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Course Outline

MCH200 Mechatronic Design 1

Course Coordinator:Umer Izhar (uizhar@usc.edu.au) School:School of Science, Technology and Engineering

2025Semester 2

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

We live in a world of change with advances in technology and automation regularly producing new products and ways of interacting with them. Mechatronic engineering is at the forefront of these advances. This course will develop your knowledge and technical skills in conceptualising, designing, and building products that respond to a variety of consumer and industry requirements. The content builds on foundational concepts from ENG103 and ENG104 through a hands-on approach to design methodology, solid modelling, computer programming, and electric circuits in simple mechatronic devices.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Learning materials – asynchronous learning materials 1hr Week 1 12 times
Laboratory 1 – On campus Computer Lab Weeks 3,5,7,9,11 2hrs Week 3 5 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On campus Weeks 2,4,6,8,10,12 2hrs Week 2 6 times
Tutorial/Workshop 2 – On campus tutorial 1hr Week 1 13 times

Course Topics

  • Introduction to mechatronics systems and design
  • Electrical circuit analysis
  • Signal amplification and switching circuits
  • Sensors and Transducers
  • Actuation
  • Conditioining and interfacing
  • Physical system modeling
  • Signals, systems and controls
  • Microcontroller and programming
  • 3D Solid Modeling

What level is this course?

200 Level (Developing)

Building on and expanding the scope of introductory knowledge and skills, developing breadth or depth and applying knowledge and skills in a new context. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally, undertaken in the second or third full-time year of an undergraduate programs.

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 Select appropriate theory and design methodologies to design simple mechatronic devices. Knowledgeable 
1.1, 1.2
2 Demonstrate solid modelling techniques and skills to illustrate components and assemblies of simple mechatronic systems and present these in engineering drawings. Empowered 
1.5, 2.2
3 Analyse design requirements and select most suitable components from manufacturers’ catalogues. Creative and critical thinker 
1.6, 2.2
4 Work collaboratively in teams to design components and simple machines to meet specified requirements. Empowered 
1.3, 3.6
5 Apply theory and knowledge to solve real life mechatronic problems. Engaged 
2.1, 2.3, 3.3
6 Communicate ideas and designs using appropriate engineering terminology, symbols and illustrations. Knowledgeable 
3.2

* 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.
1.5 Knowledge and Skill Base: Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting 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.
2.1 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.
3.2 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.
3.6 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

ENG104

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

Performance and feedback from class exercises and projects will demonstrate the level of proficiency and understanding of the course material.

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 Individual 30% 
Maximum 1500 words (or as stated)
 Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Practical / Laboratory Skills Individual 35% 
The lab report will be about 1500 words long including figures/schematics.
 Week 10 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Artefact - Technical and Scientific, and Written Piece Group 35% 
Project will be documented in a report of about 2000 words.
 Week 13 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Assignment
Goal: 
The assignment will develop your knowledge and understanding of fundamental design methodologies and the underlying mechanical and electronic design theories and their applications. The assignments will further give students the opportunity to bring together course specific knowledge to propose solution for mechatronic design problems.
Product: Artefact - Technical and Scientific, and Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
For each assignment you are required to work individually and propose a solution in the form of written document (about 500 words each) with supporting figures, models, and/or codes. Submissions will be distributed throughout the semester (i.e. weeks 3, 6, and 9)
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstration of knowledge and application of theories in simple mechatronics systems;
 1
2 
Application of theory and knowledge to solve real life mechatronic problems;
 5
3 
Analysis of design requirements and selection of the most suitable components from manufacturers’ catalogues for the design and development of a simple mechatronic device
 3
4 
Communication of design and solutions using appropriate engineering terminology, symbols and diagrams.
 6
Generic Skills: 

                        

                    

                

                

                    

                        

                            
                                All - Assessment Task 2:Practical and computer lab skills
                            
                        

                        

                            Goal:
                            
This assessment will build you skills and knowledge in programming microcontroller interfaced mechatronics systems. Moreover, you will work on solid models and associated engineering designs to model and fabricate parts to aid such systems (e.g. mobile robots).

                        

                        

                            Product:
                            Practical / Laboratory Skills
                        

                        

                            Authorship Statement:
                            
                        

                        

                            Format:
                            
Lab tasks should be submitted in the form of a collective report of about 1500 words with relevant files of programming script and/or 3D models/assembly.

                        

                        

                            Criteria:
                            
                                

                                    
                                        

                                            No.
                                            
                                            Learning Outcome assessed
                                        

                                    
                                    
                                            

                                                1
                                                
Demonstration of efficient and effective 3D solid modelling techniques and skills to develop models of components and assemblies

                                                
                                                        2
                                                
                                            

                                            

                                                2
                                                
Presentation of engineering drawings, using the appropriate format, symbols and projection standards.

                                                
                                                        6
                                                
                                            

                                            

                                                3
                                                
Communication of design specifications using appropriate engineering terminology, symbols and diagrams.

                                                
                                                        6
                                                
                                            

                                            

                                                4
                                                
Application of programming and interfacing techniques to solve relevant tasks at hand.

                                                
                                                        5
                                                
                                            

                                    
                                

                            		
                        

                        

                            Generic Skills:
                            

                        

                    

                

                

                    

                        

                            
                                All - Assessment Task 3:Design Project
                            
                        

                        

                            Goal:
                            
The project is designed as a hands-on activity to build your skills to be creative, innovate, apply design methodology, and build artefacts which meet the proposed design brief.

                        

                        

                            Product:
                            Artefact - Technical and Scientific, and Written Piece
                        

                        

                            Authorship Statement:
                            
                        

                        

                            Format:
                            
Project will be documented in a report and is submitted along with supporting files and demonstrations. Selected projects will be displayed in the school or at an appropriate event.

                        

                        

                            Criteria:
                            
                                

                                    
                                        

                                            No.
                                            
                                            Learning Outcome assessed
                                        

                                    
                                    
                                            

                                                1
                                                
Selection of appropriate theory and design methodologies to design and build simple mechatronic devices

                                                
                                                        1
                                                        5
                                                
                                            

                                            

                                                2
                                                
Analysis of design requirements and selection of most suitable components

                                                
                                                        3
                                                
                                            

                                            

                                                3
                                                
Performance of designed device against design criteria

                                                
                                                        5
                                                
                                            

                                            

                                                4
                                                
Communication of ideas and designs clearly and fluently, in both written and spoken forms

                                                
                                                        6
                                                
                                            

                                            

                                                5
                                                
Demonstration of ability to work collaboratively in teams to design components and simple machines to meet specified requirements.

                                                
                                                        4
                                                
                                            

                                    
                                

                            		
                        

                        

                            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
                                    W. Bolton
                                    2018
                                    Mechatronics
                                    7
                                    Pearson
                                

                        
                    

            

        


        

            

                
Specific requirements

                    
Fully enclosed shoes must be worn in the engineering laboratory. If you do not have the correct shoes you will not be allowed to do the practical. You must also undertake the laboratory induction before you can undertake any practical.

            

        

    


    

        

            
How are risks managed in this course?

            
Health and safety risks for this course have been assessed as low. It is 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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