Research Integrated Learning (RIL)

At ̽»¨ÏµÁÐ Science, we’re dedicated to helping you achieve success in your studies while getting a head-start in your career.
Research internships with ̽»¨ÏµÁÐ 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
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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.
BABSÌýstudents:ÌýBABS3301 (BABStudent@unsw.edu.au)
BEES students:ÌýBEES0006 (beesinfo@unsw.edu.au)
ChemistryÌýstudents:ÌýCHEM2999 and CHEM3998 (CHEMundergrad.admin@unsw.edu.au)
Physics students:Ìý‘Taste of Research’ program (ug.physics@unsw.edu.au)
Psychology students:ÌýPSYC3361 (psychology@unsw.edu.au) I
Medical Science students:ÌýSOMS3001
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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 ̽»¨ÏµÁÐ and WAM of 70ÌýÌý
SCIF3041: completion of 72 UOC at ̽»¨ÏµÁÐ 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
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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 ̽»¨ÏµÁÐ in the form of externally funded research programs or industrial placements. In these cases, students will require a ̽»¨ÏµÁÐ 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 ̽»¨ÏµÁÐ calendar dates, i.e. the project should span across one term and be within the Term calendar dates.ÌýÌý Ìý
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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
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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 ̽»¨ÏµÁÐ. 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
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