Course Outline
MEC300 Mechanical Design 2
Course Coordinator:Selvan Pather (spather@usc.edu.au) School:School of Science, Technology and Engineering
2026Semester 1
UniSC Sunshine CoastUniSC 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 which is driven by innovation and the desire for more efficient and sustainable machines and devices. This course provides you with the knowledge and skills to understand the design need, recognise the theory required and to synthesise an integrated solution. Machines comprise of a number of components working together to create a useful and efficient device. The course introduces you to the fundamental theory, applications and interaction of a number of machine components, which will work in an integrated manner to achieve the design requirements of the machine.
How will this course be delivered?
| Activity | Hours | Beginning Week | Frequency |
| Blended learning | |||
| Learning materials – On-line Learning Materials. | 2hrs | Week 1 | 13 times |
| Tutorial/Workshop 1 – On-campus tutorials | 2hrs | Week 1 | 13 times |
| Tutorial/Workshop 2 – On-campus workshop | 2hrs | Week 1 | 13 times |
Course Topics
- Revision of Stress/Strain Analysis
- Stress Concentrations and Factors of Safety
- Buckling of Columns
- Fatigue
- Threaded Fasteners
- Riveted and Welded Joints
- Design of Springs
- Lubrication and Plain Bearing
- Roller-element Bearings
- Design of Spur Gears
- Clutches and Brakes
- Belt Drives
- Shaft and Shaft Fittings
What level is this course?
300 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 | Demonstrate knowledge of the appropriate analytical principles to describe, design and predict thebehaviour of standard machine components. | Knowledgeable |
1.3, 2.3, 3.6 |
| 2 | Apply correct theoretical models to the design of appropriate machine components | Empowered |
2.2, 2.3 |
| 3 | Demonstrate creative and design skills and methodology in the design of two artefacts. | Engaged |
3.3, 3.6 |
| 4 | Present clarity of thought and expression in written and oral communication of design | Engaged |
2.3, 3.2, 3.5 |
* Competencies by Professional Body
| CODE | COMPETENCY |
| Engineers Australia Stage 1 Professional Engineer Competency Standards | |
| 1.3 | Knowledge and Skill Base: In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline. |
| 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. |
| 3.5 | 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
(ENG221 or MEC221 and (ENG227 or MEC227)
Co-requisites
Not applicable
Anti-requisites
ENG228
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
Feedback provided during engagement in weekly formative tutorial exercises 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 | Written Piece | Individual | 35% | Each assignment would require, on average, 3 hours of independent effort. |
Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) | Online Submission |
| All | 2 | Portfolio | Group | 25% | Design output and associated report --- max 2000 words using appropriate diagrams/drawings |
Week 13 | To be Negotiated |
| All | 3 | Examination - Centrally Scheduled | Individual | 40% | 2 hrs |
Exam Period | Online Submission |
| All - Assessment Task 1:Assignments | ||||||||||
| Goal: | You will develop skills and understanding of analytical design principles, material selection criteria and performance behaviour of standard components, which will allow you to design appropriate fit-for-purpose machine parts. |
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| Product: | Written Piece | |||||||||
| Authorship Statement: | ||||||||||
| Format: | Questions will be set for each of the three assignments from the material covered in the on-line learning resources and tutorials up to, and including, the week prior to the submission. (Instructions will be provided on CANVAS). Submit: Assignment 1 by 8:00 am on Monday of Week 4, Assignment 2 by 8:00 am on Tuesday of Week 8, and Assignment 3 by 8:00 am on Monday of Week 12. |
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| Criteria: |
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| Generic Skills: | Communication, Problem solving, Applying technologies |
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| All - Assessment Task 2:Workshop Portfolio | |||||||||||||
| Goal: | This activity will allow you to demonstrate creativity, innovation and design methodology in designing, building and testing machine components and systems |
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| Product: | Portfolio | ||||||||||||
| Authorship Statement: | |||||||||||||
| Format: | The projects are completed by groups of 3 students. The portfolio and the built mechanical device are to be submitted by the group. The portfolio should NOT be longer than 10 pages |
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| Criteria: |
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| Generic Skills: | Collaboration, Applying technologies |
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| All - Assessment Task 3:Final Examination | ||||||||||
| Goal: | You will demonstrate your knowledge and understanding of the design principles, material selection criteria and performance behaviour of standard components. |
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| Product: | Examination - Centrally Scheduled | |||||||||
| Authorship Statement: | ||||||||||
| Format: | The final open-book, on-line exam will assess the contents of the entire course. The duration of the final exam will be 2 hours (during centrally scheduled exam period, open book). You will be required to provide responses to a number of typical problems similar to those given in the tutorial and assignment questions throughout the semester. Your exam solutions will be used to evaluate your understanding of the total course material. |
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| Criteria: |
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| Generic Skills: | Communication, Problem solving, Applying technologies |
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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.
