ENG 3005 - Research Methods and Project Management

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2025

This course will develop your ability to execute and deliver engineering projects in research and industry. The foundations of project management are covered: precise definition of objectives; planning, executing and monitoring projects; risk and failure analysis; and project management methodologies. Techniques for advanced engineering practice will be developed: critical review of literature and research gap analysis; data and information literacy; written, oral, and graphical communication; document preparation and version control; reproducibility, verification, and validation of engineering models. This course will also cover research ethics. Students will work in groups to develop a project plan and literature review for a research project as a precursor to the engineering honours project.

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Course Details

Course Code	ENG 3005
Course	Research Methods and Project Management
Coordinating Unit	Centre for STEM Education and Innovation
Term	Semester 1
Level	Undergraduate
Location/s	North Terrace Campus
Units	3
Contact	Up to 6 hours per week
Available for Study Abroad and Exchange	N
Prerequisites	(ENG 1001 or ENG 1011), MATHS 2106 and MATHS 2107. At least 48 units of Level I & II Bachelor of Engineering courses including these courses. Students in the B. Eng (Hons) (Civil) and related double degrees are not required to complete MATHS 2106
Incompatible	C&ENVENG 3222, MINING 3222, MECH ENG 3027 or ELEC ENG 3102
Assumed Knowledge	ENG 1001 or ENG 1011 or ENG 1011UAC or ENG 1001UAC
Restrictions	Available to Bachelor of Engineering students only
Assessment	Online quizzes and tests, individual assessment, group assessment, peer assessment

Course Staff

Course Coordinator: Dr James Hughes

Lecturers:

Ms Gayani Fernando

Course Timetable

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

Course Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this course students will be able to:

1	Communicate professionally and effectively through written, oral, aural, and graphical means with others in the engineering profession
2	Access, systematically search, assess, analyse, evaluate and reference relevant published works for the purpose of completing investigations into engineering problems
3	Identify, select and apply appropriate research methodologies
4	Explain and identify issues around research integrity and ethics
5	Explain standard project management approaches, particularly the role of each Project Management Knowledge Area and how they can be used to execute a project
6	Develop a project management plan articulating how a given project is to be executed, including breaking down the project into manageable tasks
7	Identify and plan for project risks using defined risk assessment processes
8	Critique, review and differentiate the work of peers in an objective and constructive manner
9	Demonstrate an ability to collaborate with a diverse group of people and critically reflect upon the fundamentals of team dynamics

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	B	C	—	B	C	B	C	C	C	C	B	C	C	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.	2-7
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.	2,3
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.	1,2,8,9
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.	1-9
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.	4,8,9
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.	8,9

Learning Resources

Required Resources

Textbook
There is no recommended text for this course. Where necessary extracts from relevant texts will be made available through MyUni.

Course materials
All required material and resources for this course will be made available through MyUni. Learning activities will include a combination of face-to-face activities, online activites and assessment tasks.

Where PowerPoint slides are used for online lectures, these will also be made available on MyUni. The timing of their availability will be subject to the lecture content, the technical nature of the content and format of the lecture. However, PowerPoint slides should not be considered as a complete replicate of the lecture, as additional information not present in the slides is often given during lectures.

Recommended Resources

There are a number of resources that are relevant to this course. Where applicable, they will be referenced in the course material for further reading. They include:

Project Management Institute 2017, A guide to the Project Management Body of Knowledge (PMBOK guide), 6th ed, ANSI/PMI 99-001-2017, Project Management Institute, Pennsylvania.

Daellenbach, HG 1994, Systems and Decision Making - A Management Science Approach, John Wiley & Sons, Chichester.

Dandy, GC, Walker, DJ, Daniell, TM & Warner, RF 2008, Planning and Design of Engineering Systems. Second Edition, Taylor and Francis, Abingdon, UK, ISBN 978-0-415-40552-2. This text is available online through the Barr Smith Library.

Dowling, DG, Carew, A & Hadgraft, RG 2013, Engineering your future : an Australasian guide, 2nd ed, John Wiley
& Sons Australia, Milton, Queensland.

Online Learning

MyUni will be used for the course. Course information, lecture slides, assignments and additional resources will all be available on MyUni.

MyUni-Canvas and Lecture Recordings
This course will operate with the new MyUni Learning Management System platform, Canvas. Lecture recordings will also be available through Echo 360 on this platform. All online lectures will be recorded for revision and/or if attendence is not possible. Online learning modules and resources will be used for content where an online delivery mode is considered most appropriate.

MyUni Announcements
The announcement section will be used to notify students of important information, with critical announcements (changes to deadlines etc.) also emailed to students. It is assumed and expected that students take note of these announcements.

