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Course Outline

MCH202 Electrical Machines and Drives

Course Coordinator:Sajeeb Saha (ssaha@usc.edu.au) School:School of Science, Technology and Engineering

2026Trimester 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

Electromechanical energy conversion theory is the cornerstone for the analysis of electromechanical motion devices. This course provides a broad overview of conversion devices and techniques. The course introduces concepts of machinery fundamentals and principles, transformers and AC / DC motors and generators.

How will this course be delivered?

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
Laboratory 1 – On campus 2hrs Week 2 5 times

Course Topics

Topics may include:

  • Introduction to Electrical Machines and Drives
  • Electromagnetic Principles
  • DC Machines
  • AC Machines: Induction Motors
  • AC Machines: Synchronous Motors
  • Transformers
  • Variable Frequency Drives
  • Control of Electrical Machines and Drives
  • Electric Motor Selection and Sizing
  • Advanced Drive Systems
  • Emerging Trends and Future of Electrical Machines and Drives
  • Consultation
  • Machinery principles.
  • AC circuits and power concepts.
  • Three phase circuits & singly and doubly excited systems.
  • Transformers.
  • AC and DC machinery fundamentals.
  • Synchronous motors and generators.
  • DC motors and generators.
  • Single phase and special purpose motors.
  • Motor driver circuits.

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 * Competencies from multiple Professional Bodies (see below) *
1 Explain and distinguish between energy conversion and electric machinery principles in describing operations and characteristics of transformers, motors and generators. Knowledgeable 
1, 1, 1.1.a, 1.1.a, 1.1, 1.1
2 Describe operations, principles and applications of single phase and special purpose motors. Knowledgeable 
1, 1, 1.1.a, 1.1.a, 1.1, 1.1
3 Analyse the energy conversion process within electric machines using the basic principles of electromechanical energy conversion. Creative and critical thinker 
2, 2, 2.1.a, 2.1.a, 2.1.b, 2.1.b, 2.1, 2.1
4 Calculate machine power and performance parameters. Creative and critical thinker 
2, 2, 2.1.b, 2.1.b, 2.1, 2.1
5 Draw circuit equivalence and perform energy conversion calculations for transformers, motors and generators. Creative and critical thinker 
2, 2, 2.1.b, 2.1.b, 2.1, 2.1
6 Determine a suitable electric machinery for a particular engineering system to operate under specific conditions. Empowered 
2, 2, 2.1.c, 2.1.c, 2.1.d, 2.1.d, 2.1.e, 2.1.e, 2.1, 2.1

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
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.
1.1 Knowledge and Skill Base: Comprehensive, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline.
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.b Engineering Application Ability - Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving: Ensures that all aspects of an engineering activity are soundly based on fundamental principles - by diagnosing, and taking appropriate action with data, calculations, results, proposals, processes, practices, and documented information that may be ill-founded, illogical, erroneous, unreliable or unrealistic.
2.1.c Engineering Application Ability - Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving: Competently addresses complex engineering problems which involve uncertainty, ambiguity, imprecise information and wide-ranging and sometimes conflicting technical and non-technical factors.
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.e Engineering Application Ability - Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving: Partitions problems, processes or systems into manageable elements for the purposes of analysis, modelling or design and then re-combines to form a whole, with the integrity and performance of the overall system as the paramount consideration.
2.1 Engineering Application Ability: Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.
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.
1.1 Knowledge and Skill Base: Systematic, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the technology domain.
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.b Engineering Application Ability - Application of established engineering methods to broadly-defined problem solving within the technology domain: Ensures that the application of specialist technologies are soundly based on fundamental principles by diagnosing, and taking appropriate action with data, calculations, results, proposals, processes, practices, and documented information that may be ill-founded, illogical, erroneous, unreliable or unrealistic.
2.1.c Engineering Application Ability - Application of established engineering methods to broadly-defined problem solving within the technology domain: Within specialist practice area(s), competently addresses broadly-defined engineering technology problems which involve uncertainty, ambiguity, imprecise information and wide-ranging and sometimes conflicting technical and non-technical factors.
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.
2.1.e Engineering Application Ability - Application of established engineering methods to broadly-defined problem solving within the technology domain: Manages conflicting issues associated with interfacing, integrating and adapting specialist technologies where complex problems, processes or systems that have been partitioned into manageable elements for the purposes of analysis, modelling, design, prototyping, commissioning or testing, are recombined.
2.1 Engineering Application Ability: Application of established engineering methods to broadly-defined problem solving within the technology domain.

