MECH ENG 7071 - Mechatronics II
North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2025
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General Course Information
Course Details
Course Code MECH ENG 7071 Course Mechatronics II Coordinating Unit Mechanical Engineering Term Semester 1 Level Postgraduate Coursework Location/s North Terrace Campus Units 3 Contact Up to 4 hours per week Available for Study Abroad and Exchange Y Assessment Projects, practicals, final exam Course Staff
Course Coordinator: Dr Lei Chen
Course Timetable
The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.
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Learning Outcomes
Course Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this course students will be able to:
1 Demonstrate basic programming skills with PLCs; 2 Demonstrate an understanding of data types, CPU memory, I/O; 3 Demonstrate the ability to program automation processes using PLCs; 4 Control simple devices such as motors and cylinders using PLCs; 5 Discuss the architecture of Micro-controller systems; and 6 Design a simple real-time Micro-controller system.
The above course learning outcomes are aligned with the Engineers Australia Entry to Practice Competency Standard for the Professional Engineer. The course develops the following EA Elements of Competency to levels of introductory (A), intermediate (B), advanced (C):
1.1 1.2 1.3 1.4 1.5 1.6 2.1 2.2 2.3 2.4 3.1 3.2 3.3 3.4 3.5 3.6 A A B A B C A B B A A C C A B C 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) Attribute 1: Deep discipline knowledge and intellectual breadth
Graduates have comprehensive knowledge and understanding of their subject area, the ability to engage with different traditions of thought, and the ability to apply their knowledge in practice including in multi-disciplinary or multi-professional contexts.
1-6 Attribute 2: Creative and critical thinking, and problem solving
Graduates are effective problems-solvers, able to apply critical, creative and evidence-based thinking to conceive innovative responses to future challenges.
1-6 Attribute 3: Teamwork and communication skills
Graduates convey ideas and information effectively to a range of audiences for a variety of purposes and contribute in a positive and collaborative manner to achieving common goals.
5-6 Attribute 4: Professionalism and leadership readiness
Graduates engage in professional behaviour and have the potential to be entrepreneurial and take leadership roles in their chosen occupations or careers and communities.
6 Attribute 5: Intercultural and ethical competency
Graduates are responsible and effective global citizens whose personal values and practices are consistent with their roles as responsible members of society.
1-6 Attribute 8: Self-awareness and emotional intelligence
Graduates are self-aware and reflective; they are flexible and resilient and have the capacity to accept and give constructive feedback; they act with integrity and take responsibility for their actions.
2-3,5-6 -
Learning Resources
Required Resources
Access to Mechtronics Lab (S311b & S311c), Printed Lecture Notes from the Image & Copy Centre, Access to MyUni, Access to a printer.
Recommended Resources
Printed Lecture Notes from the Image & Copy Centre, Library text books on PLC, access to a printer, access to the internet, access to TURNITIN.
Online Learning
Course material provided via MyUni.
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Learning & Teaching Activities
Learning & Teaching Modes
Teaching and learning modes for this course are through contact lectures, computer laboratories in the Mechtronics Lab (S311b & S311c) and self-study. The lectures provide the background theory for the subject, and the computer laboratories provide learners with the practical experience in using PLC software to solve engineering problems. The PLC projects are an integral part of the course learning and outcomes, and are used to develop the graduate attributes of the learners. The projects also enable students to demonstrate their knowledge gained from the course by independently solving complex engineering problems. Lab reporting is a formative part of the learning experience and provides learners with the ability to communicate their understanding of the course material to wider enegineering community professionally.
Workload
The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
The information below is provided only as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.
Lecture Contact Hours: 24 hours Lab Contact Hours: 24 hours PLC Project: > 50 hours Exam Preparation: 34 hours Lab reports: 12 hours Lecture preparation: 12 hours Total: 156 hours Learning Activities Summary
- Structure of PLC (3 lectures)
- Basic Concepts for PLC Programming (3 lectures)
- Data Types (3 lectures)
- CPU Memory (3 lectures)
- Input/Output Control (3 lectures)
- Building and Running Projects (3 lectures)
- Microcontroller introduction (6 lectures)
Specific Course Requirements
Access to Mechtronics Lab (S311b & S311c) will be required to complete the lab sessions and the PLC Projects.
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Assessment
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
* The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.Assessment Task Task Type Due (week)* Weighting Learning Outcome Individual Lab Reports Summative TBD 40% 1 - 6 Quizzes Summative TBD 20% 1 - 6 Exam Summative TBD 40% 1-6
The above is an outline of the assessment for this course. Please note that while every effort has been made to ensure that this information reflects an accurate plan, the coordinator reserves the right to make changes that ensure the continual improvement of the course. Any such changes will be made clear during the lectures and via MyUni.
Assessment Related Requirements
Completion of the PLC Projects with a grading of Pass or higher is required.
Assessment Detail
The PLC projects provide students with the opportunity to demonstrate their comprehension of the course material. The projects are marked and included in the final assessment so that students take them seriously.
The examination is a summative assessment and is intended to assess the student’s knowledge and understanding of the course material and how it fits into the global engineering context. The final examination is open-book.
Submission
The project reports will be submitted through MyUni.
Late submission of the reports will not be accepted as the answers will be discussed at the following lecture the next day.
The Late Penalty for assignments and the PLC Project is 10% per each end of day. Hence weekends lose 3 days = 30%.
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.
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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.
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Student Support
- Academic Integrity for Students
- Academic Support with Maths
- Academic Support with writing and study skills
- Careers Services
- International Student Support
- Library Services for Students
- LinkedIn Learning
- Student Life Counselling Support - Personal counselling for issues affecting study
- Students with a Disability - Alternative academic arrangements
- YouX Student Care - Advocacy, confidential counselling, welfare support and advice
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Policies & Guidelines
This section contains links to relevant assessment-related policies and guidelines - all university policies.
- Academic Credit Arrangements Policy
- Academic Integrity Policy
- Academic Progress by Coursework Students Policy
- Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy
- Copyright Compliance Policy
- Coursework Academic Programs Policy
- Elder Conservatorium of Music Noise Management Plan
- Intellectual Property Policy
- IT Acceptable Use and Security Policy
- Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy
- Reasonable Adjustments to Learning, Teaching & Assessment for Students with a Disability Policy
- Student Experience of Learning and Teaching Policy
- Student Grievance Resolution Process
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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.
