Course Coordinator:Adrian McCallum (amccallu@usc.edu.au) School:School of Science, Technology and Engineering
UniSC Moreton Bay |
Blended learning | You can do this course without coming onto campus, unless your program has specified a mandatory onsite requirement. |
Online |
Online | You can do this course without coming onto campus. |
Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.
This course is the first course of a larger capstone engineering project. It will develop your knowledge and skills to undertake an engineering research project. You will apply advanced knowledge of an area of engineering relevant to your discipline and of relevance to external stakeholders. It may include computational engineering, laboratory work, design, analysis and site visits. It will equip you with highly developed research and analytical skills relevant to engineering problems and will ensure you have the basic skills needed to undertake a higher research degree.
Activity | Hours | Beginning Week | Frequency |
Blended learning | |||
Learning materials – Asynchronous weekly learning material | 1hr | Week 1 | 12 times |
Seminar – On campus | 1hr | Week 1 | 3 times |
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On campus | 2hrs | Week 1 | 10 times |
Online | |||
Learning materials – Asynchronous weekly learning material | 1hr | Week 1 | 12 times |
Seminar – Online | 1hr | Week 1 | 3 times |
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Online | 2hrs | Week 1 | 10 times |
Topics may include:
The particular project will be conducted in collaboration with an industrial or commercial partner, where possible.
700 Level (Specialised)
24 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 * Engineers Australia Stage 1 Professional Engineer Competency Standards | |
1 | Evaluate and synthesise relevant research literature to gain an in-depth understanding of the current developments in the specific area of the research project to inform the appropriate approach for the engineering research project. | Knowledgeable |
1, 1.5.a, 1.5, 3, 3.1.a, 3.1 |
2 | Apply critical and independent thinking to research design, investigation and experimentation to identify gaps in knowledge and synthesise advanced novel engineering solutions that challenge the current state of knowledge and engineering practices. | Creative and critical thinker |
2, 2.1.a, 2.1.d, 2.1.f, 2.1, 3, 3.1.d, 3.2.a, 3.2.b, 3.3.a, 3.1, 3.2, 3.3 |
3 | Analyse and evaluate engineering research data at an advanced level (appropriate to the discipline or advanced field of research). | Empowered |
2, 2.2.f, 2.2 |
4 | Apply the ethics, norms and concepts that guide engineering (research) practice (including professionalism, innovation and adaptability). | Ethical |
3, 3.1.a, 3.1.b, 3.1.d, 3.1 |
5 | Design, execute and lead a research project that contributes to the advancement of the engineering discipline and/or field of research. | Engaged |
2, 2.3.c, 2.3, 3, 3.5.c, 3.5.d, 3.5 |
6 | Recognise the importance of continuous professional development and awareness of the current engineering practice. | Engaged |
3, 3.5.c, 3.5 |
CODE | COMPETENCY |
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Professional Engineer Competency Standards | |
1 | Elements of competency: Knowledge and Skill Base |
1.5.a | Knowledge and Skill Base - Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline: Identifies and applies systematic principles of engineering design relevant to the engineering discipline. |
1.5 | Knowledge and Skill Base: Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting 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.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. |
2.3.c | Engineering Application Ability - Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes: Executes and leads a whole systems design cycle approach. |
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. |
2.3 | Engineering Application Ability: Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes. |
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. |
3.1.d | Professional and Personal Attributes - Ethical conduct and professional accountability: Is aware of the fundamental principles of intellectual property rights and protection. |
3.2.a | Professional and Personal Attributes - Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains: Is proficient in listening, speaking, reading and writing English. |
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. |
3.3.a | Professional and Personal Attributes - Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour: Applies creative approaches to identify and develop alternative concepts, solutions and procedures, appropriately challenges engineering practices from technical and non-technical viewpoints; identifies new technological opportunities. |
3.1.b | Professional and Personal Attributes - Ethical conduct and professional accountability: Understands the need for ‘due-diligence’ in certification, compliance and risk management processes. |
3.5.c | Professional and Personal Attributes - Orderly management of self, and professional conduct: Demonstrates commitment to life-long learning and professional development. |
3.5.d | Professional and Personal Attributes - Orderly management of self, and professional conduct: Manages time and processes effectively, prioritises competing demands to achieve personal, career and organisational goals and objectives. |
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. |
3.3 | Professional and Personal Attributes: Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour. |
3.5 | Professional and Personal Attributes: Orderly management of self, and professional conduct. |
Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.
Enrolled MC002, MC003, MC004, MC005 or MC006
Not applicable
Not applicable
Not applicable
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 | 1 | Written Piece | Individual | 100% | 5000 words |
Exam Period | Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check |
All - Assessment Task 1:Progress plan | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Goal: | Students provide a progress plan for their research project. |
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Product: | Written Piece | |||||||||||||||||||||
Format: | Progress plan and review. Pass/Fail |
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Criteria: |
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Generic Skills: | Communication, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy |
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.
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%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scaleYour 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 submissions may be penalised up to and including the following maximum percentage of the assessment task’s identified value, with weekdays and weekends included in the calculation of days late:
(a) One day: deduct 5%;
(b) Two days: deduct 10%;
(c) Three days: deduct 20%;
(d) Four days: deduct 40%;
(e) Five days: deduct 60%;
(f) Six days: deduct 80%;
(g) Seven days: A result of zero is awarded for the assessment task.The following penalties will apply for a late submission for an online examination:
Less than 15 minutes: No penalty
From 15 minutes to 30 minutes: 20% penalty
More than 30 minutes: 100% penalty
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The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.
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.
If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.
Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.
To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.
Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.
To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.
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