Course Coordinator:Adrian McCallum (amccallu@usc.edu.au) School:School of Science, Technology and Engineering
UniSC Sunshine CoastUniSC Moreton Bay |
Blended learning | Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online. |
Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.
In this course you will explore geoengineering fundamentals, including basic engineering geology, rock types, and geotechnical elements like soil and rock properties. Key concepts include void ratio, water content, and the two-phase model, assuming materials are granular and frictional. The course covers soil description, geological mapping, rock and soil classification, stress and strain in soils, shear soil failure, and shallow foundation design, with a focus on sustainable practices
Activity | Hours | Beginning Week | Frequency |
Blended learning | |||
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On campus workshop | 1hr | Week 1 | 13 times |
Laboratory 1 – On Campus Lab | 2hrs | Week 2 | 12 times |
Fieldwork – Fieldwork. Date to be advised | 2hrs | Week 1 | Once Only |
Learning materials – Asynchronous Learning Material | 1hr | Week 1 | 13 times |
Topics may include:
200 Level (Developing)
12 units
Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... | Graduate Qualities Mapping Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming... | Professional Standard Mapping * Competencies from multiple Professional Bodies (see below) * | |
1 | Evaluate information and concepts in the selection and characterisation of soil to synthesise solutions for various applications. | Creative and critical thinker |
2, 2, 2.1.a, 2.1.a, 2.1, 2.1 |
2 | Apply advanced technical knowledge and skills, and expert judgement in research based problem solving exercises in geotechnical engineering. | Creative and critical thinker |
2, 2, 2.1.d, 2.1.d, 2.1, 2.1 |
3 | Examine the technical aspects of alternative construction materials and techniques to justify optimal solutions for specified applications. | Creative and critical thinker |
2, 2, 2.1.f, 2.1.f, 2.1, 2.1 |
4 | Undertake laboratory based testing to determine soil properties. | Empowered |
2, 2, 2.2.h, 2.2.h, 2.2, 2.2 |
5 | Describe the various constituents of soil, their behaviour and effect on material properties. | Knowledgeable |
1, 1, 1.3.a, 1.3.a, 1.3, 1.3 |
CODE | COMPETENCY |
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Engineering Technologist Competency Standards | |
1 | Elements of competency: Knowledge and Skill Base |
1.3.a | Knowledge and Skill Base - In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the technology domain: Proficiently applies advanced technical knowledge and skills to deliver engineering outcomes in specialist area(s) of the technology domain and associated industry, commercial and community sectors. |
1.3 | Knowledge and Skill Base: In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the technology domain. |
2 | Elements of competency: Engineering Application Ability |
2.1.a | Engineering Application Ability - Application of established engineering methods to broadly-defined problem solving within the technology domain: Identifies, discerns and characterises salient issues, determines and analyses causes and effects, justifies and applies appropriate simplifying assumptions, predicts performance and behaviour, synthesises solution strategies and develops substantiated conclusions. |
2.1.d | Engineering Application Ability - Application of established engineering methods to broadly-defined problem solving within the technology domain: Recognises problems which have component elements and/or implications beyond the engineering technologist’s personal expertise and correctly identifies the need for supplementary professional input. |
2.1.f | Engineering Application Ability - Application of established engineering methods to broadly-defined problem solving within the technology domain: Critically evaluates alternative implementation approaches using specialist engineering technologies and evaluates potential outcomes against appropriate criteria to justify an optimal solution choice. |
2.2.h | Engineering Application Ability - Application of engineering techniques, tools and resources within the technology domain: Safely applies laboratory, test and experimental procedures appropriate to the technology domain. |
2.1 | Engineering Application Ability: Application of established engineering methods to broadly-defined problem solving within the technology domain. |
2.2 | Engineering Application Ability: Application of engineering techniques, tools and resources within the technology domain. |
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Professional Engineer Competency Standards | |
1 | Elements of competency: Knowledge and Skill Base |
1.3.a | Knowledge and Skill Base - In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline: Proficiently applies advanced technical knowledge and skills in at least one specialist practice domain of the engineering discipline. |
1.3 | Knowledge and Skill Base: In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline. |
2 | Elements of competency: Engineering Application Ability |
2.1.a | Engineering Application Ability - Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving: Identifies, discerns and characterises salient issues, determines and analyses causes and effects, justifies and applies appropriate simplifying assumptions, predicts performance and behaviour, synthesises solution strategies and develops substantiated conclusions. |
2.1.d | Engineering Application Ability - Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving: Investigates complex problems using research-based knowledge and research methods. |
2.1.f | Engineering Application Ability - Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving: Conceptualises alternative engineering approaches and evaluates potential outcomes against appropriate criteria to justify an optimal solution choice. |
2.2.h | Engineering Application Ability - Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources: Safely applies laboratory, test and experimental procedures appropriate to the engineering discipline. |
2.1 | Engineering Application Ability: Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving. |
2.2 | Engineering Application Ability: Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources. |
Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.
ENG105 or ENG102
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
Standard Grading (GRD)
High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL). |
Feedback will be provided every week in seminars/discussions. Example assessment pieces will be presented and considered prior to assessment being assigned.
Delivery mode | Task No. | Assessment Product | Individual or Group | Weighting % | What is the duration / length? | When should I submit? | Where should I submit it? |
All | 1 | Practical / Laboratory Skills, and Written Piece | Group | 40% | 4 report submissions, each up to 400 words (or equiv.) |
Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
All | 2 | Oral | Individual | 20% | 10-12 min |
Week 12 | In Class |
All | 3 | Written Piece | Individual | 40% | 2000 words |
Exam Period | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
All - Assessment Task 1:Group Laboratory Reports | ||||||||||||||||
Goal: | Group laboratory reports submitted on selected laboratory tasks. |
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Product: | Practical / Laboratory Skills, and Written Piece | |||||||||||||||
Format: | Submitted via Canvas due weeks after the relevant labs held on week 6,8,10 and 12. |
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Criteria: |
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Generic Skills: | Communication, Collaboration, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies |
All - Assessment Task 2:Oral Presentation | ||||||||||||||||
Goal: | Report on geotechnical engineering case study of interest. |
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Product: | Oral | |||||||||||||||
Format: | Individual oral presentation. |
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Criteria: |
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Generic Skills: | Communication, Organisation |
All - Assessment Task 3:Written Piece | |||||||||||||||||||
Goal: | Report answering questions that examine any or all of the course material. |
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Product: | Written Piece | ||||||||||||||||||
Format: | Written report answering prescribed questions. |
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Criteria: |
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Generic Skills: | Problem solving, Organisation |
A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.
Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.
Not applicable
Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation. It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline. This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.
Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person. You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.
In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin. This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.
Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconduct
Late submission of assessment tasks may be penalised at the following maximum rate: - 5% (of the assessment task's identified value) per day for the first two days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - 10% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the third day - 20% (of the assessment task's identified value) for the fourth day and subsequent days up to and including seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. - A result of zero is awarded for an assessment task submitted after seven days from the date identified as the due date for the assessment task. Weekdays and weekends are included in the calculation of days late. To request an extension you must contact your course coordinator to negotiate an outcome.
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For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.
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