Overview
This unit is specifically designed so that students can apply the processes of research investigation through the analysis of, reflection on and critique of, an area of their professional practice. The unit uses a problem-based learning approach within an authentic workplace learning environment. This ensures students are undertaking an investigation that is relevant to the needs of industry. Students will apply an appropriate research methodology that suits their research problem. At the end of this unit, students will have developed a project plan that they will implement in the follow-on unit Engineering Research Project Implementation.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Students must have completed a minimum of 36 credit points and approval of head of course or delegate is required. Students must have a project topic and academic supervisor before they can be enrolled.
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 2 - 2020
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 12-credit Postgraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 25 hours of study per week, making a total of 300 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 Unit evaluation and self reflection
Feedback quality and return time.
Supervisors and reviewers shall be asked and reminded of the quality and timely feedback. The Unit Coordinator should check and ensure the quality of feedback.
Feedback from Self-reflections
Student supervisor interactions.
Interaction with supervisors and students is important and regular weekly meetings are one way of ensuring this. Weekly meetings should be made compulsory.
Feedback from Self-reflection and informal discussion with the student discussions
Academic Integrity.
All assessments with similarity scores above a minimum threshold must be investigated for academic misconduct.
- Identify a suitable problem related to the study discipline
- Develop a research question including identifying key words
- Conduct an indepth review of related literature
- Select an appropriate research methodology to investigate the problem
- Regularly communicate professionally with all stakeholders in formal and informal reports
- Professionally present the project plan in a seminar and defend the methodology adopted.
n/a
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
1 - Report - 10% | ||||||
2 - Literature Review or Systematic Review - 20% | ||||||
3 - Presentation - 20% | ||||||
4 - Portfolio - 50% |
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
1 - Knowledge | ||||||
2 - Communication | ||||||
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | ||||||
4 - Research | ||||||
5 - Self-management | ||||||
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility | ||||||
7 - Leadership | ||||||
8 - 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 | |
1 - Report - 10% | ||||||||
2 - Literature Review or Systematic Review - 20% | ||||||||
3 - Presentation - 20% | ||||||||
4 - Portfolio - 50% |
Textbooks
GUIDEGUIDE to RESEARCH PROJECTS for ENGINEERING STUDENTS: Planning, Writing and Presenting
1st Edition (2016 / any (2016))
Authors: Eng-Choon Leong, Carmel Lee-Hsia Heah, Kenneth Keng Wee Ong
CRC Press
London London , Britain , UK
ISBN: ISBN 978-1-4822-3877-8
Binding: Paperback
Additional Textbook Information
Additional Textbook Information Copies can be purchased from the CQUni Bookshop here: http://bookshop.cqu.edu.au (search on the Unit code) View textbooks at the CQUniversity Bookshop
Additional Textbook Information Strand FE7 ANSYS SIMSCAPE/FLUIDS DESIGN MOD TRNSYS VPIphotonics Design Suite version 10.0 Anaconda Python Matlab ANSYS (Fluent; DesignModeller) GT-Power ABAQUS DesignBuilder EDEM Classroom software
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing styles below:
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
n.das@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
- Introduction to the Unit
- Introduction to Engineering Projects
- How to develop an Engineering Project Proposal
Chapter
Lecture notes
Reading: Leong E.C., et al - Chapter 3, 4, 5
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Select/finalize Project Topic and commence developing your project proposal
- Set up communication strategies with Project Supervisor
- Set up weekly meeting logs and use 4-square chart available on the Moodle and forward to your advisor every week after the meeting.
Module/Topic
- Developing Engineering Projects
- Initiating ideas/topics
- The Preliminary Literature Research
- Developing Aim and objectives, and scoping projects
Chapter
Lecture notes
Reading: Leong E.C., et al - Chapter 2, 3
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Finalize topic. Finalize proposal. Get signatures from all stakeholders.
- Project Proposal Due by Friday of Week 2. Check submission guidelines on Moodle.
