41029 Engineering Research Preparation
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.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Undergraduate
Result type: Grade, no marksRequisite(s): (48260 Engineering Project Management OR 16912 Construction Project Management Principles OR 41202 Professional Engineering Communication) AND (41048 Professional Practice Review 2 OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09066 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09067 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Diploma Professional Engineering Practice OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09068 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Bachelor of Arts International Studies OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09069 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Bachelor of Arts International Studies Diploma Professional Engineering Practice OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09070 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Bachelor of Business OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09071 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Bachelor of Business Diploma Professional Engineering Practice OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09072 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Bachelor of Science OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09073 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Bachelor of Science Diploma Professional Engineering Practice OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09074 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Bachelor of Medical Science OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09075 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Bachelor of Medical Science Diploma Professional Engineering Practice OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09076 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Bachelor of Creative Intelligence and Innovation OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09123 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Bachelor of International Studies OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C09124 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) Bachelor of International Studies Diploma Professional Engineering Practice)) OR ((48142 Engineering Practice Review 2 OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10061 Bachelor of Engineering Diploma Engineering Practice OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10062 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Arts International Studies Diploma Engineering Practice OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10063 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Arts International Studies OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10065 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Business OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10067 Bachelor of Engineering OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10068 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Business Diploma Engineering Practice OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10073 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Science OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10074 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Science Diploma Engineering Practice OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10075 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Medical Science OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10078 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Biotechnology OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10079 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Biotechnology Diploma Engineering Practice OR 144 credit points of completed study in spk(s): C10076 Bachelor of Engineering Bachelor of Medical Science Diploma Engineering Practice)
Anti-requisite(s): 48001 Project BEngSc AND 48006 Capstone Project AND 48012 Capstone Project AND 48016 Capstone Project Part A AND 48026 Capstone Project Part B
Description
The capstone project consists of subjects that aim to consolidate the application of engineering knowledge and skills for problem-solving. It is carried out in two phases: the preparation and planning phase in this subject, and the implementation phase in 41030 Engineering Capstone. Students undertake the capstone project in their final year of study.
In these two subjects students solve complicated engineering problems that respond to industrial, academic and personal interests, taking a systematic approach. The types of capstone projects that students can undertake include research and development, investigation, experimentation, design, building and manufacturing. Students in this subject develop skills in research design, project management and critical communication.
This subject, Engineering Research Preparation, emphasises the development of the theoretical framework and the associated project plan for a student's capstone project. The subject is followed by the implementation phase in 41030. Both subjects aim to strengthen students' knowledge application, and research and communication competencies to the graduate level for engineering practice as per Engineers Australia Stage 1 competencies and faculty graduate attributes. Both subjects also align with Australian Qualifications Framework criteria of graduation concerning knowledge, skills development and application to the bachelor's (level 7) and honours (level 8) degrees.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to:
| 1. | Develop a research question that is related to their field of practice. (B.1) |
|---|---|
| 2. | Review the relevant research literature to identify an opportunity to contribute to an existing field of knowledge (B.1) |
| 3. | Design an ethical and sustainable research project with an appropriate methodology (C.1) |
| 4. | Create a feasible research proposal in collaboration with a supervisor (C.1) |
| 5. | Seek and respond to feedback from supervisor and peers to inform reflection upon performance (E.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)
- 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)
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:
- 1.4. Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline.
- 3.1. Ethical conduct and professional accountability.
- 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.
Teaching and learning strategies
Workshops are interactive large group sessions, with small-group breakout phases, in which students are guided to explore topics such as Indigenous dimensions of engineering research, the elements of researchable questions, how to survey and review literature, research methodologies, research ethics, research proposal, and how to manage your relationship with your adviser. The Reading List and the Modules on Canvas provide resources for students to use in preparation for workshops. Workshops also provide opportunities to students for individual and small group consultations with subject staff.
Students need to meet regularly with their Capstone Supervisor to discuss their progress on each Assessment Task.
Two peer review seminars will provide students with opportunities to develop their ability to provide and receive peer review on drafts of assessment tasks in order to contribute to their colleagues’ development, and to improve the viability and success of their own research project designs. The final seminar will provide opportunities for students to answer questions from their peer review group about the scope, methodology and impact of the research project.
Content (topics)
The following topics will be covered:
- The Engineering capstone
- Introduction to research paradigms and methodologies
- Literature review writing
- Peer-review
- Developing a research proposal
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Preliminary Research
| Intent: | Students are able to identify a research interest related to their field of practice (major), scope that into a researchable question, and conduct some preliminary research. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 1 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1 |
| Type: | Project |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Length: | 400-500 words |
Assessment task 2: Literature Survey and Review
| Intent: | Students are able to conduct a literature survey to establish current, reliable, and authoritative knowledge related to their chosen engineering research topic, synthesise and review this literature to identify a gap in the literature, and formulate a researchable question that has potential to make a contribution to that existing field of knowledge. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 2 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): B.1 |
| Type: | Literature review |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Length: | 650-750 words |
Assessment task 3: Research Project Proposal
| Intent: | Students are able to improve upon an exploratory literature review and research question(s), for inclusion in a research project proposal that further explores Indigenous, ethical, methodological and implementation dimensions of the proposed research project. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 3, 4 and 5 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs): C.1 and E.1 |
| Type: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 100% |
| Length: | 2000-2500 words |
Minimum requirements
To achieve a pass grade for the subject, students must submit their attempt of all assessment tasks by the due date and achieve a minimum of Pass in assessment task 3.
Students who do not submit all assessment tasks by the due dates may be referred to the Responsible Academic
Officer under Student Rule 3.8.2, and a fail result may be recorded for this subject.