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Course Outline

MCH500 Systems and Signals

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

2026Trimester 1

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.

What is this course about?

Description

In this course you will learn, understand and apply the theories and practices of signals and systems. The course introduces concepts of continuous-time and discrete-time signals including the Laplace and Fourier transforms and their applications in engineering. The student is also introduced to filter design, image processing and signal processing approaches using wavelets.

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
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

Course Topics

Topcis may include:

  • Signals
  • Linear Time-Invariant Systems
  • Laplace Transform
  • Applications of the Laplace Transform
  • Fourier Analysis
  • Applications of the Fourier Transform
  • Discrete-Time Signals and Systems
  • Applications of Discrete-Time Signals and Systems
  • Filter Design
  • Introduction to Image Processing
  • Introduction to Wavelets

What level is this course?

500 Level (Advanced)

Engaging with new discipline knowledge and skills at an advanced level or deepening existing knowledge and skills within a discipline. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts.

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 Appraise the fundamental principles of continuous-time and discrete-time signals and their sampling techniques to sensors. Knowledgeable 
1, 1, 1.3.a, 1.3.a, 1.3, 1.3
2 Demonstrate knowledge of the principles and applications of Laplace Transform in systems and signals engineering. Knowledgeable 
1, 1, 1.3.a, 1.3.a, 1.3, 1.3
3 Critically analyze continuous-time and discrete-time signals, considering sampling and aliasing challenges. Creative and critical thinker 
2, 2, 2.1.a, 2.1.a, 2.1, 2.1
4 Apply complex numbers and complex exponentials as phasors to analyse periodic wave forms and Fourier series. Creative and critical thinker 
2, 2, 2.1.a, 2.1.a, 2.1, 2.1
5 Apply various techniques such as windowing, DFT, and FFT for signal analysis and processing. Empowered 
2, 2, 2.2.b, 2.2.b, 2.2, 2.2
6 Employ time-frequency spectrum analysis techniques, including spectrogram, to investigate signal properties. Empowered 
2, 2, 2.2.b, 2.2.b, 2.2, 2.2
7 Critically evaluate concepts in signals and systems for their broader applications in relevant fields such as image processing and biomedical signal processing. Knowledgeable
Creative and critical thinker
Empowered
Communication
Problem solving
Applying technologies 
2.1.a, 2.1.d, 2.1.f, 2.1.g, 2.3.a, 3.2.a

* Competencies by Professional Body

CODE COMPETENCY
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Engineering Technologist Competency Standards
1 Elements of competency: Knowledge and Skill Base
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.
1.3 Knowledge and Skill Base: In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within 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.
2.2.b Engineering Application Ability - Application of engineering techniques, tools and resources within the technology domain: Understands the principles, limitations and accuracy of mathematical, physical or computational modelling.
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.
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Professional Engineer Competency Standards
1 Elements of competency: Knowledge and Skill Base
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.
1.3 Knowledge and Skill Base: In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within 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.
2.2.b Engineering Application Ability - Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources: Constructs or selects and applies from a qualitative description of a phenomenon, process, system, component or device a mathematical, physical or computational model based on fundamental scientific principles and justifiable simplifying assumptions.
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.
2.1.g Engineering Application Ability - Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving: Critically reviews and applies relevant standards and codes of practice underpinning the engineering discipline and nominated specialisations.
2.3.a Engineering Application Ability - Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes: Proficiently applies technical knowledge and open ended problem solving skills as well as appropriate tools and resources to design components, elements, systems, plant, facilities and/or processes to satisfy user requirements.
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.
3.2.a Professional and Personal Attributes - Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains: Is proficient in listening, speaking, reading and writing English.

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

Enrolled in MC003

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

Not applicable

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

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 25% 
1500 words
 Week 7 Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Quiz/zes Individual 20% 
5 quizzes
 Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Examination - Centrally Scheduled Individual 40% 
2 hours
 Exam Period Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 4 Oral Individual 15% 
A 10-12 minute presentation which may be followed by approximately 5-10 minutes of questions.
 Week 12 Online Submission
All - Assessment Task 1:Project
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
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 
Critical analysis of continuous-time and discrete-time signals, considering sampling and aliasing challenges.
 3
2 
Application of complex numbers and complex exponentials as phasors to understand periodic wave forms and Fourier series.
 4
3 
Application of various techniques such as windowing, DFT, and FFT for signal analysis and processing.
 5
4 
Employment of time-frequency spectrum analysis techniques, including spectrogram, to investigate signal properties.
 6
5 
Appraisal of the fundamental principles of continuous-time and discrete-time signals and their sampling techniques to sensors.
 1
6 
Demonstration of knowledge of the principles and applications of Laplace Transform in systems and signals engineering.
 2
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Organisation, Applying technologies, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 2:Quizzes
Goal:
Product: Quiz/zes
Format: 
Relevant tasks and problems to enforce understanding of the students and help in gradual development of knowledge and skills throughout the course. Week 3, 5, 7, 9, 11.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Critical analysis of continuous-time and discrete-time signals, considering sampling and aliasing challenges.
 3
2 
Application of complex numbers and complex exponentials as phasors to understand periodic wave forms and Fourier series.
 4
3 
Application of various techniques such as windowing, DFT, and FFT for signal analysis and processing.
 5
4 
Employment of time-frequency spectrum analysis techniques, including spectrogram, to investigate signal properties.
 6
5 
Appraisal of the fundamental principles of continuous-time and discrete-time signals and their sampling techniques to sensors.
 1
6 
Demonstration of knowledge of the principles and applications of Laplace Transform in systems and signals engineering.
 2
Generic Skills: 
Problem solving, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Final exam
Goal: 
Questions and problems related to the course contents
Product: Examination - Centrally Scheduled
Format: 
Questions and problems related to the course contents
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Critical analysis of continuous-time and discrete-time signals, considering sampling and aliasing challenges.
 3
2 
Application of complex numbers and complex exponentials as phasors to understand periodic wave forms and Fourier series.
 4
3 
Application of various techniques such as windowing, DFT, and FFT for signal analysis and processing.
 5
4 
Employment of time-frequency spectrum analysis techniques, including spectrogram, to investigate signal properties.
 6
5 
Appraisal of the fundamental principles of continuous-time and discrete-time signals and their sampling techniques to sensors.
 1
6 
Demonstration of knowledge of the principles and applications of Laplace Transform in systems and signals engineering.
 2
Generic Skills: 
Problem solving, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 4:Course summary and critical evaluation
Goal: 
To assess your ability to critically evaluate concepts in signals and systems for their broader applications in the fields of image processing and biomedical signal processing.
Product: Oral
Format: 
Presentation
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Synthesis & Critical Evaluation: Integrated and insightful critiques of core course concepts and their interrelationships.
 7
2 
Clarity & Communication: Well-organised, engaging, and clear presentation, effectively using visuals to enhance understanding.
 7
3 
Engagement & Understanding: Accurate and thoughtful responses to questions, demonstrating deep understanding and critical thinking.
 7
Generic Skills: 
Communication, 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

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

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

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.

Study help

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.

Wellbeing Services

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.

AccessAbility Services

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.

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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