÌýcourses are also available at the School level. Depending on your program and major of study, the below options may be available to you. For further information or to apply, please contact the relevant school directly.

    • Medical Science students:ÌýSOMS3001

  • Submit the application using this online formÌýand it will be assessed. Please note this form is reviewed on an rolling basis.

    Eligibility criteria: Ìý

    • SCIF2041: completion of 48 UOC at 91É«ÇéƬ and WAM of 70ÌýÌý

    • SCIF3041: completion of 72 UOC at 91É«ÇéƬ and WAM of 70

    • Subject to RIL Director Approval Ìý

    • Subject to SCIF2041/SCIF3041 counting towards your Science program

    Things to keep in mind: Ìý

    • Enrolment in this course is by application and is subject to the availability of places. Interested students should have identified a potential supervisor and research placement before applying – and have discussed their intention to apply for RIL.Ìý Ìý

    • If you are just under the WAM and/or UOC requirement you may still apply, and your application will be assessed based on supervisor availability

    Application deadline: Ìý

    • Applications close at the end of the Exam Period for the previous term

    • Please note that if your application is submitted after the above date, late applications may be considered

    • If your application is submitted closer to the enrolment deadline (end of Week 1) there may be delays in processing your application Ìý

  • The expectation is that students contribute 150 hours of effort over a term. It is at the discretion of the student and supervisor to decide how to use these hours over the term.ÌýÌý

    Research projects may also involve placements outside 91É«ÇéƬ in the form of externally funded research programs or industrial placements. In these cases, students will require a 91É«ÇéƬ academic staff member to supervise the students for the duration of the project. Projects may involve brief and intense fieldwork or lab work periods, but others may be more flexible. If you decide to undertake research in this way, they must align with the 91É«ÇéƬ calendar dates, i.e. the project should span across one term and be within the Term calendar dates.ÌýÌý Ìý

  • Assessments should be undertaken throughout the research internship, and assessment submissions should be staggered throughout the term. For instance, the literature review is completed halfway through the term, so you have the opportunity to get feedback before completing the final report.Ìý Talk with your supervisor at the start of the term regarding expectations, deadlines and assessments.

    Examples of assessments include and are not limited to:

    • Written report/paper

    • Literature Review

    • Oral Presentation or Presentation/Seminar Ìý

    • School-based assessments Ìý

  • To find your supervisor, first review the list of academic staff and their interests within your relevant School. If unsure, you may talk to your School’s Undergraduate Research Coordinator (if available) regarding their interests and who may best align with your proposed project. You can start with the following information here:

    You will need to find a potential supervisor and check if they are available for a Research Integrated Learning opportunity and if they are willing to take on your project. Potential supervisors are current academic staff at 91É«ÇéƬ. You should reach out to your preferred academic staff member, and they will let you know if they are available. Please note that you will need to find another academic staff member if the original person you reached out to is unavailable.

    When discussing your project with a potential supervisor, be sure to confirm a method of submitting assessments and tracking your progress in your proposed project (e.g. weekly meetings and assessment submissions via Moodle or email). Once you have found a project that appeals to you, reach out to the staff member with the following information:ÌýÌý Ìý

    • Request to undertake RIL over the Term (or Summer term if applicable) Ìý

    • Provide a brief description of your goals/interests

    • Ask the supervisor if they are available to meet to discuss potential long-term projects and supervision Ìý

  • Discuss with the RIL coordinator.

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