AUT - Workplace experience
Workplace experience
The School of Applied Sciences is strongly focused on preparing students for rewarding careers in a wide array of industries and professions. Our close links with the scientific community ensure that your programme is applied and industry relevant, providing you with a transition between your studies and the working world.
Research Project
In the final year of your degree Bachelor of Applied Science students undertake a research project based on an issue faced by industry. The year-long project requires you to work on a specific development or improvement to an existing problem. You will investigate possible solutions through experimentation and research, and interpret and report the results.
Your project can be continued at postgraduate level where you may be working in conjunction with companies on research funded projects.
Example of projects include:
Third Year Chemisty students: Decontamination of Mapua site, Nelson (one of New Zealand's most heavily contaminated sites). Students investigate breaking down persistent organic pesticides and contaminants through the process of absorption of metals.
Doctoral student Tristan Bellington continued this project for his postgraduate studies. Tristan focused on a new technique in his research, known as mechanochemistry, for the remediation of persistent organic contaminants and other organic compounds in soil. The research looked at the destruction of DDT in quartz sand and proved effective for a wide range organic contaminants. This research led to the remediation of DDT and dieldrin contaminated soil at Mapua.
Work placements: Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science
All Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science students complete two placements of one semester each in a registered medical laboratory - for example, Middlemore Hospital. This gives you hands on experience in the two disciplines in which you are specialising ie. Clinical chemistry, haematology, histology, immunology, medical cytology, medical microbiology or transfusion science. Laboratories are not always in Auckland and your placement may be as far afield as Australia. The addition of work experience as part of your studies means you are ready to jump straight into a career in a medical laboratory environment.
Fia Saumamao – Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science
Fia Saumamao says he was well-prepared for his new career’s diverse demands thanks to studying at AUT.Fia works in a multi-disciplinary laboratory at Masterton Hospital, Wairarapa where staff are rotated around various roles. While he specialised in immunology and blood transfusion science during his Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science, the broad nature of the degree has been beneficial.
“I am using what I learnt at AUT every day, nothing is wasted. The wide range of skills covered has prepared me for almost everything.”