Community Placements and Internship for Academic Credit
There are two placement courses and an internship course available to Biology students at Trent University. These courses give students hands-on experience in their chosen field of study. Students do their placement and internship with collaborating agencies such as the Ministry of Natural Resources and Forestry, Parks Canada, conservation authorities, local hospitals, pharmacies, and health units, just to name a few.
Placements and internships are university courses that can add value in terms of the employability skills of a student. They are setup to nurture and facilitate students' knowledge and development in a biology related field. Students are at host locations to learn about the profession as a whole and not just do a "job". The placement can give students invaluable learning opportunities and experience, including many transferrable skills relevant to professional practices. These skills can help to make students more competitive when applying for positions in the health, medical, and conservation fields. Because of this, and the fact that the placement is for a fourth year university credit focused on learning about a profession, and not just a single job within a profession, the placements/internships are unpaid.
Please note that enrollment in placements and the internship is limited and competitive. Students must apply in the academic year before anticipated enrolment in the course. Application forms can be found on the Biology Forms & Processes page.
Placement in Conservation Biology (BIOL 4400Y)
An apprenticeship at a collaborating agency working in biological conservation. Students assist in a project pertaining to research and conservation of living things for the equivalent of approximately six hours per week. Evaluation is based on a written appraisal from the agency, as well as a written report and an oral presentation.
Open only to Honours students in Biology or Conservation Biology.
Prerequisite: A minimum cumulative average of 75% and 13.5 university credits including BIOL-ERSC 2260H, BIOL 3391H (or 4390H if previously earned), and BIOL 3600H.
Enrolment is limited and competitive. Students in third year must apply by April 30 for the following academic year. Application forms can be found on the Biology Forms & Processes page and must be submitted to the Biology Placement Officer. BIOL 4400Y may be taken jointly with BIOL 4010Y where the project warrants, but the student may not receive credit for a single-credit thesis in another department or program.
Placement in Biomedical Sciences (BIOM 4450Y/4451H)
A placement in a medically or health related setting for the equivalent of six hours a week for 24 weeks (BIOM 4450Y) or 12 weeks (BIOM 4451H). Students are required to write a report on their placement. It is open only to students in the Biomedical Science Degree program.
Prerequisite: A minimum cumulative average of 75% and 14.0 university credits including BIOL 3040H, BIOL 3080H, one of BIOL 3830H or 3840H, and an additional 0.5 BIOL credit at the 3000 level or beyond.
Application forms can be found on the Biology Forms & Processes page and must be submitted before April 15 in the year prior to enrolment. Students may not apply retroactively. Students may take only one of BIOM 4450Y, 4451H, or 4460H for credit. The deadline for students to secure placements is August 10 (if August 10 falls on a weekend, the immediately following Monday will be the deadline).
Internship in Medical Sciences (BIOM 4460H)
A placement in a hospital, human, or animal health-care setting (e.g., dental or veterinary clinic) for at least three hours a week for 12 weeks. Students are also assigned practical readings and background theory from their preceptor(s). It is open only to students in the Biomedical Science Degree program.
Prerequisite: A minimum cumulative average of 80% and 14.0 university credits including BIOL 3040H, BIOL 3080H and one of BIOL 3830H or 3840H, and an additional 0.5 BIOL credit at the 3000 level or beyond.
Enrolment is limited and competitive. The minimum averages for acceptance may be higher than those required to apply for the internship, especially for an internship at a hospital. Students must apply in the year before anticipated enrolment in the course. Application forms can be found on the Biology Forms & Processes page and must be submitted before April 15. Students may not apply retroactively. Students may take only one of BIOM 4460H, 4450Y, or 4451H for credit. The deadline for students (regardless of which term the internship is in) to submit all required paperwork, including confirmation of all required vaccinations and police check, is August 10 (if August 10 falls on a weekend, the immediately following Monday will be the deadline).
Specializations
The Trent University Biology Department is currently offering two different Specializations within the Biology Degree program: the Specialization in Conservation Biology, and the Specialization in Health Sciences. Students are encouraged to review the requirements of the Specializations in the Undergraduate Academic Calendar.
Specialization in Conservation Biology
The Specialization in Conservation Biology is designed to provide students with theoretical and practical training in the conservation of living organisms.
Specialization in Health Sciences
The Specialization in Health Sciences is intended for students who are interested in a career related to health care or research. The Specialization will give students training in both the practical and theoretical aspects of a diversity of medically-related topics.
