Overview
In this unit, you will explore the role of engineers in the context of sustainable engineering design and practice. In a team, you will be required to research issues, evaluate the quality of the information obtained and prepare reports on an issue involving sustainable development and practice. You will develop communication, problem-solving and critical thinking skills, which will assist you to function effectively in the engineering workplace and as collaborative learners. You will be required to attend a compulsory residential school early in Term 1 to facilitate attaining the unit learning outcomes.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2018
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes – in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 6-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 12.5 hours of study per week, making a total of 150 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from Student satisfaction survey
Residential school was helpful but could be made shorter or give more time to the Team Project
Residential school could be held after census date and once project teams are formed to allow students to work productively on their projects.
Feedback from Student satisfaction survey and staff reflections
Examples of feasibility report and reflective paper should be provided earlier in the term
Provide examples of written assignments with instructions.
Feedback from Student satisfaction survey and staff reflections
Zoom virtual tutorial sessions were very helpful to discuss progress with assignments
Continue offering weekly Zoom virtual tutorials to maintain engagement with the students.
- Develop an understanding of the challenges and opportunities with sustainable development and assess current applications in engineering practice
- Investigate and discuss the interdependence of sustainable development and ethics in professional engineering practice
- Identify appropriate sources of information, research an issue and evaluate the quality of the information obtained
- Prepare technical reports and presentations to communicate the results and limitations of investigations
- Demonstrate effective teamwork and communication skills by supporting collaborative problem solving and learning
- Demonstrate effective time, team and project management skills
The Learning Outcomes for this unit are linked to the Engineers Australia Stage 1 competencies.
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
1 - Written Assessment - 30% | ||||||
2 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||||
3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 5% | ||||||
4 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 20% | ||||||
5 - Online Quiz(zes) - 5% |
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
1 - Communication | ||||||
2 - Problem Solving | ||||||
3 - Critical Thinking | ||||||
4 - Information Literacy | ||||||
5 - Team Work | ||||||
6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||||
7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||||
8 - Ethical practice | ||||||
9 - Social Innovation | ||||||
10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures |
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | |||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | |
1 - Written Assessment - 30% | ||||||||||
2 - Written Assessment - 40% | ||||||||||
3 - Online Quiz(zes) - 5% | ||||||||||
4 - Presentation and Written Assessment - 20% | ||||||||||
5 - Online Quiz(zes) - 5% |
Textbooks
Engineering for your future
3rd edition (2016)
Authors: David Dowling, Roger Hadgraft, Anna Carew, Tim Mccarthy, Doug Hargreaves, Caroline Baillie
John Wiley & Sons Australia Ltd
Milton Milton , QLD , Australia
ISBN: 9780730314721
Binding: Other
Additional Textbook Information
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Microsoft Powerpoint
- Microsoft Word
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
ben.taylor@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Video: Unit overview, assessments and communication strategy
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Commence Assignment 1
Module/Topic
Video: Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competencies for Engineering Associates
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Video: Reflective writing genre
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Video: Frameworks for sustainable development
Chapter
Textbook: Chapter 3 – Sustainable Engineering (What is Sustainable Engineering pp.125-132)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Commence Assignment 2
Module/Topic
Video: The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals
Video: Information literacy
Chapter
Textbook: Chapter 9 – Understanding the Problem (Evaluating Information pp.464-468)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
BREAK WEEK
Chapter
BREAK WEEK
Events and Submissions/Topic
BREAK WEEK
Module/Topic
Video: Examples from industry of sustainable development 1
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Video: Examples from industry of sustainable development 2
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Commence Assignment 4
Module/Topic
Video: Ethics and teamwork - towards fair Self and Peer-Assessments
Chapter
Textbook: Chapter 4 – Professional Responsibility and Ethics (Engineering Ethics pp.183-186 & Interpreting and Applying Code of Ethics pp.190-198)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Video: Unit review & Understanding the Engineering Method
Chapter
Textbook: Chapter 2 – The Engineering Method (The engineering method pp.56-72)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Video: Effective communications for reports and presentations
Chapter
Textbook: Chapter 7 – Understanding communication (Introduction pp.328-332)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Video: Risk assessment and managing sensitive information
Chapter
Textbook: Chapter 2 – The Engineering Method (Risk Management pp.83-86)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Video: Where to from here - your onward learning journey
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Written Assessment
Prepare a typed Reflective Paper by studying the resources provided for this assignment on Moodle. You will need to become familiar with the Reflective Writing Guide to ensure your paper articulates reflective thoughts rather than just restating the resources provided. There is not a strict word limit, either minimum or maximum, but you should be able to prepare approximately two to three pages for this assignment.
