This repeatable unit provides students with practical field experience in one of a range of settings. Examples of these settings include Indonesia for rural development and tropical biology, Brazil for Amazonian freshwater ecology and conservation, the Galapagos Islands for island biogeography and ecology, in Australian waters for marine studies aboard the CSIRO research vessel RV Investigator or in Darwin acquiring a UAV pilot's license. Students take the role of research associates, and collaborate with staff in data collection using a range of methods, related to the research focus of a particular program.
Field intensives/placements also include: logistic preparation (for travel, visa, personal health, safety planning, minor equipment, etc.); research preparation (understanding context, development of research questions, ethics clearances and practices); learning and applying practical skills; working with others to achieve tasks; practicing duty of care for one's own and others, physical safety and well-being. International intensives include additional opportunities for: developing inter-cultural skills; practicing in an unfamiliar or foreign context; dealing with discomfort effectively etc.
There may be additional costs related to travel and the location and timing of intensives varies among years, depending on research activities and resources in place for intensive coordinators, who will lead the field team. Locations, dates and topics for available field intensives are posted annually on the College webpage. Some intensives are supported by scholarships for eligible candidates, visit the Global Mobility webpage for more information or contact your intensive coordinator.
This unit is not available for online enrolment and to enrol students will need to complete a Special Enrolment through eForms after consultation with the unit coordinator.