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Course Outline

ENG403 Engineering Research Methodology

Course Coordinator:Helen Fairweather (hfairwea@usc.edu.au) School:School of Science, Technology and Engineering

2026Semester 2

UniSC Sunshine Coast

 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

Problem solving skills are essential requirements for engineers. When complex theoretical and technical problems are solved, new knowledge is created. In this course you learn how to apply the engineering research process and methods of inquiry to solve these problems. This involves critiquing current research in your discipline and developing competence in using instruments and software to collect data. You analyse and evaluate the results and judge their quality and limitations. You also learn how to communicate findings in specific engineering formats to specialist audiences.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Lecture 2hrs Not applicable 13 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 2hrs Not applicable 12 times

Course Topics

Literature search,

review and citation practices

Problem identification, formulating research questions

Quantitative and qualitative methods – strengths and weaknesses

Instrumentation and data logging

Data sampling, collection, testing

Data analysis, interpretation and limitations

Validity, reliability, sources of error

Data management and presentation

What level is this course?

400 Level (Graduate)

Demonstrating coherence and breadth or depth of knowledge and skills. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts. Meeting professional requirements and AQF descriptors for the degree. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory or developing knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally undertaken in the third or fourth full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

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 Apply current knowledge of quantitative and qualitative methods used in engineering research. Empowered 
1.4
2 Analyse, interpret and evaluate data that relate to complex theoretical and technical engineering problems. Creative and critical thinker 
2.1, 2.2
3 Communicate complex research results to specialist audiences. Engaged 
3.3, 3.4
4 Act professionally, autonomously and in teams to produce a professional product. Ethical 
3.4, 3.5, 3.6

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Professional Engineer Competency Standards
1.4 Knowledge and Skill Base: Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within 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.
3.3 Professional and Personal Attributes: Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour.
3.4 Professional and Personal Attributes: Professional use and management of information.
3.5 Professional and Personal Attributes: Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.
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

192 units and enrolled in Program SC410, SC411, SC425

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Statistics, computer programming (e.g. MATLAB and EXCEL scripting) to analyse data

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

​Online quizzes from week 2 will provide both the student and the lecturer/tutors with a mechanism for tracking the student’s 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 Artefact - Technical and Scientific, and Written Piece Group 40% 
Pitch video + 1500 word technical report
 Week 7 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Literature Review (or component) Individual 30% 
1500 words
 Week 12 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Quiz/zes Individual 30% 
Online quizzes related to the material presented each week
 Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) Online Submission
All - Assessment Task 1:Data Analyses of an Engineering-based Problem
Goal: 
This is an authentic assessment item that immerses you in the complexity you can expect as a practicing engineer applying your knowledge of the engineering research process and methods.  You will demonstrate skill in data techniques to determine the limitations inherent in measurement and analyses.
Product: Artefact - Technical and Scientific, and Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
You will be participating in the GovHack Queensland weekend event and provided with real data that is in the public domain. You will work collaboratively to create a video pitch of idea/concept and solution and write a technical report on analyses conducted.  

You will be awarded an individual grade according to an algorithm that uses the grade assigned by the lecturer/tutor for the whole task plus a rating of your contribution by the other students in the group (a peer assessment)-. Peer ratings are submitted when you submit the report. Marks will be recorded and made available to students through Gradebook.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Oral presentation: Pitch Video
 3
2 
Identification of the problem to be solved
 2
3 
Analysis and evaluation of data
 2
4 
Technical report
 3
5 
Demonstration of a professional attitude and collaboration in a team environment (peer review)
 4
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Literature review and identifying a research question
Goal: 
You will take the role of a researcher and write an individual 1500 word literature review and critically analyse a publication in a relevant Civil or Mechanical Engineering field.
Product: Literature Review (or component)
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
1500 words 

Harvard referencing 

More information in your Blackboard assignment folder.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Evaluation of quantitative and qualitative methods – lit review
 1
2 
Critical analysis and evaluation – lit review
 3
3 
Synthesis – review of a single publication within the field
 3
4 
Quality of submission
 4
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Three Quizzes
Goal: 
To demonstrate and apply knowledge, analyse relationships, and solve problems in Engineering research methods.
Product: Quiz/zes
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Weeks 4, 8 and 12

You will be asked to solve Engineering problems in an online quiz for three weeks of the semester on Blackboard based on material covered in the lectures and tutorials.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Interpretation and evaluation of quantitative methods
 1
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.

            

        

    


    

        

            

                
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

                    

                        You need regular access to the resource(s) below. Many texts are available as ebooks through the Library at no additional cost.
                    

                    

                        
                            

                                Required?
                                Author
                                Year
                                Title
                                Edition
                                Publisher
                            

                        
                        
                                

                                    Required
                                    Thiel, D. V.
                                    2014
                                    Research Methods for Engineering (ebook available through the library)
                                    n/a
                                    Cambridge University Press, UK
                                

                        
                    

            

        


        

            

                
Specific requirements

                    
Safety glasses and closed in footwear

            

        

    


    

        

            
How are risks managed in this course?

            
Risk assessments have been performed for all laboratory classes and a moderate level of health and safety risk exists. Moderate risks are those associated with laboratory work such as working with chemicals and hazardous substances. You will be required to undertake laboratory induction training and it is also your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff

        

    


    

        
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:

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
            

        


        

            

                
Assessment: 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

            

        

    







    

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