A Marking Rubric is provided on Moodle that includes indicators of attainment at the ‘Sound’, ‘Good’ and ‘Excellent’ level for each component of the assignment.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
- Develop an understanding of the challenges and opportunities with sustainable development and assess current applications in engineering practice
- Investigate and discuss the interdependence of sustainable development and ethics in professional engineering practice
- Identify appropriate sources of information, research an issue and evaluate the quality of the information obtained
- Prepare technical reports and presentations to communicate the results and limitations of investigations
- Demonstrate effective teamwork and communication skills by supporting collaborative problem solving and learning
2 Written Assessment
Prepare a typed critique on the topic of sustainable development. You must define what sustainable development is, identify a suitable engineering project or process and critique it. You will identify opportunities and barriers for increasing the sustainability of this practice. You will need to correctly reference your information sources and ensure that your information is reputable. There is not a strict word limit, either minimum or maximum, but you should prepare approximately three to four pages for this assignment.
A Marking Rubric is provided on Moodle that includes indicators of attainment at the ‘Sound’, ‘Good’ and ‘Excellent’ level for each component of the assignment.
- Communication
- Problem Solving
- Critical Thinking
- Information Literacy
- Team Work
- Information Technology Competence
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
- Develop an understanding of the challenges and opportunities with sustainable development and assess current applications in engineering practice
- Investigate and discuss the interdependence of sustainable development and ethics in professional engineering practice
- Identify appropriate sources of information, research an issue and evaluate the quality of the information obtained
- Prepare technical reports and presentations to communicate the results and limitations of investigations
- Demonstrate effective teamwork and communication skills by supporting collaborative problem solving and learning
- Demonstrate effective time, team and project management skills
3 Online Quiz(zes)
You must complete a Self and Peer-Assessment Questionnaire of your teammates as provided on Moodle. Peer assessment is anonymous and feedback is automatically provided through Moodle.
1
Feedback links are provided on Moodle shortly after the questionnaire closes
Peer assessment scores are determined using the average of your performance ratings from teammates on key aspects of teamwork. Refer to Moodle for further information.
- Communication
- Team Work
- Ethical practice
- Demonstrate effective teamwork and communication skills by supporting collaborative problem solving and learning
4 Presentation and Written Assessment
In your team, prepare a typed Feasibility Report for promoting sustainable development. Using the individual critiques of sustainable development completed by your team members in Assignment 2, decide on an engineering project or process to investigate further. You should explore options to increase the sustainability of this practice by using the 'engineering method' to problem solve any opportunities or barriers to sustainable development. You will need to become familiar with the report template provided on Moodle. There is not a strict word limit, either minimum or maximum, but the main body of your report should be approximately five to six pages to sufficiently examine key aspects of this practice.
A Marking Rubric is provided on Moodle that includes indicators of attainment at the ‘Sound’, ‘Good’ and ‘Excellent’ level for each component of the assignment.
- Communication
- Critical Thinking
- Team Work
- Cross Cultural Competence
- Ethical practice
- Develop an understanding of the challenges and opportunities with sustainable development and assess current applications in engineering practice
- Investigate and discuss the interdependence of sustainable development and ethics in professional engineering practice
- Identify appropriate sources of information, research an issue and evaluate the quality of the information obtained
- Prepare technical reports and presentations to communicate the results and limitations of investigations
- Demonstrate effective teamwork and communication skills by supporting collaborative problem solving and learning
- Demonstrate effective time, team and project management skills
5 Online Quiz(zes)
You must complete a Self and Peer-Assessment Questionnaire of your teammates as provided on Moodle. Peer assessment is anonymous and feedback is automatically provided through Moodle.
1
Feedback links are provided on Moodle shortly after the questionnaire closes
Peer assessment scores are determined using the average of your performance ratings from teammates on key aspects of teamwork. Refer to Moodle for further information.
- Communication
- Team Work
- Ethical practice
- Demonstrate effective teamwork and communication skills by supporting collaborative problem solving and learning
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.