MECH ENG 3027 - Engineering Systems Design & Communication

North Terrace Campus - Semester 2 - 2014

This course will show how to apply a systems engineering approach to all of the elements of an engineering project. Systems engineering will be demonstrated to incorporate: the consideration of the various stages of design (which include problem identification, concept generation, concept selection and design embodiment); the fundamentals of good design practice (including aesthetics, ergonomics and safety); and effective team work, resource allocation, scheduling and project management. An essential aspect of engineering design is effective graphical and written communication. Therefore the course provides graphical, written and spoken language development in the context of academic and professional engineering. The students will produce a complete set of manufacturing drawings as a team exercise, and develop their written skills by producing a research paper and a comprehensive engineering report.

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Course Details

Course Code	MECH ENG 3027
Course	Engineering Systems Design & Communication
Coordinating Unit	School of Mechanical Engineering
Term	Semester 2
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 4 hours per week
Assumed Knowledge	MECH ENG 1006, MECH ENG 2100
Restrictions	Available to BE(Mechanical), BE(Mechatronic), BE (Mechanical & Aerospace), BE(Mechanical & Automotive), BE (Mechanical & Sports) BE(Mechanical & Sustainable Energy), BE(Computational) and associated double and combined degree students only
Assessment	Assignments 100%

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr Antoni Blazewicz

Course Timetable

The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

Course Learning Outcomes

Professional communication is an essential part of the engineering design practice. Students will therefore develop:

1. Written,

2. Graphical and

3. Oral communication skills.

These will be used to demonstrate their creative problem solving abilities as individuals and as part of an engineering team.

Students will also learn more about:

4. Engineering design processes

5. Systems engineering and

6. How systems engineering encapsulates all of the aspects of design.

Once the course has been completed, students will be more effective as engineers and will be able to write appropriate academic and professional engineering texts, as well as demonstrate skills of effective communication in writing and seminar presentations relevant to their engineering program and professional careers.

University Graduate Attributes

This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

University Graduate Attribute	Course Learning Outcome(s)
Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised.	1-6
The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner.	1-6
An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems.	1-6
Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication.	1-6
A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies.	1-6
A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life.	1-6
A commitment to the highest standards of professional endeavour and the ability to take a leadership role in the community.	1-6
An awareness of ethical, social and cultural issues within a global context and their importance in the exercise of professional skills and responsibilities.	1-6

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Students will also require access to a computer and an active user account in the Engineering Computer Aided Teaching Suite (CATS).

Recommended Resources

A Student (take home) version of ProEngineer Wildfire, although because of differences between the release dates of new ‘University (more comprehensive)’ versions and ‘Student’ versions, mutual compatibility between data files can not always be guaranteed.
Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes

Face to face lectures, demonstrations, workshops, video lectures, examples and team workshops

Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
This course comprises two integrated Engineering Systems Design and Communication. In both areas students will be expected to regularly use and refer to the online teaching resource, MyUni. In addition to this resource there will also be:
- 12 x 1 hour design lecture per week
- 12 x 2 hour design tutorials per week
- 12 x 2 hour communication lecture / workshops
Learning Activities Summary
- Engineering Systems Design (12 lectures - 50%)
- Communication (12 lectures - 50%)

The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
Assessment must maintain academic standards.

Assessment Summary

A number of assignments will assess the student’s written, graphical and oral communication skills. A group project will determine how well students can combine these skills, combined with their knowledge of engineering and design. The assignments comprise:

Assessment Task	Task Type	Due	Weighting	Learning Outcome
Comms. assignment #1	Individual Short Discussion Paper	Set week 1, due – week 6	10	1-6
Comms. assignment #2	Individual Preliminary Oral	Set week 1, due – week 6&7	5	1-6
Comms. assignment #3	Individual Discussion Paper	Set week 7, due week 12	15	1-6
Comms. assignment #4	Individual Formal Presentation (includes a requirement to attend level 4 seminars)	Set week 7, due weeks 11, 12 &13	10	1-6
Comms. assignment #5	Group Report* - quality of communication	Set week 1, due week 12 (optional formative feedback for drafts submitted by week 6)	10	1-6
Design assignment #1	Individual Concept Evolution	Set week 1, due – week 6	10	1-6
Design assignment #2	Individual Engineering Drawing	Set week 1, due week 10	10	1-6
Design assignment #3	Group Report* – Manufacturing Drawings	Set week 1, due week 12 (optional formative feedback for drafts submitted by week 6)	20	1-6
Design assignment #4	Group Report* – Evolution of Design	Set week 1, due week 12 (optional formative feedback for drafts submitted by week 6)	10	1-6

*NOTE: the Group elements are subject to peer evaluation. Team members will be empowered to redistribute these marks according to perceived contributions to the project.

Assessment Related Requirements

Students must perform to the satisfaction of the course coordinator and tutor to pass the assignments and hence the course (refer section 5.5). There is zero tolerance for plagiarism.

Assessment Detail

So that assignments remain relevant and topical, and so that students do not commence them prior to the set date, their specific details will be provided via MyUni on the dates indicated in the above table. There will be sufficient scope within the assignment criteria to ensure originality. There is zero tolerance for copying and students are advised to read the University policy on plagiarism in order to understand the severe consequences of such actions.

Submission

All assignments must be submitted on-line via MyUni, where specific instructions shall be provided. Late assignments will be penalised 10% per day. Extensions for assignments will only be given in exceptional circumstances and a case for this with supporting documentation must be made in writing. Assignments will be assessed and returned 2 weeks after the due date. There will be no opportunities for re-submission of work of unacceptable standard.

Course Grading

Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
Grade	Mark	Description
FNS		Fail No Submission
F	1-49	Fail
P	50-64	Pass
C	65-74	Credit
D	75-84	Distinction
HD	85-100	High Distinction
CN		Continuing
NFE		No Formal Examination
RP		Result Pending

Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

Student Feedback

The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.
Student Support
Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
Fraud Awareness

Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

The University of Adelaide is committed to regular reviews of the courses and programs it offers to students. The University of Adelaide therefore reserves the right to discontinue or vary programs and courses without notice. Please read the important information contained in the disclaimer.

Authorised by:	Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Vice-President (Academic)
Maintained by:	Course Outlines Administrator