Schedule
| Period and Topic | Activities |
Week 1 : Introduction, Revision of Mechanics of Materials |
Engage with on-line learning resources, undertake tutorial exercise (problem solving) Revise MEC221 Mechanics of Materials Course topics, Introduction to Workshop Projects (group creation) |
Week 2 : Stress Analysis of Curved Beams; Buckling |
Engage with on-line learning resources, undertake tutorial exercise and revision examples (problem solving), and Workshop Project 1 - engine disassembly |
Week 3 : Stress Concentrations |
Engage with on-line learning resources, undertake tutorial exercise and revision examples (problem solving), and Workshop Project 1 - engine disassembly |
Week 4 : Fatigue Analysis |
Engage with on-line learning resources, undertake tutorial exercise and revision examples (problem solving), and Workshop Project 1 - engine disassembly and display planning |
Week 5 : Power Screws and Threaded Fasteners |
Engage with on-line learning resources, undertake tutorial exercise and revision examples (problem solving), and Workshop Project 1 - engine sectioning and display planning |
Week 6 : Rivetted and Welded Joints |
Engage with on-line learning resources, undertake tutorial exercise and revision examples (problem solving), Workshop Project 1 - engine sectioning and display planning, and Project 2 - Creative design |
Week 7 : Design of Springs |
Engage with on-line learning resources, undertake tutorial exercise and revision examples (problem solving), Workshop Project 1 - engine sectioning and display planning, and Project 2 - Creative design planning |
Week 8 : Lubrication and Plain Bearings |
Engage with on-line learning resources, undertake tutorial exercise and revision examples (problem solving), Workshop Project 1 - engine sectioning and display planning, and Project 2 - Creative design fabrication |
Week 9 : Rolling Element Bearings |
Engage with on-line learning resources, undertake tutorial exercise and revision examples (problem solving), Workshop Project 1 - engine display assembly, and Project 2 - Creative design fabrication. |
Week 10 : Design of Spur Gears |
Engage with on-line learning resources, undertake tutorial exercise and revision examples (problem solving), Workshop Project 1 - engine display assembly, and Project 2 - Creative design fabrication. |
Week 11 : Brakes and Clutches |
Engage with on-line learning resources, undertake tutorial exercise and revision examples (problem solving), Workshop Project 1 - engine display assembly, and Project 2 - Creative design assembly. |
Week 12 : Belt Drives |
Engage with on-line learning resources, undertake tutorial exercise and revision examples (problem solving), and Design Exhibition. |
Week 13 : Design of Shafts |
Engage with on-line learning resources, undertake tutorial exercise and revision examples (problem solving), and preparation of workshop portfolio. |
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 | Robert C. Juvinall,Kurt M. Marshek | 2020 | Fundamentals of Machine Component Design, 7th Australia and New Zealand Edition with Wiley E-Text Card Set | 7th | Wiley |
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 workshop task. You must also undertake the laboratory induction before you can undertake any task in the workshop/laboratory.
How are risks managed in this course?
Risk assessments have been performed for all studio and laboratory classes and a low level of health and safety risk exists. Some risk concerns may include equipment, instruments, and tools; as well as manual handling items within the laboratory. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the 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 misconductAssessment: 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
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- Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
- Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au