EMS1EDP

ENGINEERING DESIGN AND PROBLEM SOLVING

EMS1EDP

2018

Credit points: 15

This subject addresses La Trobe's Global Citizenship Essential. Global Citizenship is about learning to live in an interconnected world, including the social, environmental, political and economic challenges this brings.

Subject outline

This subject provides a perspective and exposure to current engineering practice and the role it can play in various engineering disciplines. Students are required to take part in a research project. The project is a design program for first-year University students which provides students the opportunity to learn about creative engineering design, team work and communication through real, inspiring, sustainable and cross-cultural development projects. In addition to the design project students further develop their technical skills in a laboratory based project component. In this component of the subject students learn some fundamental skills related to electronics and programming. Students interface a range of sensors and devices with a micro controller which culminates in students designing robots which are played off against each other in a competitive environment. Engineers Australia stage 1 competencies covered in this subject are: 1.1, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 3.1, 3.2 and 3.3 (see intended learning outcomes for details).

SchoolSchool Engineering&Mathematical Sciences

Credit points15

Subject Co-ordinatorHaider Al Abadi

Available to Study Abroad StudentsYes

Subject year levelYear Level 1 - UG

Exchange StudentsYes

Subject particulars

Subject rules

PrerequisitesN/A

Co-requisitesN/A

Incompatible subjects CIV1EP, ELE1EDP, EMS1EP

Equivalent subjectsN/A

Special conditionsN/A

Learning resources

Readings

Resource TypeTitleResource RequirementAuthor and YearPublisher
ReadingsEngineering Your Future an Australasian Guide 3ERecommendedDowling et al. 2015Wiley
ReadingsPerfect Grammar: a Guide to English Grammar & PunctuationRecommendedAnon 2005Penguin

Graduate capabilities & intended learning outcomes

01. Demonstrate an acquired detailed knowledge of, and enthusiasm for, the practice of the relevant engineering stream. Includes EA stage 1 competencies: 1.1 Comprehensive, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline. 1.4 Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline. 1.6 Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific discipline.

Activities:
Students are expected to acquire a detailed knowledge relevant to their selected research area. The material is covered in the lectures and workshops, and assessed in weekly quizzes, oral presentations and final research project report.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour)
Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

02. Solve an engineering problem, using appropriate technical tools. Includes EA stage 1 competencies: 1.1 Comprehensive, theory based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline. 1.4 Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline. 1.5 Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline. 2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving. 2.2 Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.

Activities:
Students are expected to demonstrate their ability to apply various technical tools for solving their research design problem and achieve aimed goals with meeting a number of specific criteria. The material is covered in the workshops, and assessed in oral presentations and final research project report. In addition students are presented with a range of small engineering problems culminating in a final robotics project which they solve with microcontrollers and software.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Discipline -Specific Knowledge and Skills(Discipline-Specific Knowledge and Skills)

03. Work effectively as a member of a team on an engineering project. Includes EA stage 1 competencies: 2.4 Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects. 3.1 Ethical conduct and professional accountability.

Activities:
Being divided into teams of 5 students, students are expected to demonstrate their ability to apply various teamwork skills during their research work. These skills are covered in the lectures and workshops, and assessed in weekly quizzes, oral presentations and final research project report.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour)

04. Organize and critically review information to form a cogent argument. Includes EA stage 1 competencies: 1.4 Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline. 2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving. 3.1 Ethical conduct and professional accountability and 3.3 Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour.

Activities:
During their research activity on the research project, students will be guided to critically review information relevant to their selected area of investigation and critically appraise gathered information, then interpret and apply selected research literature to develop engineering application in the selected domain of the engineering discipline. These skills are covered in online activities, lectures, workshops and is assessed in a quiz, oral presentations and the final research project report.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)
Inquiry and Analytical Skills(Critical Thinking,Creative Problem-solving,Inquiry/Research)

05. As part of a team, contribute to a written technical report. Includes EA stage 1 competencies: 1.4 Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline. 2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving. 3.2 Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.

Activities:
Students are expected to learn and understand various report writing technics while documenting their research finding at various stages for their investigation. This skill is covered in online activities and lectures, and is assessed in a quiz, oral presentations and the final research project report
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour)

06. Make a technical oral presentation to peers. Includes EA stage 1 competencies: 1.4 Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline. 2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving. 3.2 Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.

Activities:
Students are expected to learn and understand various oral communication skills while presenting their research work and findings to peers. This skill is covered in online activities and lectures, and is assessed in a quiz, oral presentations and the final research project report.
Related graduate capabilities and elements:
Literacies and Communication Skills(Writing,Speaking,Quantitative Literacy)
Personal and Professional Skills(Teamwork including leadership and working in groups,Ethical behaviour)

Subject options

Select to view your study options…

Start date between: and    Key dates

Bendigo, 2018, Semester 1, Blended

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorVipul Patel

Class requirements

Laboratory ClassWeek: 11 - 22
One 2.0 hours laboratory class per week on weekdays during the day from week 11 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

LectureWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via blended.

WorkShopWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.0 hours workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours unscheduled online class per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via online.

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
Individual Oral presentation 10 minutes - (Equivalent to 1000 words)1001, 02, 03, 04, 06
6 Individual written lab assignments - (Equivalent to 1500 words)4001, 02, 03, 04, 05
Humanitarian Engineering project - (Equivalent to 2000 words per student)Students undertake a Humanitarian Engineering Project where work is conducted as a team, although students are also assessed based on their individual performance. The team achievement, providing one half of the value of this assessment item, is assessed via a group report to which all students contribute. The students individual performance, providing the other half of the value of this assessment item, is5001, 02, 03, 04, 05

Melbourne, 2018, Semester 1, Blended

Overview

Online enrolmentYes

Maximum enrolment sizeN/A

Enrolment information

Subject Instance Co-ordinatorHaider Al Abadi

Class requirements

Laboratory ClassWeek: 11 - 22
One 2.0 hours laboratory class per week on weekdays during the day from week 11 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

LectureWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours lecture per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via blended.

WorkShopWeek: 10 - 22
One 2.0 hours workshop per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via face-to-face.

Unscheduled Online ClassWeek: 10 - 22
One 1.0 hours unscheduled online class per week on weekdays during the day from week 10 to week 22 and delivered via online.

Assessments

Assessment elementComments%ILO*
Individual Oral presentation 10 minutes - (Equivalent to 1000 words)1001, 02, 03, 04, 06
6 Individual written lab assignments - (Equivalent to 1500 words)4001, 02, 03, 04, 05
Humanitarian Engineering project - (Equivalent to 2000 words per student)Students undertake a Humanitarian Engineering Project where work is conducted as a team, although students are also assessed based on their individual performance. The team achievement, providing one half of the value of this assessment item, is assessed via a group report to which all students contribute. The students individual performance, providing the other half of the value of this assessment item, is5001, 02, 03, 04, 05