Engineering Research Methodology and Management

Unit Outline (Higher Education)

Level of Unit in Course

AQF Level(s) of Course

Level of Unit in Course

Introductory

Intermediate

Effective Term:

2024/05

Institute / School :

Institute of Innovation, Science & Sustainability

Unit Title:

Engineering Research Methodology and Management

Unit ID:

ENGIN3001

Credit Points:

15.00

Prerequisite(s):

Nil

Co-requisite(s):

Nil

Exclusion(s):

(ENCOR4010 and ENMTX4060)

ASCED:

039999

Other Change:

Brief description of the Unit

A professional engineer requires the ability to critically appraise the work of others and understand the scientific principles that underpin engineering. This unit will introduce students to appropriate methodological tools that will underpin their capstone final year project. In addition, this unit will also develop an appreciation of the business tools that are used to manage a business and how that business maintains a healthy profit margin.

Grade Scheme:

Graded (HD, D, C, P, MF, F, XF)

Work Experience Indicator:

No work experience

Placement Component:

Supplementary Assessment:Yes

Where supplementary assessment is available a student must have failed overall in the Unit but gained a final mark of 45 per cent or above, has completed all major assessment tasks (including all sub-components where a task has multiple parts) as specified in the Unit Description and is not eligible for any other form of supplementary assessment

Course Level:

Learning Outcomes:

On successful completion of the unit the students are expected to be able to:

Knowledge:

K1.	Recognize the fundamental principles and methods applicable in the field of engineering research

K2.	Demonstrate knowledge of standard project management practices

K3.	Recognize and Interpret the ethics and norms that guide research integrity

Skills:

S1.	Investigate the information needed for the implementation of a research project

S2.	Appraise the skills necessary to develop a project management plan

S3.	Assess the work of peers in a constructive manner

Application of knowledge and skills:

A1.	Investigate published material relevant to engineering problems

A2.	Construct a research plan and identify a rational design of experiments approach

Unit Content:

•Formulating the research question and literature survey
•Research methodology, data collection and processing
•Data analysis with application to Reliability–Availability–Maintainability–Supportability of engineering systems
•Risk analysis and management techniques
•Fundamental economics in project management
•Intellectual property (IP), product safety and liability issues

Graduate Attributes:

	Learning Outcomes Assessed	Assessment Tasks	Assessment Type	Weighting
1.	K1, S1, A1	Research project selection form and annotated bibliography	Task 1: Research project selection and annotated bibliography	10–20%
2.	K2, K3, S2, S3, A2	Develope understanding of research approachs; identify possible research topics and explore and review list of references; develope/choose suitable methodology; prepare and present reserach projects and proposed methodology	Task 2: Progress review and tutorial presentations	35–45%
3.	K2, K3, S2, S3, A2	This submission incorporates feedback given by supervisors and it has a deep background on the scientific theory on which the methodology is based	Task 3: Final submission of research proposal document	40–50%

Adopted Reference Style:

Other (IEEE: Refer to the library website for more information)

Professional Standards / Competencies:

