University of Technology Sydney

41084 Fundamentals Studio A

Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.

Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.

UTS: Engineering: Electrical and Data Engineering
Credit points: 6 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade, no marks

Requisite(s): 41082 Introduction to Data Engineering OR 48510 Introduction to Electrical and Electronic Engineering

Description

This is a studio subject. It is not a conventional subject guided by a curriculum. Its purpose is to provide an environment in which students can translate the knowledge they have or can gain into what they can do.

This is the first studio in the fundamentals stage of the Data and Electronic Engineering majors.

Studios are product-based subjects, largely conducted in the studio, in collaboration with other students, academic staff and industry mentors. Students do a combination of individual self-directed study and project work as a team.

The stages of the projects are the means by which students learn how to apply their knowledge to what they can achieve. The stages follow the classic engineering paradigm of assess, design and implement.

The individual tasks are guided by a learning contract established at the beginning of the session.

In the Fundamentals Studio, students focus on learning fundamental knowledge and skills needed to achieve the basic functionality of their chosen product. There is an emphasis on creativity and exploration of different approaches, both in developing technical expertise, as well as teamwork, communication and project management. Students should use this as an opportunity to extend the knowledge gained from other coursework subjects by learning new topics of personal interest.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:

1. Identify needs of a product owner and formulate product requirements to address those needs. (B.1)
2. Model, prototype and/or build a product to meet requirements. (C.1)
3. Work effectively in a team to solve complex problems. (E.1)
4. Demonstrate advancement of fundamental knowledge and skills appropriate to the student's discipline. (D.1)
5. Demonstrate engineering record-keeping skills. (F.1)
6. Share fundamental knowledge and/or skills with peers in the studio. (F.1)

Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)

This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

  • Socially Responsible: FEIT graduates identify, engage, interpret and analyse stakeholder needs and cultural perspectives, establish priorities and goals, and identify constraints, uncertainties and risks (social, ethical, cultural, legislative, environmental, economics etc.) to define the system requirements. (B.1)
  • Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design and decision-making methodologies to develop components, systems and processes to meet specified requirements. (C.1)
  • Technically Proficient: FEIT graduates apply abstraction, mathematics and discipline fundamentals, software, tools and techniques to evaluate, implement and operate systems. (D.1)
  • Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)
  • Reflective: FEIT graduates critically self-review their performance to improve themselves, their teams, and the broader community and society. (F.1)

Contribution to the development of graduate attributes

Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies

This subject contributes to the development of the following Engineers Australia 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.
  • 1.5. 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.
  • 3.2. Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.
  • 3.3. Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour.
  • 3.4. Professional use and management of information.
  • 3.5. Orderly management of self, and professional conduct.
  • 3.6. Effective team membership and team leadership.

Teaching and learning strategies

The faculty expects a commitment of nine hours per week for the Studio. Two hours of this this will be as scheduled Studio time. Students are expected to attend this session each week. This is the time when:

  1. Individual students and staff meet to discuss ILCs
  2. Teams meet with staff to discuss Team progress
  3. Teams meet with Product Owners
  4. Industry visitors present talks on interesting topics
  5. “Teach” the team sessions occur.

Additional time will be available in the Software Development Studio room before and after the studio time for teams to schedule individual meetings with their Product Owner, in cases where the Product Owner cannot attend the studio.

The Studio is run predominantly on campus. For students who are overseas and cannot physically attend, an option to join the Studio session online via Microsoft Teams will be provided, with more details provided on Canvas at the start of the session.

Ultimately learning is the student's responsibility. It is an aim of this subject to help students develop strategies that will enable them to more effectively undertake the responsibility of learning. These strategies will help students throughout the rest of their course and later in practice.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Individual Learning Contract Agreement

Intent:

Creation of an Individual Learning Contract allows students to identify and document their learning direction, and set goals for the session.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1 and 4

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

B.1 and D.1

Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 10%

Assessment task 2: Individual Learning Contract Delivery

Intent:

In delivering on the Individual Learning Contract, students demonstrate that they progressively achieve the goals set near the start of the session.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

4, 5 and 6

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

D.1 and F.1

Type: Portfolio
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 30%

Assessment task 3: Team Product/Prototype Proposal

Intent:

Creating a Product/Prototype Proposal allows teams of students to define a scope for their studio work for the current session, and to negotiate the scope and outcomes with the Product Owner(s) and academic mentor(s).

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1 and 3

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

B.1 and E.1

Type: Project
Groupwork: Group, group and individually assessed
Weight: 15%

Assessment task 4: Team Product/Prototype Delivery

Intent:

Students demonstrate their ability to deliver a Product or Prototype to an agreed scope. In doing so, students also demonstrate their capacity to solve problems, create solutions, work in teams, communicate professionally, and manage time and tasks.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

B.1, C.1, D.1, E.1 and F.1

Type: Project
Groupwork: Group, group and individually assessed
Weight: 25%

Assessment task 5: Personal Design Journal

Intent:

Creation of a Personal Design Journal that allows each student to record and reflect on their process and experiences in completing the Team Product.

Objective(s):

This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs):

2, 3, 4 and 5

This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs):

C.1, D.1, E.1 and F.1

Type: Journal
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 20%