Overview
This supervised work-integrated learning course places students in an engineering organisation or approved professional environment for a substantial period. Placement settings may include design consultancies, manufacturing, construction, energy, transport, technology, environmental services, public infrastructure, laboratories, and engineering operations.
Students undertake authentic engineering tasks under workplace and academic supervision while integrating technical knowledge with professional practice. Preparation and placement activities address professional conduct, communication, confidentiality, intellectual property, data protection, health and safety, risk reporting, diversity and inclusion, sustainability, legal and regulatory obligations, technical documentation, requirements interpretation, calculations or modelling, project coordination, quality systems, digital tools, stakeholder engagement, and reflective problem solving. Defined learning objectives, supervision arrangements, progress reviews, and evidence requirements support the development of engineering competence, employability, and professional judgement.
Learning Outcomes
- Apply engineering principles and methods to authentic workplace tasks within defined technical, organisational, and commercial constraints.
- Evaluate engineering requirements, risks, quality considerations, and regulatory obligations relevant to assigned workplace activities.
- Demonstrate safe, ethical, inclusive, and sustainable professional practice in accordance with host-organisation procedures and applicable standards.
- Produce accurate technical documentation, calculations, models, records, and other evidence appropriate to the placement role and confidentiality requirements.
- Collaborate effectively with engineers, technical specialists, clients, stakeholders, and multidisciplinary teams.
- Communicate engineering information clearly to technical and nontechnical audiences through written, digital, and oral formats.
- Assess personal technical and professional capabilities against placement objectives and identify specific development needs.
- Reflect critically on engineering professionalism, organisational practice, employability, and the relationship between academic learning and workplace performance.
Timetable
| Type | Length | Frequency | Period |
|---|---|---|---|
| Workshop | 2 hours | Weekly | First term |
| Practicum | 30 hours | Weekly | All semester |
| Tutorial | 1 hour | Fortnightly | Second term |
Assessment Schedule
| Type | Description | Weighting |
|---|---|---|
| Deliverable | Placement learning agreement and objectives. | 10.00% |
| Deliverable | Supervisor evaluation. | 20.00% |
| Deliverable | Activity log and evidence portfolio. | 20.00% |
| Assignment | Technical case study. | 25.00% |
| Assignment | Reflective professional report. | 15.00% |
| Test | Placement presentation. | 10.00% |
Prerequisites
Teaching Staff & Programs
This course is delivered jointly by faculty from the participating programs listed below. In line with the Douchewater Way, the University of Sexology tailors core instruction directly to each cohort's specific discipline — adapting curriculum to program needs rather than forcing students into a one-size-fits-all model. Learn more about our approach at The Douchewater Way.
