Course Coordinator:Ayodele Olofinjana (aolofinj@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.
For all engineering disciplines, understanding how materials behave is core to selecting the right material to design innovative structures and devices. This course will introduce you to the most commonly used engineering materials' fundamental atomic structures and basic properties. It will develop your understanding of the micro- and macroscopic structures and behaviours of materials. You will gain an appreciation of a material's structure and how processing influences properties and performance to meet its engineering function.
Activity | Hours | Beginning Week | Frequency |
Blended learning | |||
Learning materials – Asynchronous weekly learning material | 1hr | Week 1 | 13 times |
Seminar – First Seminar on campus, second seminar online | 2hrs | Week 1 | 2 times |
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On campus | 2hrs | Week 2 | 12 times |
Laboratory 1 – On campus | 2hrs | Week 4 | 2 times |
Topics may include:
100 Level (Introductory)
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 | Explain how material properties and behaviour are dependent on the crystallinity, microstructure, and phase composition and how these can be controlled by processing. | Knowledgeable |
1, 1, 1.1.a, 1.1.a, 1.3.a, 1.3.a, 1.1, 1.1, 1.3, 1.3 |
2 | Investigate the functional requirements of engineering devices and structures and match these with enabling materials properties to aid material selection for common engineering applications. | Creative and critical thinker |
2, 2, 2.1.a, 2.1.a, 2.1.d, 2.1.d, 2.1, 2.1 |
3 | Conduct collaborative laboratory experiments, applying theoretical and team-working skills. |
Empowered Engaged |
2, 2, 2.2.f, 2.2.f, 2.2, 2.2, 3.6.b, 3.6.b |
4 | Interpret and critically review information on environmental, economic and social issues involved in material selection and appreciate alternative solutions for sustainable engineering practice. |
Ethical Sustainability-focussed |
1, 1, 1.6.c, 1.6.c, 1.6, 1.6, 3, 3, 3.1.a, 3.1.a, 3.1, 3.1 |
5 | Prepare a technical report based on materials engineering laboratory experiments. | Engaged |
3, 3, 3.2.b, 3.2.b, 3.2, 3.2 |
CODE | COMPETENCY |
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Engineering Technologist Competency Standards | |
1 | Elements of competency: Knowledge and Skill Base |
1.1.a | Knowledge and Skill Base - Systematic, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the technology domain: Engages with the technology domain at a phenomenological level, applying sciences and engineering fundamentals to systematic investigation, interpretation, analysis and innovative solution of broadly-defined problems and engineering technology practice. |
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. |
1.6.c | Knowledge and Skill Base - Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the technology domain: Appreciates the social, environmental and economic principles of sustainable engineering practice. |
1.1 | Knowledge and Skill Base: Systematic, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the technology domain. |
1.3 | Knowledge and Skill Base: In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the technology domain. |
1.6 | Knowledge and Skill Base: Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in 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. |
2.2.f | Engineering Application Ability - Application of engineering techniques, tools and resources within the technology domain: Designs and conducts experiments, analyses and interprets result data and formulates reliable conclusions. |
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. |
3.6.b | Professional and Personal Attributes - Effective team membership and team leadership: Functions as an effective member or leader of diverse engineering teams, including those with multi-level, multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural dimensions. |
3 | Elements of competency: Professional and Personal Attributes |
3.1.a | Professional and Personal Attributes - Ethical conduct and professional accountability: Demonstrates commitment to uphold the Engineers Australia - Code of Ethics, and established norms of professional conduct pertinent to the technology domain. |
3.2.b | Professional and Personal Attributes - Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains: Prepares high quality engineering documents such as progress and project reports, reports of investigations and feasibility studies, proposals, specifications, design records, drawings, technical descriptions and presentations pertinent to the technology domain. |
3.1 | Professional and Personal Attributes: Ethical conduct and professional accountability. |
3.2 | Professional and Personal Attributes: Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains. |
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Professional Engineer Competency Standards | |
1 | Elements of competency: Knowledge and Skill Base |
1.1.a | Knowledge and Skill Base - Comprehensive, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline: Engages with the engineering discipline at a phenomenological level, applying sciences and engineering fundamentals to systematic investigation, interpretation, analysis and innovative solution of complex problems and broader aspects of engineering practice. |
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. |
1.6.c | Knowledge and Skill Base - Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific discipline: Appreciates the social, environmental and economic principles of sustainable engineering practice. |
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. |
1.3 | Knowledge and Skill Base: In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline. |
1.6 | Knowledge and Skill Base: Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific 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. |
2.2.f | Engineering Application Ability - Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources: Designs and conducts experiments, analyses and interprets result data and formulates reliable conclusions. |
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. |
3.6.b | Professional and Personal Attributes - Effective team membership and team leadership: Functions as an effective member or leader of diverse engineering teams, including those with multi-level, multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural dimensions. |
3 | Elements of competency: Professional and Personal Attributes |
3.1.a | Professional and Personal Attributes - Ethical conduct and professional accountability: Demonstrates commitment to uphold the Engineers Australia - Code of Ethics, and established norms of professional conduct pertinent to the engineering discipline. |
3.2.b | Professional and Personal Attributes - Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains: Prepares high quality engineering documents such as progress and project reports, reports of investigations and feasibility studies, proposals, specifications, design records, drawings, technical descriptions and presentations pertinent to the engineering discipline. |
3.1 | Professional and Personal Attributes: Ethical conduct and professional accountability. |
3.2 | Professional and Personal Attributes: Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains. |
Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.