MyUni Discussion Board
The discussion board will be used and forums will be created for assignments. The discussion board will also be used as a consultation channel for contact with teaching staff. Questions for teaching staff of a general nature relating to the course or assignment requirements are to be posted on MyUni. This allows the responses to be viewed by other students with similar questions and ensures that all students are given the same information.

Learning & Teaching Modes

This course consists of a set of integrated learning activities designed to provide students with the opportunity to achieve the course learning outcomes, in a supportive and relevant context. The course has been designed for active participation by students. Activities within this course are detailed in this course outline and include online interactive lectures, workshops, quizzes, a literature review, short talks and a project plan.

The majority of these activities are designed to be participative and directed at peer oriented or problem based learning. An allocated research project is central to all activities within the course. It is undertaken in groups, under the guidance of an academic advisor. This course will set the scene and develop skill necessary for the final year research projects undertaken over two semesters.

Workload

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements. Note that University guidelines suggest that the average (full-time) student should spend 48-52 hours per week to achieve a Credit. Consequently, the total workload for this course is 12-13 hours per week (156 hours in total) for an average student to achieve a Credit.

Activity	Contact Hours	Private Study Hours	Total
Lectures /online modules	20	4	24
Active Participation (5%) / Workshops	16	6	22
Scheduling Assignment (5%)	2	6	8
Literature Review (35%)	4	40	44
Project Plan (20%)	4	22	26
Project Review (5%)	2	2	4
Presentation (10%)	2	10	12
Core Concepts Test (15%)	1	9	10
Project Management (5%)	1	5	6
TOTAL			156

Learning Activities Summary

No information currently available.

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

Assessment Task	Indiv/Group	Task Type	Due	Weighting	Hurdle Req	Learning Outcome
Active participation	Individual	Formative	Wks 1-12	5		1-9
Literature Review	Group	Summative	Wk 9	35	Min 50%	1-3, 9
Project Plan	Group	Summative	Wk 13	20		3, 5-7
Project Review	Individual	Summative	Wk 12	5		5-6, 8-9
Presentation	Individual	Summative	Wks 10-11	10		1-3, 8
Core Concepts Test	Individual	Summative	Wk 8	15		4-7
Scheduling Assignment	Individual	Summative	Wk 6	5		1, 6
Project Management	Group	Formative	Wk 13	5		3, 5-7

* The specific due date for each assessment task will be available on MyUni.

This assessment breakdown is registered as an exemption to the University's Assessment for Coursework Programs Policy. The exemption is related to the Procedures clause(s): 1. a. i

This course has a hurdle requirement. Meeting the specified hurdle criteria is a requirement for passing the course.

Assessment Related Requirements

Groupwork

This course includes a group research project (as part of a Small Group Discovery Experience). It will be undertaken in groups of 6, which will be formed at the start of the semester.

The active participation component of this course requires peer assessment of group members and confirmation of the individual contributions made to the project. Further detail of the peer assessment and weekly workshop active participation will be available on MyUni.

To maintain the integrity of the assessment there is a requirement that all students equally contribute to each groupwork component of the course. Where there is evidence that a group member misrepresents their contribution, or the contribution of other group members, the Academic Integrity Policy may be applied.

Additional in-class test

A Replacement/Additional quiz will be scheduled for week 12 or 13. The date of this in-class test will be confirmed closer to the time to avoid clashes.

Students who are eligible for modified arrangements through the Modified Arrangements for Coursework Assessment Policy will be able to use the additional test as a replacement test and the mark obtained will be used in the calculation of the final course
result. To be eligible, a formal application (including satisfactory evidence) will be required as detailed in the linked policy.

Students who are not available for test, and do not meet the eligibility requirements for modified arrangements (e.g. holidays, family committments, weddings, work etc.), will be able to sit the additional test but their result will be capped at 50% for the test. To be eligible for this option students are required to seek approval from the Course Coordinator at least one week prior to the Test.

Assessment Detail

No information currently available.

Submission

Submission Format
All submissions for the course will be electronic, through MyUni (with the exception of the short talks which will be delivered during the workshop sessions).

Deadlines
Deadlines are an integral part of an engineer's professional life, and the discipline of getting work finished on time is an essential one to acquire. The deadline for all submissions will be 4 pm on the nominated day. A penalty of 10% per 24 hours (or part thereof) will apply for late submissions.

Students eligible for special consideration (e.g. elite athletes, students with access plans) are requested to advise the course coordinator as early as possible where alternate arrangements will be required.

Academic Integrity Policy
The Academic Integrity Policy applies to all students, and students are advised to be familiar with the policy. Software (e.g. TurnItIn) may be used to verify the originality of submissions.

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