Overview

This unit aims to introduce students to engineering research through planning and managing an innovative capstone engineering research project, using research methods and reflecting on broader professional issues related to the project. The types of research projects may include research intensive, design, build and development of a product or software or system, and solution to an engineering problem for an industry partner, to contribute new knowledge to the relevant field, and achieve social, economic, environmental and cultural outcomes.

Requisites

Prerequisites
ENG40005 Final Year Capstone Project 1

Rule
287.5 credit points excluding work integrated learning (WIL)

It is strongly recommended that ENG40005 is completed in the semester immediately prior to undertaking ENG40006

Teaching periods
Location
Start and end dates
Last self-enrolment date
Census date
Last withdraw without fail date
Results released date
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-March-2025
01-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
16-March-2025
Census date
31-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
24-April-2025
Results released date
08-July-2025
Semester 1
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
03-March-2025
01-June-2025
Last self-enrolment date
16-March-2025
Census date
31-March-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
24-April-2025
Results released date
08-July-2025
Semester 2
Location
Hawthorn
Start and end dates
04-August-2025
02-November-2025
Last self-enrolment date
17-August-2025
Census date
31-August-2025
Last withdraw without fail date
19-September-2025
Results released date
09-December-2025

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

Hawthorn

Type Hours per week Number of weeks Total (number of hours)
On-campus
Lecture
1.00  12 weeks  12
On-campus
Workshop
2.00  12 weeks  24
Online
Directed Online Learning and Independent Learning
1.00  12 weeks  12
On-campus
Other
1.00  12 weeks  12
Unspecified Activities
Independent Learning
7.50  12 weeks  90
TOTAL     150

Assessment

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

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 supervisors from the University and industry if applied.

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, such as intellectual property, engineering research ethics, etc.
  • Reflection and self-review practices
  • Professional development plan

Study resources

Reading materials

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