41029 Engineering Research Preparation
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Subject handbook information prior to 2018 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): (48260 Engineering Project Management OR 16912 Construction Project Management Principles) AND (41048 Engineering Practice Reflection 2 OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09066 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09067 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Diploma Professional Engineering Practice OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09068 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Bachelor of Arts International Studies OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09069 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Bachelor of Arts International Studies Diploma Professional Engineering Practice OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09070 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Bachelor of Business OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09071 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Bachelor of Business Diploma Professional Engineering Practice OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09072 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Bachelor of Science OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09073 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Bachelor of Science Diploma Professional Engineering Practice OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09074 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Bachelor of Medical Science OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09075 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Bachelor of Medical Science Diploma Professional Engineering Practice OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09076 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation)) OR ((48142 Engineering Practice Review 2 OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10061 Bachelor of Engineering Diploma Engineering Practice OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10062 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Arts International Studies Diploma Engineering Practice OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10063 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Arts International Studies OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10065 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Business OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10067 Bachelor of Engineering OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10068 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Business Diploma Engineering Practice OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10073 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Science OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10074 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Science Diploma Engineering Practice OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10075 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Medical Science OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10078 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Biotechnology OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10079 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Biotechnology Diploma Engineering Practice OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10076 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Medical Science Diploma Engineering Practice)
Anti-requisite(s): 48001 Project BEngSc AND 48006 Capstone Project AND 48012 Capstone Project AND 48016 Capstone Project Part A AND 48026 Capstone Project Part B
Description
The capstone project consists of subjects that aim to consolidate the application of engineering knowledge and skills for problem-solving. It is carried out in two phases: the preparation and planning phase in this subject, and the implementation phase in 41030 Engineering Capstone. Students undertake the capstone project in their final year of study.
In these two subjects students solve complicated engineering problems that respond to industrial, academic and personal interests, taking a systematic approach. The types of capstone projects that students can undertake include research and development, investigation, experimentation, design, building and manufacturing. Students in this subject develop skills in research design, project management and critical communication.
This subject, Engineering Research Preparation, emphasises the development of the theoretical framework and the associated project plan for a student's capstone project. The subject is followed by the implementation phase in 41030. Both subjects aim to strengthen students' knowledge application, and research and communication competencies to the graduate level for engineering practice as per Engineers Australia Stage 1 competencies and faculty graduate attributes. Both subjects also align with Australian Qualifications Framework criteria of graduation concerning knowledge, skills development and application to the bachelor's (level 7) and honours (level 8) degrees.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Critically analyse engineering problems from both technical and societal perspectives, and relate research interests and/or questions to engineering challenges faced in professional practice. |
|---|---|
| 2. | Apply academically rigorous research methodologies in problem-solving, using philosophical concepts underpinning research design and problem formulation. |
| 3. | Apply contemporary project management skills and knowledge to planning the management of the Capstone project (typically a research and development or an engineering design project), and communicate with internationally accepted terminologies. . |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following faculty Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs) and Engineers Australia (EA) Stage 1 competencies:
- Identify, interpret and analyse stakeholder needs, which is linked to EA Stage 1 Competencies: 1.2, 2.3, 2.4 (A.1)
- Establish priorities and goals, which is linked to EA Stage 1 Competencies: 2.3, 3.5 (A.2)
- Identify constraints, uncertainties and risks of the system (social, cultural, legislative, environmental, business etc.), which is linked to EA Stage 1 Competencies: 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 (A.3)
- Identify and apply relevant problem solving methodologies, which is linked to EA Stage 1 Competencies: 1.1, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 (B.1)
- Design components, systems and/or processes to meet required specifications, which is linked to EA Stage 1 Competencies: 1.3, 1.6, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3 (B.2)
- Synthesise alternative/innovative solutions, concepts and procedures, which is linked to EA Stage 1 Competencies: 1.1, 3.3 (B.3)
- Apply decision making methodologies to evaluate solutions for efficiency, effectiveness and sustainability, which is linked to EA Stage 1 Competencies: 1.2, 2.1 (B.4)
- Demonstrate research skills, which is linked to EA Stage 1 Competencies: 1.4, 2.1 (B.6)
- Communicate effectively in ways appropriate to the discipline, audience and purpose, which is linked to EA Stage 1 Competency: 3.2 (E.1)
- Work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams within a multi-level, multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural setting, which is linked to EA Stage 1 Competencies: 2.4, 3.2, 3.6 (E.2)
- Identify and apply relevant project management methodologies, which is linked to EA Stage 1 Competencies: 1.6, 2.2, 2.4 (E.3)
Teaching and learning strategies
Students will read suggested articles within the topics of engineering design theories, research methodologies, and philosophy of engineering before or after watching a series of videos of UTSOnline. Face-to-face drop-in tutorials are provided for consultations and work with peers and teaching staff. The schedule for drop-in tutorials can be found on UTSOnline.
The student will receive feedback in two forms: 1) comments and suggestions provided to the tasks, 2) in consultations in FEIT Learning Precinct (FLP) engagement.
Students can receive further feedback from academic supervisors in-line with Capstone project progression.
Assessment of tasks is undertaken by the subject teaching staff and the Capstone supervisors as the following: Task 1 and 3 are assessed by the subject teaching staff; Task 2 and 4 are assessed by the Capstone supervisor.
The deliverable of 41029 is a research proposal, which is approved by the supervisor.
Content (topics)
The following topics will be covered:
- Contemporary engineering challenges
- Research methodology and design
- Research methodology of scientific discovery
- Research methodology of social problems
- Engineering design as a methodology
- Engineering project from different perspectives
- Application of research and project management methodologies
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Problem Analysis Brief
| Intent: | To clarify aims of research and associated risks and stakeholder concerns. | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): A.1, A.2 and A.3 | ||||||||
| Type: | Essay | ||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||
| Weight: | 10% | ||||||||
| Length: | 3 - 5 pages. | ||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 2: Research Question Formulation Report
| Intent: | To demonstrate research skills in general and comprehensive understanding of engineering science theories. | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): B.1, B.2 and B.6 | ||||||||
| Type: | Report | ||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||
| Weight: | 20% | ||||||||
| Length: | 7 - 10 pages | ||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 3: Project Management Plan
| Intent: | This plan demonstrates student’s capability of managing and completing the proposed project. | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): E.1, E.2 and E.3 | ||||||||
| Type: | Report | ||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||
| Weight: | 20% | ||||||||
| Length: | 5 - 7 pages | ||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
Assessment task 4: Research Proposal
| Intent: | This task aims to test student’s ability of evaluating and controlling project progress in the following capstone subject 41030. This task also aims to strengthen student’s capability of synthesise solutions from different perspectives. | ||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2 and 3 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): B.3, B.4 and E.1 | ||||||||||||
| Type: | Report | ||||||||||||
| Groupwork: | Individual | ||||||||||||
| Weight: | 50% | ||||||||||||
| Length: | Typically 15 pages | ||||||||||||
| Criteria linkages: |
SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes |