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

SCI107

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

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.

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 Practical / Laboratory Skills, and Written Piece Individual 30% 
1500 words
 Week 6 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Quiz/zes Individual 20% 
5 x quizzes
 Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Examination - Centrally Scheduled Individual 50% 
2 hours
 Exam Period Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All - Assessment Task 1:Practical/Laboratory Skills, and Written Piece
Goal: 
Experimental work and / or projects to verify students ability to apply knowledge and skills acquired in the course
Product: Practical / Laboratory Skills, and Written Piece
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Experimental work and / or projects to verify students ability to apply knowledge and skills acquired in the course
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Explanation and distinguishing between energy conversion and electric machinery principles in describing operations and characteristics of transformers, motors and generators.
 1
2 
Description of operations, principles and applications of single phase and special purpose motors.
 2
3 
Analysis of the energy conversion process within electric machines using the basic principles of electromechanical energy conversion.
 3
4 
Calculation of machine power and performance parameters.
 4
5 
Drawing of circuit equivalence and perform energy conversion calculations for transformers, motors and generators.
 5
6 
Determination of a suitable electric machinery for a particular engineering system to operate under specific conditions.
 6
Generic Skills: 
Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Quiz/zes
Goal: 
Relevant tasks and problems to enforce understanding of the students and help in gradual development of knowledge and skills throughout the course.
Product: Quiz/zes
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Relevant tasks and problems to enforce understanding of the students and help in gradual development of knowledge and skills throughout the course. Weeks 3 ,5 ,7 ,9, 11
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Explanation and distinguishing between energy conversion and electric machinery principles in describing operations and characteristics of transformers, motors and generators.
 1
2 
Description of operations, principles and applications of single phase and special purpose motors.
 2
3 
Analysis of the energy conversion process within electric machines using the basic principles of electromechanical energy conversion.
 3
4 
Calculation of machine power and performance parameters.
 4
5 
Drawing of circuit equivalence and perform energy conversion calculations for transformers, motors and generators.
 5
6 
Determination of a suitable electric machinery for a particular engineering system to operate under specific conditions.
 6
Generic Skills: 
Problem solving
All - Assessment Task 3:Examination - Centrally Scheduled
Goal: 
Questions and problems related to the course contents
Product: Examination - Centrally Scheduled
Authorship Statement:
Format: 
Questions and problems related to the course contents
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Explanation and distinguishing between energy conversion and electric machinery principles in describing operations and characteristics of transformers, motors and generators.
 1
2 
Description of operations, principles and applications of single phase and special purpose motors.
 2
3 
Analysis of the energy conversion process within electric machines using the basic principles of electromechanical energy conversion.
 3
4 
Calculation of machine power and performance parameters.
 4
5 
Drawing of circuit equivalence and perform energy conversion calculations for transformers, motors and generators.
 5
6 
Determination of a suitable electric machinery for a particular engineering system to operate under specific conditions.
 6
Generic Skills: 
Problem solving

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

There are no required/recommended resources for this course.

Specific requirements

Not applicable

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:
(a) The final mark is in the percentage range 47% to 49.4%; and
(b) The course is graded using the Standard Grading scale

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 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

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

For course-specific questions, contact your teaching staff or Course Coordinator.  

For other enquiries or to access support, please contact Student Central: 

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