Overview

This unit of study aims to introduce students to engineering research through planning and managing an innovative engineering research project, using research methods and reflecting on broader professional issues related to the project. Research projects may involve: research intensive investigation, design and construction, development of a product or a software system. Overall it should provide a solution to an engineering problem.

Requisites

Prerequisites
ENG40005 Final Year Capstone Project 1
Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date

Learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

  • Plan and manage an innovative engineering research project, using project management processes and tools, and self-management skills (K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, S1, S2, S3, S4, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6)
  • Research a complex problem within given constraints, using knowledge and skills developed during the course by formulating research questions, appraising current literature and developments, and applying research principles and methods to generate, evaluate and justify innovative solutions (K1, K2, K3, K4, S1, S2, S3, A2, A3, A4)
  • Demonstrate effective professional written and oral communication to a variety of audiences through proposals, reports, documentation and presentations (A2, A4)
  • Reflect on professional engineering practice and its impact on the project, including safety, ethical, legal, social, cultural and sustainability considerations, along with standards and codes of practice (A1, A2, A4, K5, K6, S4)
  • Demonstrate professionalism, integrity, ethical conduct and professional accountability in all aspects of project work, including teamwork (when appropriate and applicable), dealing with stakeholders and demonstrating a professional image (K5, K6, S4, A1, A2, A5, A6)

Teaching methods

Sarawak

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Lecture		1.00 12 weeks 12
Online Contact (Phasing out)
Online Learning Activities		1.00 12 weeks 12
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Workshop		2.00 12 weeks 24
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Other		1.00 12 weeks 12
Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out)
Independent Learning		7.50 12 weeks 90
TOTAL150

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
Online Contact (Phasing out)
Synchronous Lectures		1.00 12 weeks 12
Online
Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning		1.00 12 weeks 12
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Workshop		2.00 12 weeks 24
Face to Face Contact (Phasing out)
Other		1.00 12 weeks 12
Unspecified Learning Activities (Phasing out)
Independent Learning		7.50 12 weeks 90
TOTAL150

Assessment

Type Task Weighting ULO's
PresentationIndividual/Group 10 - 25% 1,2,3,5 
Progress ReportIndividual/Group 50 - 70% 1,2,3,4 
Research PlanIndividual/Group 5 - 15% 1,2,3,4 
Written AssignmentIndividual 10 - 20% 1,2,3,4,5 

Content

The final year research project will be of an analytical, experimental, design or computational nature (or a combination of these), with significant elements of creativity and originality. Learning will take place primarily through independent research, guided by the student’s supervisor(s).

The unit is organised to have:

  • Face to face seminars covering contemporary engineering issues and online seminars providing overview of research methods
  • Presentations
  • Industry speakers’ seminars. 

The research component includes:

  • The principles of engineering research
  • Defining the research problem
  • Reviewing the literature
  • Research methodologies
  • Ethics and plagiarism
  • Planning a research project
  • Communicating research outcomes

The contemporary issues in the engineering profession include:

  • The role of a Professional Engineer
  • Issues associated with professional engineering practice, including safety, ethical, legal, social, cultural and sustainability considerations
  • Reflection and self-review practices

Study resources

Reading materials

A list of reading materials and/or required textbooks will be available in the Unit Outline on Canvas.