MA3SPL-Summer Placement

Module Provider: Mathematics and Statistics
Number of credits: 10 [5 ECTS credits]
Level:6
Terms in which taught: Autumn / Spring / Summer module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Pre-placement training run in April 2023
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2023/4

Module Convenor: Mrs Claire Newbold
Email: c.newbold@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module gives students an opportunity to do a work placement or an internship with a work based employer broadly related to the general sphere of their degree studies. Based on the work experience gained, the student will deliver a self-reflective report following feedback from their employer and link their new and or enhanced skills to ºÚÁϳԹÏÍø graduate attributes. Students will present at a student and employer networking event in October 2023 and to academic staff during week 6 of Autumn term in a more formal setting using slides and projector.

Aims:

To recognise the work-place learning that students complete during a self-organised mini- placement which will take place in their summer vacation. The module is an excellent opportunity for students to:

• complete a work placement in a relevant organisation applying their knowledge and skills gained from their academic studies;


• reflect upon the skills they have and appreciate how these skills match the graduate attributes employers are seeking.

Assessable learning outcomes:

After completing the module, the students will be able to:

• Gain confidence presenting to peers and employers at a networking event held in October Ìý2023


• Gain confidence in their professional presentation skills and utilize their creative skills through producing a presentation that effectively describes their placement and its benefits to academic staff in week 6 of Autumn term.


• Assess their strengths and weaknesses against the desired graduate attributes employers are seeking


• Develop their reflective skills, written communication skills and resilience in coping with constructive feedback.

Additional outcomes:

Students will gain experience of applying for a work placement or volunteering opportunity, which will prove valuable when applying for graduate jobs. The module also aims to encourage the development of the following skills:

• increased employability by developing their degree discipline knowledge, competencies and skills through the work placement.


• gain confidence and self-reliance, maturity, resilience and sense of responsibility; build networks with professionals in a workÌý environment;

The overall experience will be potentially invaluable in terms of their future career development and employability.

Outline content:

The area of work undertaken on the placement will be broadly related to the students’ overall programme of study. The day-to-day content of the work will be set by the placement employerÌý and in agreement with the module convenor. The work placement should provide the student with invaluable first-hand experience as well as providing opportunities for independent problemÌý solving and working in a team.

Students will organise their own mini work-based placement to take place in the summer vacation between parts two and three. This could be a work experience placement, paid work or volunteering but this must be broadly related to the degree subject that student is taking or relate to their future career path.

Please note that the placement must be approved by the module convenor before the placement takes place.

Guidance will be given on effective self-reflection.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

At the beginning of the preceding Spring Term students will attend pre-placement training run by the module convenor to discuss the module aims and the process of finding a suitable placement. Thereafter, 1:1 meetings with the module convenor will be scheduled by the students to en