Course Outline
ELC400 Robotics and Autonomous Systems
Course Coordinator:David Alonso-Caneiro (dalonsocaneiro@usc.edu.au) School:School of Science, Technology and Engineering
2026Semester 1
UniSC 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 unisc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.
What is this course about?
Description
The utilisation of robotics and autonomous systems is playing a major role in improving society and industries. An example is the recent trend towards autonomous vehicles. This course will help you to learn about the principles, design, and implementation of robotics and autonomous systems including robotic programming, sensing, path planning and control, including concepts such as the design principles of mobile robots, AI control, ethical aspects of robotic autonomous systems, etc. This course will provide you hands-on experience to design, analyze and evaluate robotic autonomous systems.
How will this course be delivered?
| Activity | Hours | Beginning Week | Frequency |
| Blended learning | |||
| Learning materials – Asynchronous learning materials | 1hr | Week 1 | 13 times |
| Laboratory 1 – On campus | 2hrs | Week 1 | 4 times |
| Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On campus | 2hrs | Week 2 | 10 times |
| Seminar – On campus | 1hr | Week 1 | Once Only |
Course Topics
- Robot programming principles
- Sensing for robots
- Path planning and control
- Sensor and actuation devices
- Introduction to AI swarm and control
- Mobile robots
- Ethical aspects of robotic autonomous systems
What level is this course?
400 Level (Graduate)
What is the unit value of this course?
12 units
How does this course contribute to my learning?
| 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 * Engineers Australia Stage 1 Professional Engineer Competency Standards | |
| 1 | Investigate the operation and design principle of robotics and autonomous systems based on the underlying theories and design considerations | Creative and critical thinker |
1.3, 2.3, 3.2, 3.6 |
| 2 | Solve design problems associated with the integration of robotic components, sensors, actuator devices and associated electronic devices into an autonomous robotic system | Empowered |
1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 3.2 |
| 3 | Demonstrate knowledge and apply theories in design, control and pathfinding algorithms in robotics and autonomous systems | Knowledgeable |
1.1, 1.2, 2.1, 3.2 |
| 4 | Communicate robotic autonomous systems using appropriate engineering terminology, symbols and diagrams | Engaged |
1.1, 2.3, 3.2 |
| 5 | Work collaboratively in teams to design robotic and autonomous system to meet specified requirements | Empowered |
1.1, 2.1, 3.2, 3.6 |
* Competencies by Professional Body
| CODE | COMPETENCY |
| Engineers Australia Stage 1 Professional Engineer Competency Standards | |
| 1.1 | Knowledge and Skill Base: Comprehensive, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline. |
| 1.2 | Knowledge and Skill Base: Conceptual understanding of the mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline. |
| 1.3 | Knowledge and Skill Base: In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline. |
| 2.1 | Engineering Application Ability: Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving. |
| 2.3 | Engineering Application Ability: Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes. |
| 3.2 | Professional and Personal Attributes: Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains. |
| 3.6 | Professional and Personal Attributes: Effective team membership and team leadership. |
Am I eligible to enrol in this course?
Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.
Pre-requisites
ELC304
Co-requisites
Not applicable
Anti-requisites
Not applicable
Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)
Not applicable
Microcredential Information
Not applicable
How am I going to be assessed?
Grading Scale
Standard Grading (GRD)
| High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL). |
Details of early feedback on progress
Assessment tasks
| 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 | Portfolio | Group | 30% | Each task is to be documented in a report and submitted in a group (maximum page limit of 15 pages. Each student writes approximately 1000 words and groups of 4-5. |
Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) | In Class |
| All | 2 | Artefact - Technical and Scientific, and Written Piece | Group | 30% | The project-based design / case study report is to be written with a maximum page limit of 10 pages. Each student writes approximately 1000 words. |
Week 11 | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
| All | 3 | Examination - Centrally Scheduled | Individual | 40% | 2 hours |
Exam Period | Exam Venue |
| All - Assessment Task 1:Report | |||||||||||||
| Goal: | Through this task, the students develop understanding on the underlying theories and operational principles of robotics and autonomous systems. The students will carry out studies and implementations using hardware and robotic components to validate their theoretical understandings on the emerging topics in modern robotic and autonomous systems |
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| Product: | Portfolio | ||||||||||||
| Authorship Statement: | |||||||||||||
| Format: | Reports describing and critically analyzing the simulation tasks. Each task is required to be documented as written reports and submitted in a group. Submit in weeks 4, 7, 10 |
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| Criteria: |
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| Generic Skills: | |||||||||||||
| All - Assessment Task 2:Project-Based Case Study | |||||||||||||
| Goal: | This task will develop critical thinking and analyzing ability of the students to formulate, design and evaluate performance of robotic system with collaboration utilizing the appropriate industry hardware and components. |
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| Product: | Artefact - Technical and Scientific, and Written Piece | ||||||||||||
| Authorship Statement: | |||||||||||||
| Format: | A professional engineering report, which documents analytical solutions and/or software simulations. |
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| Criteria: |
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| Generic Skills: | |||||||||||||
| All - Assessment Task 3:Final Exam | |||||||||||||
| Goal: | The final exam will develop your ability to independently apply your skills and knowledge to solve familiar problem-based questions with confidence within a set time limit and without access to additional resources. |
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| Product: | Examination - Centrally Scheduled | ||||||||||||
| Authorship Statement: | |||||||||||||
| Format: | Centrally scheduled 2 hour closed book examination |
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| Criteria: |
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| Generic Skills: | |||||||||||||
Directed study hours
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.
Schedule
| Period and Topic | Activities |
n/a |
n/a |
What resources do I need to undertake this course?
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.
Prescribed text(s) or course reader
Specific requirements
Not applicable
How are risks managed in this course?
What administrative information is relevant to this course?
Assessment: Academic Integrity
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.
Assessment: Additional Requirements
Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment Your eligibility for supplementary assessment in a course is dependent of the following conditions applying: a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4% b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale c) You have not failed an assessment task in the course due to academic misconductAssessment: Submission penalties
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.Links to relevant University policy and procedures
For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:
- Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
- Review of Assessment and Final Grades
- Supplementary Assessment
- Central Examinations
- Deferred Examinations
- Student Conduct
- Students with a Disability
For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching
Student Charter
UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.
General Enquiries
- In person:
- UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
- UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
- UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
- UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
- UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
- UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
- Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
- Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au