48240 Design Fundamentals
6cp
Requisite(s): ((48221 Informatics: Visual Basic OR 48023 Object-oriented Programming) AND 33230 Mathematical Modelling 2 AND 48230 Engineering Communication)
Design is explored as a fundamental engineering activity, applying the scientific principles learned in field of practice subjects to the solution of contextual problems. Students examine models of the design process and critique designed products, processes and systems. They define and formulate problems using creative and analytical processes. The responsibilities of engineers for assessing and managing different types of risk are explored, and safe design, ethics and intellectual property are also discussed.
Topics addressed include:
- design context and requirements – approaches to design, problem framing and creativity; requirements analysis involving legal, regulatory, technical and business requirements; designing for sustainability, safety, innovation and intellectural property outcomes; risk management and design communication, documentation and review.
- design analysis – concepts of risks and uncertainties in engineering; use of engineering and system modelling approaches and methods and fundamental statistical techniques used in engineering modelling.
- design synthesis – engineering decision-making in the presence of risks and uncertainties and optimisation.
Assessment: Typically students in this subject are assessed through a combination of quizzes, assignments, project work and a final examination.
Typical availability
Autumn semester, City Campus
Spring semester, City Campus
2007 contribution for post-2004 Commonwealth-supported students: $889.75
2007 amount for undergraduate domestic fee-paying students: $2,460.00
Subject EFTSL: 0.125
Note: The above fees are applicable in 2007 for Commonwealth-supported students who commenced after 2004 and domestic fee-paying undergraduate students only. Pre-2005 Commonwealth-supported students should consult the
Student contribution charges for Commonwealth supported students webpage.
Not all students are eligible for Commonwealth supported places, and not all subjects are available to Commonwealth supported students. Domestic fee-paying students and international students should refer to the
Fees webpage.
Note: The requisite information presented in this subject description covers only academic requisites. Full details of all enforced rules, covering both academic and admission requisites, are available at
Access conditions and My Student Admin.