Bachelor of Science

Verbal Expression and Comprehension (understanding)

What do I need to be able to do?

Understand and respond to verbal communication

• In a laboratory setting this will assist with participating in tutorial discussions and practicing your professional communication during practical classes.

Verbally communicate clear instructions and explanations in a timely way

• In a laboratory setting, verbal communication is the primary source of communication between you and key users of the laboratory and supervisors

Clear communication assists with completing laboratory tasks safely.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Additional time allowances for comprehension and expression may be available to you for on-campus learning activities.

Professional experience placement activities may require time responsive communication. This should be discussed with your Placement Coordinator prior to commencing professional experience placement.

Social communication

Social Communication refers to the capacity to understand and use appropriate non-verbal communication such as: eye contact, gestures, facial expression, speaking volume, tone of voice, proximity and verbal turn-taking.

What do I need to be able to do?

Recognise, interpret, use and respond to non-verbal communication appropriately in both on-campus and during a laboratory component to understand and complete laboratory tasks safely

In a laboratory setting, tasks which require your use of social communication abilities include:

• identifying and using gestures, verbal turn-taking and proximity when sharing workload and equipment with fellow students and users of the laboratory
• responding to peers, academic staff and supervisors with open body language, eye contact and facial expressions to demonstrate understanding

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you. Consideration will be given to the use of non-verbal communication appropriate to your disability or condition for example, if you have a vision or hearing impairment, you may rely more on using either auditory or visual means of social communication.

Reading

Demonstrate effective reading and reading comprehension

What do I need to be able to do?

Read and understand a range of written material in differing forms from a variety of sources such as:

In a laboratory setting, essential information is communicated in written form. Tasks which require your use of reading include:

• reading safety procedures for safe use of equipment and other essential materials
• reading and comprehending laboratory records, reports and scientific literature

The ability to read, understand and interpret written information is fundamental for: the delivery of working in a laboratory environment in a safe manner or working in a in a safe manner.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during professional experience placements may vary between placements and should be discussed with the Placement Coordinator prior to commencing placement.

Writing

N.B. This refers not to the physical act of writing but rather to the written content

What do I need to be able to do?

Produce coherent written communication appropriate to both on-campus learning activities and professional experience placement.

In a laboratory setting, tasks which require clear, concise, accurate and time-efficient writing include:

• recording of laboratory results in a log book using scientific terms and abbreviations
• writing laboratory reports

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support their literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during professional experience placements may vary between placements and should be discussed with the Placement Coordinator prior to commencing placement.

Number Skills

Numeracy is the ability to understand and work with numbers. Basic numeracy skills consist of comprehending fundamental mathematics like addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.

What do I need to be able to do?

Demonstrate and correctly apply mathematics knowledge and mathematical skills for on-campus learning activities and professional experience placement tasks.

In a laboratory setting and on-campus learning activities, tasks which require your use of number skills include:

• performing accurate calculations when preparing for experiment, e.g. in solution making
• performing accurate calculations to predict the behaviour of objects in an experiment
• conducting counts while assessing experiment outcomes and precisely recording these results in an accurate and time efficient way

The ability to read, understand and interpret information is fundamental to working in this setting/environment in a safe manner. The ramifications of miscalculations are significant.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use specialised software to support your literacy for on-campus learning activities. The appropriateness and practicality of using such software during professional experience placements may vary between placements and should be discussed with the Placement Coordinator prior to commencing placement.

What do I need to be able to do?

Correctly use and apply knowledge of theory, research, and practice gained from on-campus learning to a laboratory setting during a laboratory component

In a laboratory setting, tasks using your concentration, memory and problem-solving abilities include:

• conceptualising and using knowledge of academic material when completing assessments and laboratory tasks such as making a solution of specified concentration within a specified time frame
• planning and organising multiple, sequential tasks so they can be completed safely and in a timely way
• focusing and concentrating over an 8 hour shift during a laboratory placement

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You may use assistive technology and strategies such as rest breaks to support your memory, planning and organisation in the on-campus learning environment. The use of these strategies during placement should be discussed with the Placement Coordinator prior to commencing placement.