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Standard Grading (GRD)
High Distinction (HD), Distinction (DN), Credit (CR), Pass (PS), Fail (FL). |
Early feedback will be provided through completion of weekly activities in workshops. Furthermore, feedback on each assessment will be provided which will be used to help with the following assessment.
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 | 1a | Quiz/zes | Individual | 10% | 30 minutes |
Week 4 | Online Test (Quiz) |
All | 1b | Quiz/zes | Individual | 10% | 30 mins |
Week 8 | Online Test (Quiz) |
All | 1c | Quiz/zes | Individual | 10% | 30 mins |
Week 11 | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
All | 2 | Practical / Laboratory Skills, and Written Piece | Individual | 20% | 1 Hours |
Week 9 | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
All | 3 | Examination - Centrally Scheduled | Individual | 50% | 4 Hours |
Exam Period | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
All - Assessment Task 1a:Online Quiz | |||||||||||||
Goal: | To apply theoretical knowledge of the fundamental properties of engineering materials, explaining how materials can be classified into different families and solve problems relating to the behaviour of materials in service. |
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Product: | Quiz/zes | ||||||||||||
Format: | Online Quiz |
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Criteria: |
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Generic Skills: | Problem solving |
All - Assessment Task 1b:Online Quiz | |||||||
Goal: | To demonstrate and apply theoretical knowledge to the function of engineering materials relating to structural, thermal, electrical and magnetic applications. |
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Product: | Quiz/zes | ||||||
Format: | Online Quiz |
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Criteria: |
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Generic Skills: | Problem solving, Applying technologies |
All - Assessment Task 1c:Online Quiz | |||||||
Goal: | To demonstrate an understanding of microstructures and phase diagrams in engineering alloys and how this relates to mechanical properties. |
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Product: | Quiz/zes | ||||||
Format: | Online Quiz |
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Criteria: |
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Generic Skills: | Communication, Problem solving, Applying technologies |
All - Assessment Task 2:Laboratory report | |||||||||||||||||||
Goal: | To apply theoretical knowledge of the fundamental properties of engineering materials, explaining how materials can be classified into different families and solve problems relating to the behaviour of materials in service. |
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Product: | Practical / Laboratory Skills, and Written Piece | ||||||||||||||||||
Format: | Online Assignment |
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Criteria: |
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Generic Skills: | Communication, Problem solving, Applying technologies, Information literacy |
All - Assessment Task 3:Examination | ||||||||||||||||
Goal: | To demonstrate and apply theoretical knowledge of the properties of engineering materials and solve problems based on making an informed and reasoned choice for materials selection decisions in engineering practice. |
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Product: | Examination - Centrally Scheduled | |||||||||||||||
Format: | End of semester exam |
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Criteria: |
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Generic Skills: | Problem solving |
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.
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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.
Eligibility for Supplementary Assessment 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 will be penalised at the following maximum rate (the rates are cumulative): - 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 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 and supply the required documentation to negotiate an outcome. Refer to the Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs – Procedures
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