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 - 2021
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 Feedback
Students would appreciate topics to study each week to scaffold the assignments
Topics to be established for individual weeks with tutorial activities to assist students in mastering the curriculum
Feedback from Teaching team review
Weighting of assessment task 4 does not reflect the quantity of work and learning required to complete successfully
Assessment weighting for assignment 4 to be increased to reflect requirements of assessment
- 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 Your Future: An Australasian Guide
Edition: 4th (2019)
Authors: David Dowling, Roger Hadgraft, Anna Carew, Tim McCarthy, Doug Hargreaves, Caroline Baillie, Sally Male
Wiley
Milton Milton , QLD , Australia
ISBN: 9780730369165
Binding: eBook
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
- Microsoft Word
- CQUniveristy Library Resources
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
c.skipper@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
- Introduction to the unit.
- Teaching Team Contacts and how to communicate with lecturers and fellow classmates.
- Overview of assessments and submission dates.
- Learning Resources - information on weekly Zoom tutorial and residential school timetable. Information on unit textbook and Moodle resources.
- Introduction to the Academic Learning Centre.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Commence Assessment 1 (Reflective paper-Who is an Engineering Associate)
Module/Topic
- What is engineering and what is the role of an engineer and engineering associate.
- Introduction to various engineering disciplines.
- Discussion of assessment 1. Introduction to reflective writing and why mastering the skill of reflection is important for engineers.
Chapter
Text book: Chapter 1 – What is engineering (The Engineers Australia Competency framework section 1.3)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- Introduce Engineers Australia.
- Introduce and review the stage 1 competencies for an Engineering Associate.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Compulsory Residential School for Mix-Mode / Online Students.
Module/Topic
- What is sustainable engineering and why is it important.
- Frameworks for sustainable development.
Chapter
Textbook: Chapter 3 - Sustainable Engineering
Events and Submissions/Topic
Commence Assessment 2(Sustainable Development Critique)
Compulsory Residential School for Mix-Mode / Online Students
Module/Topic
- How to apply various methods of assessment to determine the sustainability of a solution.
- Improving information literacy and identifying reputable sources of information.
Chapter
Textbook: Chapter 9 – Understanding the Problem
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Use this time catch up or look ahead at topics.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- Review various examples of engineering projects and processes.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- Understanding the engineering method.
Chapter
Textbook: Chapter 2 – The Engineering Method
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- Effective communication for reports and presentations.
- Writing and structuring a feasibility report.
Chapter
Textbook: Chapter 7 and 8 – Understanding communication and communication skills
Events and Submissions/Topic
Commence Assessment 3 (Self and Peer evaluation-A)
Commence Assessment 4 (Feasibility Report)
Assessment 2 - Sustainable Development Critique Due: Week 8 Tuesday (4 May 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
- Introducing the Engineers Australia Code of Ethics.
- Understanding the professional responsibility of engineers and working as a team.
Chapter
Textbook: Chapter 4 – Professional Responsibility and Ethics
Textbook: Chapter 6 - Collaborating with others
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- What is a risk assessment
Chapter
Textbook: Chapter 13.3 - Develop a risk-management plan for a project
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- Review of unit.
- Examples of feasibility studies
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Commence Assessment 5 (Self and Peer evaluation-B)
Module/Topic
- Revision and where to from here - your onward learning journey
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.
Week 5 Tuesday (6 Apr 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 7 Tuesday (27 Apr 2021)
Marks awarded and feedback provided on separate form
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. For the written report submission, you must define what sustainable development is, identify a suitable engineering project or process and critique it. You will identify opportunities and barriers for 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.
Week 8 Tuesday (4 May 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 10 Tuesday (18 May 2021)
Marks awarded and feedback provided on separate form
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-Evaluation Questionnaire of your teammates as provided on Moodle. Peer evaluation is anonymous and feedback is automatically provided through Moodle.
1
Other
Week 9 Tuesday (11 May 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 11 Tuesday (25 May 2021)
Feedback links are provided on Moodle shortly after the questionnaire closes.
Peer evaluation 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.
Review/Exam Week Tuesday (8 June 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Marks will be awarded and feedback provided in a separate feedback form.
Exam Week Friday (18 June 2021)
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-Evaluation Questionnaire of your teammates as provided on Moodle. Peer evaluation is anonymous and feedback is automatically provided through Moodle.
1
Other
Review/Exam Week Tuesday (8 June 2021) 11:45 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (18 June 2021)
Peer evaluation 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.