1. The ability to evaluate different approaches to solving problems amenable to analysis from a biological perspective whilst on placement, and to propose appropriate solutions to issues and problems identified during placement.
Problem Solving

2. The ability to communicate biological ideas, supported by evidence, within a workplace context and to communicate those ideas to a range of audiences.
Communication

3. The ability to apply knowledge and understanding of biological theories, concepts and skills within a variety of workplace contexts whilst on placement.
Knowledge and understanding, Application

4. The ability to exercise increased personal responsibility and decision making to undertake self-directed study and to reflect on personal development in the workplace whilst on placement. To identify how transferable skills and abilities have developed whilst on placement, and to evaluate these with a view to future learning and employability.
Reflection

5. Successful completion of an approved nine-month placement demonstrating the application of specific biological and related skills, as evidenced by a placement activity log.
Application

You are required to submit two pieces of related assessment at the end of your placement year.

1. Reflective Account (LO 1-4) 50% weighting
This 3000 word report will focus on student learning experiences during the placement, how they have applied their biological knowledge and skills within the workplace, and how this has contributed to their continuing professional development whilst also evaluating their future development needs.

2. Placement Activity Log (LO 5) 50% weighting
Consisting of:
- a log of activity which has been signed on a monthly basis by the Workplace Supervisor (minimum of 9 entries (1/month) 3000 words in total)
- An assessment by the Workplace Supervisor of the student ¿s performance on placement (does not contribute to word count).

Students on all undergraduate Biological and Biomedical Science awards at Staffordshire University can opt to undertake a placement (sandwich) year; a structured work experience opportunity which enables you to develop and implement subject-specific and general transferable skills whilst getting a flavour of a professional working environment.

The purpose of the student placement is to enable students to learn and to gain valuable experience within a work environment. This experience is designed to integrate with and complement the academic studies that you undertake as part of your Biological or Biomedical Science degree.

Placements take place between levels 5 and 6 of our undergraduate degrees and last for a period of 9 months (from September to June). The Placement Year is an assessed, pass/fail, year that is added to your existing programme of study.

Throughout your placement period you will be supervised by a Workplace Supervisor (usually your line manager) within the employing organisation and you will maintain contact with the University through a Placement Supervisor (these will be appointed at the start of the first semester and will normally conduct a first visit around Christmas). Your Placement Supervisor will establish contact via telephone, e-mail or Teams. You will normally receive three visits from your Placement Supervisor during your placement year (virtual or in person).

Academic staff are responsible for briefing students prior to the placement, monitoring the placement and debriefing the student after it. They are also responsible for marking assessment work in respect of the placement. Whilst the staff of the placement provider are responsible for day-to-day supervision, students on placement will be visited by academic staff at placement organisation premises and regular communication will take place to assess student progress. University staff will also be available to respond to problems of a more urgent nature which may arise between visits and meetings.

Please refer to the Biological Sciences Placement Year Handbook.

Students must be registered on an undergraduate biological or biomedical science award, and have passed enough credits at level 5 to be able to progress on to the placement year.

Students on all undergraduate Biological and Biomedical Science awards can opt to undertake a placement (sandwich) year; a structured work experience opportunity which enables you to develop and implement subject-specific and general transferable skills whilst getting a flavour of a professional working environment.

The purpose of the student placement is to enable students to learn and to gain valuable experience within a work environment. This experience is designed to integrate with and complement the academic studies that you undertake as part of your Biological or Biomedical Science degree.