This course is designed to provide an opportunity for students to learn about applications of biological sciences in a broad range of workplaces and to get exposure to the contemporary employment landscape. Various guest speakers, who will be professionals in different areas of biological science and/or research, will discuss their work, career, ethics and legal liability as well as what they see as emerging career opportunities in their fields. Visits to work places will be organised. Students will also work in small groups workshops including informational interviews and careers workshops, designed to promote confidence and develop skills for job searches and when transitioning to the workforce.
Enrolment places are limited to 70 and students will be selected on a first-come, first serve basis. You will need to contact the Biology Teaching and Learning Centre to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
This course is assessed on a Course Requirement Satisfied (CRS) or Fail basis.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:
- Critically analyse and summarise the content of presentations by professionals in different areas of biology.
- Understand ethical standards of the workplace and consider the ethical implications of developments in the biosciences, biotechnology and biomedicine.
- Communicate concepts and contexts clearly and effectively both in writing and orally.
- Prepare and conduct an interview with a professional.
- Reflect on the personal impacts of what was learnt from each component of the course.
- Engage with potential employers on topics relevant to biological sciences.
- Develop a career plan and job application materials appropriate to diverse employment opportunities.
Work Integrated Learning
Other
All students engage with WIL partners (internal/external) as a major component of the course in a combination of seminars, workplace visits and interviews.
Other Information
Enrolment places are limited to 70 (across BIOL3194 and BIOL6194). Students will be selected on a first-come, first-serve basis.
Indicative Assessment
- Learning journal (50) [LO 1,3,5,7]
- Interview Discussion (25) [LO 2,3,4,5,6]
- Mock job application (25) [LO 2,3,6,7]
The ANU uses Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. While the use of Turnitin is not mandatory, the ANU highly recommends Turnitin is used by both teaching staff and students. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the ANU Online website.
Workload
The expected workload will consist of approximately 130 hours including:
- Face-to face component which may consist of 2 hour of seminar per week, and workplace visits and workshops up to 3 hours per week.
- Approximately 70 hours of self-directed study which will include preparation for seminars, group work activities and other assessment tasks.
Students are expected to actively participate and contribute towards discussions.
Inherent Requirements
In order to pass this course, students must demonstrate engagement with biology in the workplace, which typically involves participating in visits to workplaces. To participate in the workplace visits, students must:
- Be able to spend afternoons in the workplace environments without risking their own or others health.
- Act professionally, respectfully and responsibly at all times during the workplace visits.
Students who can provide evidence they are unable to meet these requirements can negotiate alternative assessment and participation requirements with the course convenor. Please refer to the trip information page for further information.
Requisite and Incompatibility
You will need to contact the Biology Teaching and Learning Centre to request a permission code to enrol in this course.
Prescribed Texts
There are no prescribed texts for this course.
Fees
Tuition fees are for the academic year indicated at the top of the page.
Commonwealth Support (CSP) Students
If you have been offered a Commonwealth supported place, your fees are set by the Australian Government for each course. At ANU 1 EFTSL is 48 units (normally 8 x 6-unit courses). More information about your student contribution amount for each course at Fees.
- Student Contribution Band:
- 2
- Unit value:
- 6 units
If you are a domestic graduate coursework student with a Domestic Tuition Fee (DTF) place or international student you will be required to pay course tuition fees (see below). Course tuition fees are indexed annually. Further information for domestic and international students about tuition and other fees can be found at Fees.
Where there is a unit range displayed for this course, not all unit options below may be available.
| Units | EFTSL |
|---|---|
| 6.00 | 0.12500 |
Course fees
- Domestic fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $4920 |
- International fee paying students
| Year | Fee |
|---|---|
| 2026 | $7020 |
Offerings, Dates and Class Summary Links
ANU utilises MyTimetable to enable students to view the timetable for their enrolled courses, browse, then self-allocate to small teaching activities / tutorials so they can better plan their time. Find out more on the Timetable webpage.
Class summaries, if available, can be accessed by clicking on the View link for the relevant class number.
Second Semester
| Class number | Class start date | Last day to enrol | Census date | Class end date | Mode Of Delivery | Class Summary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8235 | 27 Jul 2026 | 03 Aug 2026 | 31 Aug 2026 | 30 Oct 2026 | In Person | N/A |