42908 Engineering Project Preparation
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade, no marksAnti-requisite(s): 32144 Technology Research Preparation
Description
This subject provides students with the opportunity to learn and understand different research methodologies that can be applied to successfully complete an engineering professional project or a graduate research project.
In this subject students are expected to develop specialised knowledge and attributes that demonstrate their preparedness for further learning or high-level professional practice while preparing or undertaking a project. Students are expected to use these skills to define a research question and prepare a project proposal related to their field of study or major. Students communicate their learning through written assignments and a final report encompassing literature review and a preliminary project proposal.
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, and influence stakeholders, and apply expert judgment establishing and managing constraints, conflicts and uncertainties within a hazards and risk framework to define system requirements and interactivity. (B.1)
- Design Oriented: FEIT graduates apply problem solving, design thinking and decision-making methodologies in new contexts or to novel problems, to explore, test, analyse and synthesise complex ideas, theories or concepts. (C.1)
- Collaborative and Communicative: FEIT graduates work as an effective member or leader of diverse teams, communicating effectively and operating autonomously within cross-disciplinary and cross-cultural contexts in the workplace. (E.1)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies
Students enrolled in the Master of Professional Engineering should note that 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.
- 1.5. Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline.
- 2.4. Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects.
- 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.
An aim of this subject is to help you develop academic and professional language and communication skills in order to succeed at university and in the workplace. To determine your current academic language proficiency, you are required to complete an online language screening task, OPELA. If you receive a Basic grade for OPELA, you must attend additional Language Development Tutorials (each week from weeks 4 to 12) in order to pass the subject. The development of these tutorials is a new university-wide initiative designed to provide personalised support and enhance students’ English language skills. They will focus on developing your communication skills (reading, writing, speaking, listening) and your independent learning skills, which will help you to prepare for the subject assessment tasks and for professional workplace communication tasks.
Content (topics)
The following topics will be covered:
- Engineering graduate project and its process
- Introduction to research paradigms and methodologies
- Literature review writing
- Peer-review
- Developing a research proposal
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Online Post-Enrolment Language Assessment (OPELA)
| Intent: | Students complete the online post-enrolment language assessment to ascertain their level of Academic English literacy. |
|---|---|
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark |
Assessment task 2: 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: | Report |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark |
| Length: | 400-500 words |
Assessment task 3: 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 |
| Weight: | Mandatory task that does not contribute to subject mark |
| Length: | 800-1000 words Needs to include 15 high quality references |
Assessment task 4: 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 4.
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.
All students are required to complete the OPELA. Students who receive a Basic grade in the OPELA are required to attend 80% of the Language Development Tutorials in order to pass the subject. See UTS Student Rules Section 3.8