In this unit, students will explore the role and importance of engineering in society, at both the national and international level. This will include identifying issues facing engineers such as sustainability; existing trends and practices; and innovations to meet future challenges. Students will examine the development of Engineering as a profession and look at the varying disciplines within the profession. This will enable students to establish their own learning and career goals and develop strategies to achieve those goals. Students will also examine the activities that constitute the engineering method, a problem-solving process, and apply the method to an identified problem. Case studies will be presented to students introducing them to descriptions of real situations that provide a context for engineers to explore decision-making in the face of socio-technical issues, such as environmental, political, and ethical issues. Students will work on a number of deliverables that will require them to work both individually and collaboratively, and communicate their work and findings in oral and written forms.

Unit details

Location:
Footscray Park
Study level:
Undergraduate
Credit points:
12
Unit code:
NEF1103

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Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
  1. Articulate using appropriate language a range of key roles and features of engineering in the local and global communities as applied in practice;  
  2. Develop their own learning and career goals, and use self-management skills to plan and manage their work;  
  3. Work collaboratively to investigate/review the professional responsibilities of engineers in the community;  
  4. Work individually and as a team member to apply the engineering problem-solving method and its associated steps to an identified problem;  
  5. Discuss strategies for sustainable and ethical practices in developing solutions to engineering problems.  

Assessment

Assessment type Description Grade
Assignment Individual video responding to 3 posed questions, (2-3 mins) 15%
Report Team PROJECT: Part A Draft technical team report on proposed solution 25%
Report Team PROJECT: Part B Final technical Repot 30%
Presentation Presentation - each group proposes 1 or 2 solutions and defends their solutions of defined criteria, audience judge better solution 30%
For any team assessment, a percentage of student's mark is based on their contribution to the overall task.

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