Standard / Competency

Engineers Australia - Stage 1 (Professional): 2017 accreditation & AQF

Attribute			Assessed	Level
1 Knowledge and Skill Base
	1.1 Comprehensive, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline.
		1.1.1 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.	Yes	Advanced
	1.2 Conceptual understanding of the, mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline.
		1.2.1 Develops and fluently applies relevant investigation analysis, interpretation, assessment, characterisation, prediction, evaluation, modelling, decision making, measurement, knowledge management and communication tools and techniques pertinent to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Advanced
	1.3 In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.
		1.3.1 Proficiently applies advanced technical knowledge and skills in at least one specialist practice domain of the engineering discipline.	Yes	Advanced
	1.4 Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline.
		1.4.1 Identifies and critically appraises current developments, advanced technologies, emerging issues and interdisciplinary linkages in at least one specialist practice domain of the engineering discipline.	Yes	Advanced
		1.4.2 Interprets and applies selected research literature to inform engineering application in at least one specialist domain of the engineering discipline.	Yes	Advanced
	1.5 Knowledge of contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline.
		1.5.1 Identifies and understands the interactions between engineering systems and people in the social, cultural, environmental, commercial, legal and political contexts in which they operate, including both the positive role of engineering in sustainable development and the potentially adverse impacts of engineering activity in the engineering discipline.	Yes	Advanced
		1.5.3 Is aware of the fundamentals of business and enterprise management.	Yes	Advanced
	1.6 Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of contemporary engineering practice in the specific discipline.
		1.6.2 Appreciates the basis and relevance of standards and codes of practice, as well as legislative and statutory requirements applicable to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Advanced
		1.6.4 Appreciates the social, environmental and economic principles of sustainable engineering practice.	Yes	Advanced
2 Engineering Application Ability
	2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving.
		2.1.1 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.	Yes	Advanced
		2.1.2 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.	Yes	Advanced
		2.1.3 Competently addresses engineering problems involving uncertainty, ambiguity, imprecise information and wide-ranging and sometimes conflicting technical and non-technical factors.	Yes	Advanced
		2.1.4 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.	Yes	Advanced
		2.1.5 Conceptualises alternative engineering approaches and evaluates potential outcomes against appropriate criteria to justify an optimal solution choice.	Yes	Advanced
		2.1.6 Critically reviews and applies relevant standards and codes of practice underpinning the engineering discipline and nominated specialisations.	Yes	Advanced
		2.1.9 Investigates complex problems using research-based knowledge and research methods.	Yes	Advanced
	2.2 Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.
		2.2.1 Proficiently identifies, selects and applies the materials, components, devices, systems, processes, resources, plant and equipment relevant to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Advanced
		2.2.2 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.	Yes	Advanced
		2.2.4 Applies a wide range of engineering tools for analysis, simulation, visualisation, synthesis and design, including assessing the accuracy and limitations of such tools, and validation of their results.	Yes	Advanced
		2.2.5 Applies formal systems engineering methods to address the planning and execution of complex, problem solving and engineering projects.	Yes	Advanced
		2.2.6 Designs and conducts experiments, analyses and interprets result data and formulates reliable conclusions.	Yes	Advanced
		2.2.7 Analyses sources of error in applied models and experiments; eliminates, minimises or compensates for such errors; quantifies significance of errors to any conclusions drawn.	Yes	Advanced
	2.3 Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.
		2.3.1 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.	Yes	Advanced
		2.3.3 Executes and leads a whole systems design cycle approach including tasks such as: a) determining client requirements and identifying the impact of relevant contextual factors, including business planning and costing targets; b) systematically addressing sustainability criteria; c) working within projected development, production and implementation constraints; d) eliciting, scoping and documenting the required outcomes of the design task and defining acceptance criteria; e) identifying assessing and managing technical, health and safety risks integral to the design process; f) writing engineering specifications, that fully satisfy the formal requirements; g) ensuring compliance with essential engineering standards and codes of practice; h) partitioning the design task into appropriate modular, functional elements; that can be separately addressed and subsequently integrated through defined interfaces; i) identifying and analysing possible design approaches and justifying an optimal approach; j) developing and completing the design using appropriate engineering principles, tools, and processes; k) integrating functional elements to form a coherent design solution; l) quantifying the materials, components, systems, equipment, facilities, engineering resources and operating arrangements needed for implementation of the solution; m) checking the design solution for each element and the integrated system against the engineering specifications; n) devising and documenting tests that will verify performance of the elements and the integrated realisation; o) prototyping/implementing the design solution and verifying performance against specification; p) documenting, commissioning and reporting the design outcome.	Yes	Advanced
	2.4 Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects.
		2.4.1 Contributes to and/or manages complex engineering project activity, as a member and/or as leader of an engineering team.	Yes	Advanced
		2.4.2 Seeks out the requirements and associated resources and realistically assesses the scope, dimensions, scale of effort and indicative costs of a complex engineering project.	Yes	Advanced
		2.4.4 Proficiently applies basic systems engineering and/or project management tools and processes to the planning and execution of project work, targeting the delivery of a significant outcome to a professional standard.	Yes	Advanced
		2.4.6 Demonstrates commitment to sustainable engineering practices and the achievement of sustainable outcomes in all facets of engineering project work.	Yes	Advanced
3 Professional and Personal Attributes
	3.1 Ethical conduct and professional accountability.
		3.1.1 Demonstrates commitment to uphold the Engineers Australia - Code of Ethics, and established norms of professional conduct pertinent to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Advanced
		3.1.2 Understands the need for due-diligence in certification, compliance and risk management processes.	Yes	Advanced
		3.1.3 Understands the accountabilities of the professional engineer and the broader engineering team for the safety of other people and for protection of the environment.	Yes	Advanced
		3.1.4 Is aware of the fundamental principles of intellectual property rights and protection.	Yes	Advanced
	3.2 Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.
		3.2.1 Is proficient in listening, speaking, reading and writing English, including: a) comprehending critically and fairly the viewpoints of others; b) expressing information effectively and succinctly, issuing instruction, engaging in discussion, presenting arguments and justification, debating and negotiating to technical and non-technical audiences and using textual, diagrammatic, pictorial and graphical media best suited to the context; c) representing an engineering position, or the engineering profession at large to the broader community; d) appreciating the impact of body language, personal behaviour and other non-verbal communication processes, as well as the fundamentals of human social behaviour and their cross-cultural differences.	Yes	Advanced
		3.2.2 Prepares high quality engineering documents such as progress and project reports, reports of investigations and feasibility studies, proposals, specifications, design records, drawings, technical descriptions and presentations pertinent to the engineering discipline.	Yes	Advanced
	3.3 Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour.
		3.3.1 Applies creative approaches to identify and develop alternative concepts, solutions and procedures, appropriately challenges engineering practices from technical and non-technical viewpoints; identifies new technological opportunities.	Yes	Advanced
		3.3.2 Seeks out new developments in the engineering discipline and specialisations and applies fundamental knowledge and systematic processes to evaluate and report potential.	Yes	Advanced
		3.3.3 Is aware of broader fields of science, engineering, technology and commerce from which new ideas and interfaces may be may drawn and readily engages with professionals from these fields to exchange ideas.	Yes	Advanced
	3.4 Professional use and management of information.
		3.4.1 Is proficient in locating and utilising information - including accessing, systematically searching, analysing, evaluating and referencing relevant published works and data; is proficient in the use of indexes, bibliographic databases and other search facilities.	Yes	Advanced
		3.4.2 Critically assesses the accuracy, reliability and authenticity of information.	Yes	Advanced
		3.4.3 Is aware of common document identification, tracking and control procedures.	Yes	Advanced
	3.5 Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.
		3.5.1 Demonstrates commitment to critical self-review and performance evaluation against appropriate criteria as a primary means of tracking personal development needs and achievements.	Yes	Advanced
		3.5.3 Demonstrates commitment to life-long learning and professional development.	Yes	Advanced
		3.5.4 Manages time and processes effectively, prioritises competing demands to achieve personal, career and organisational goals and objectives.	Yes	Advanced
		3.5.5 Thinks critically and applies an appropriate balance of logic and intellectual criteria to analysis, judgment and decision making.	Yes	Advanced
		3.5.6 Presents a professional image in all circumstances, including relations with clients, stakeholders, as well as with professional and technical colleagues across wide ranging disciplines.	Yes	Advanced