University of Technology Sydney

48141 Engineering Practice Preview 2

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: Professional Practice and Leadership
Credit points: 3 cp

Subject level:

Undergraduate

Result type: Grade and marks

Requisite(s): 48122 Engineering Practice Review 1 OR 48120 Review of Engineering Practice 1
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.

Description

This latter-stage undergraduate subject assists students to develop as professional engineers and supports preparation for the second stage of the Engineering Practice Program. Through participation in six workshops students develop and demonstrate their understanding of employment-related processes; ethical decision-making; social responsibility; opportunities for leadership and 'followership'; and the complexities of workplace culture. The workshops offer a range of collaborative and experiential learning activities in which students actively engage with their peers, reflect on their learning and refine their communication skills appropriate for professional engineering practice. Students review their past practice and consider their future development needs against the requirements of the Australian Engineering Competency Standards. Reflective practice is embedded throughout the subject to foster the development of students' strategies for continued professional development and lifelong learning.

Subject learning objectives (SLOs)

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

1. Review past practice, plan and prepare for future workplace participation at a graduate and professional level.
2. Refine and develop your approach to employment for professional engineering practice.
3. Synthesise your knowledge of workplace culture and organisational behaviour.
4. Develop and demonstrate effective communication skills appropriate to professional engineering.
5. Explore issues of ethical conduct and review your own ethical framework.
6. Review and evaluate your own objectives and outcomes.
7. Understand, analyse and critique the social context in which engineering is practised.
8. Discuss and develop strategies for mentoring and teamwork.
9. Develop models of workplace participation which are socially responsible and personally rewarding.

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)
  • 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)

Teaching and learning strategies

Engineering Practice Preview 2 helps to prepare you for workplace experience by fostering an awareness of the competency requirements of your profession and broadening your understanding of the activities in professional engineering practice using the following strategies:

Online introductory lecture: Students are introduced to the requirements and expectations of the subject through a lecture accessed on Canvas. The lecture provides an outline of what students can expect in tutorial sessions, an overview of assessment and tips on how to be successful in the subject.

Tutorials: In the tutorial sessions students explore six module topics in depth. Each session requires a high level of peer interaction as students collaborate to work through a series of tasks involving activities such as developing a presentation; problem-solving; reflecting and sharing workplace experiences; and giving and receiving feedback. The skills and attributes developed throughout these sessions relate directly to the issues that students may encounter on the senior internship. The emphasis on team-based learning means all students are expected to attend all sessions.

Pre-class preparation activities: Students are required to complete readings and notes prior to each session. Student responses to the readings are used in class to add depth to discussion which is an essential component to each student's contribution to the collaborative learning environment.

Assessment

Assessment task 1: Developing Professional Practice

Intent:

You will be engaged in a variety of pre-class, in-class and post-class activities based on the topics under investigation across the six sessions. You will be assessed on your engagement with the materials, insight into your learning, pre-class preparation, communication skills and your ability to collaborate with and provide feedback to your peers.

Objective(s):

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

1, 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8

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

B.1, E.1 and F.1

Type: Exercises
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 30%
Criteria:

Task 1.1

Content, Written Communication, Presentation.

Task 1.2

Content, Written Communication

Assessment task 2: Preparing for the Workplace

Intent:

The objective of this task is to assist in setting your learning goals and help you make decisions about the types of activities you need to plan for in order to maximise your learning and success for your senior internship. Learning goals and activities will be developed in accordance with the Engineers Australia Competency Standard – Stage 2 – Professional Engineer.

Objective(s):

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

1, 2, 4 and 6

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

E.1 and F.1

Type: Exercises
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 25%
Criteria:

Task 2.1

Content, Written Communication, Presentation

Task 2.2

Written Communication, Presentation

Assessment task 3: Engineering Practice in Context

Intent:

Your objective for this task is to demonstrate an understanding of the social context in which engineering is practiced. As a member of a small group, you will identify the issues described in a case study based on a past student's internship experience. Through the development of this task, you will analyse the relationships between leadership (followership), ethics and social responsibility. Students will consider the role of teamwork and mentoring within the context. Students will work in groups to formulate their ideas and communicate findings in oral and written form.

Objective(s):

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

3, 4 and 7

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

B.1 and E.1

Type: Exercises
Groupwork: Group, group and individually assessed
Weight: 30%
Length:

2000 words (excluding headings and reference list)

Criteria:

Task 3.1

Content, Written Communication, Presentation.

Task 3.2

Content, Oral Communication, Group Work

Assessment task 4: Workplace Cultures for Engineers

Intent:

Your objective for this task is to consider your first internship or engineering work placement in terms of the workplace culture you experienced. Through this task you will draw conclusions as to what aspects of workplace culture are important to you and why. Your ability to reflect on your past experience and communicate your ideas effectively will be critical to this task.

Objective(s):

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

1, 4 and 9

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

B.1, E.1 and F.1

Type: Report
Groupwork: Individual
Weight: 15%
Length:

2 minutes

Criteria:

Task 4.1

Content, Presentation