Mental Wellness is a state of well-being in which an individual can realise their own abilities or potential, can cope with the normal stresses of life and can work productively and fruitfully.

Behavioural stability refers to an individual’s ability to moderate their own behaviour.

Stable mental health promotes optimal and safe engagement in on-campus learning and professional experience placement settings. Many people who live with mental health conditions complete their studies successfully. The following services are available to support students living with mental health conditions at RMIT:

Equitable Learning Services

Counselling Services

What do I need to be able to do?

The on campus learning environment can be challenging and will require students to engage with peers and teaching staff, reflect on their work and respond appropriately to constructive feedback.

Participating in a laboratory component in a laboratory setting can present complex and unpredictable human situations which require the following:

• managing multiple, complex demands with focus and composure
• remaining alert, focussed and engaged during laboratory activities
• managing personal emotions and behaviour effectively when dealing with key users of the laboratory, peers and supervisors when responding to situations which may be challenging i.e., managing unexpected laboratory results

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

You will be supported to take time off from your studies if you become unwell or have difficulties with behavioural stability. The professional experience placements may also be deferred, where possible until you are ready to recommence.

Vision

Visual acuity refers to the extent to which a person can see or interpret visual information. This may also include colour vision.

What do I need to be able to do?

In a laboratory setting, tasks which require your vision include:

• reading from scales or small print when using laboratory equipment and measuring devices
• observing changes during sample testing using a microscope
• using equipment such as balances, spectrophotometers, micropipettes
• accurately adjusting the setting on a small dial to the test and measure equipment
• accurately identifying non electronic written information i.e., chemical and sample labels

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

The use of assistive technology to enhance vision will be considered. It is recommended that you discuss this with ELS and the Placement Coordinator prior to commencing placement. Glasses and other visual aids can be used during on-campus learning activities and professional experience placement.

In both the on-campus learning and professional experience settings, tasks may involve:

What do I need to be able to do?

In a laboratory setting, tasks which require gross motor abilities include:

• picking up, carrying and placing various components in design and build activities
• manual handling i.e. safely moving, positioning and setting up laboratory equipment
• safely manipulating and operating laboratory equipment

Safe manual handling minimises the risk of injury to yourself and others.

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

A range of adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Services (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your individual circumstances and physical capacities. Any adjustments considered should not compromise your safety and the safety of others.

i.e., The ability to undertake precise coordinated movements of the hands

What do I need to be able to do?

In both the on-campus learning and a laboratory setting, tasks may involve:

In a laboratory setting, tasks which require fine motor abilities include:

• conducting experimental techniques such as preparing cultures and applying small volume samples on to gels
• manipulating small dials on equipment such as microscopes
• using small measuring equipment such as pipettes

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your individual circumstances and physical capacities. Any adjustments considered should not compromise your safety and the safety of others.

This refers to the ability to undertake a task/s over a pre-determined period of time. This could include physical performance such as standing for a period of time, or cognitive (mental) performance such as concentrating for a particular length of time.

What do I need to be able to do?

In a laboratory setting, tasks which require your physical and mental endurance include:

• performing repetitive tasks with a level of sustained concentration and focus until the tasks are completed appropriately and accurately
• maintaining consistent physical performance and a high level of concentration while undertaking precise laboratory procedures

What adjustments to my study conditions can I access?

Adjustments can be organised through the Equitable Learning Service (ELS). Contact the ELS to discuss what adjustments may be helpful to you.

Adjustments will be considered in relation to your circumstances and physical capacities. You may use strategies such as rest breaks to support your performance for on-campus learning activities. It is recommended that you discuss the use of these strategies during placement with ELS and the Placement Coordinator prior to commencing placement.

Any adjustments considered should not compromise your safety and the safety of others.