Module/Topic
- Conducting Literature Research – Search, Retrieve, Interpret and Adopt
- Search strategies - Identifying search elements, Developing themes, Mindmaps
- Search Options
- Managing Literature - Using ENDNOTE
Chapter
Lecture notes
Reading: Leong E.C., et al - Chapter 4, 5, 9
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Commence literature research
- Commence Planning thesis development (Refer to Reading: Leong E.C., et al - Chapter 13)
Project Proposal 10% Due: Week 3 Monday (27 July 2020) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
- Interpreting and annotating literature
- Citation Styles
- Developing critique
Chapter
Lecture notes
Reading: Leong E.C., et al - Chapter 4, 18, 19
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Literature Research continues
- Commence developing LR chapter
- Thesis development continues
Module/Topic
- Engineering Project Methodology - Types and approaches
- Waterfall and Agile Project Methodologies
Chapter
Lecture Notes
Reading: Leong E.C., et al - Chapter 7, 8
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Literature Research continues
- LR chapter - further development
- Commence your project methodology
- Thesis development continues
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
- Design of Experiments
Chapter
Lecture Notes
Reading: Leong E.C., et al - Chapter 14
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Finalize Project Methodology
- Commence DoE
- Thesis development continues
Updated Project Proposal and Literature Review - 20% Due: Week 6 Friday (28 Aug 2020) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
- Project Planning
- Project Scheduling
- Gantt Charts
- Resource Audit
Chapter
Lecture notes
Reading: Leong E.C., et al - Chapter 6
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Finalize Design of Experiments
- Thesis development continues
Module/Topic
- Engineering Project Risk Analysis - Risk Event, Time frame, Probability, Impact and Factors
- Undertaking Project RA
- Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan
Chapter
Lecture notes
Reading: Leong E.C., et al - Chapter 3, 4
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Commence planning and scheduling activities
- Develop Gantt charts
- Allocate resources
- Thesis development continues
Module/Topic
- Planning Thesis finalization - Tying it all together
- Preparing your oral presentation
Chapter
Lecture Notes
Reading: Leong E.C., et al - Chapter 10, 11, 12
Reading: Leong E.C., et al - Chapter 23
Events and Submissions/Topic
- Commence RA and RMP. Get relevant approvals
- Thesis development continues
Module/Topic
Activities continue
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Thesis development continues
Research Methodology Presentation - 20% Due: Week 10 Friday (25 Sept 2020) 11:59 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Activities continue
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Thesis development continues
Module/Topic
Planning Thesis ready for submission.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
In light of the COVID-19 Social distancing regulations, the lectures in this unit will be delivered online via zoom. There will be 7 lectures in all. Attendance to all lectures is mandatory as you will be provided with lot of useful information and tips and tricks that will help you develop your thesis successfully. An attendance log will be maintained.
1 Report
You will write a Project Proposal clearly, study enough number of literature relevant to your project, provide introduction and literature findings, basic understanding of the research problem, rational, deliverable, stakeholder/s, list of references and other information required. Lectures on Project Proposal and relevant topics will be given and it is crucial that you attend and attend all weekly meetings with supervisor.
Week 3 Monday (27 July 2020) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 5 Monday (10 Aug 2020)
Appropriate title page, introduction and scope, aim and objectives, equipment and tools required and others are the major assessable portions of the Project Proposal document. Detailed Assessment Criteria will be available in Unit Moodle site.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
- Identify a suitable problem related to the study discipline
- Develop a research question including identifying key words
2 Literature Review or Systematic Review
Updated Project Proposal should address the feedback from supervisor and provide a background to the project, including a brief literature review to contextualise the project. It should include realistic aims and objectives and identify expected outcomes.
You should critically evaluate and present the literature review on your research topic. It is important that the literature you use are directly relevant to your project topic and support your project rationale.
Week 6 Friday (28 Aug 2020) 11:59 pm AEST
Week 8 Monday (7 Sept 2020)
The extent to which
- the project background is clearly written.
- the context justifies the need of the work.
- the aims and objectives are clear and realistic.
- the proposal is supported by relevant literature
- appropriate quality and number of literature are reviewed.
- literature are critically evaluated
Detailed Assessment Criteria will be available on the course website.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Research
- Conduct an indepth review of related literature
3 Presentation
Students are required to do a 10-minute presentation on their project plan. Prepare power point slides to present for 10 min and 5 min for Q&A session. Presentations cannot be rescheduled.
Week 10 Friday (25 Sept 2020) 11:59 pm AEST
Exact presentation schedule will be published on the course website.
Week 12 Monday (5 Oct 2020)
Aim and objective, depth of literature review, appropriateness of proposed research methodology, presentation style and skills and answering questions are the major assessable items. Detailed Assessment Criteria will be available on the course website.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
- Select an appropriate research methodology to investigate the problem
- Professionally present the project plan in a seminar and defend the methodology adopted.
4 Portfolio
Submit the planning report that you are going to implement in ENRP20003 Engineering Research Project Implementation unit. You are expected to structure your report as follows:
- Title Page
- Abstract
- Acknowledgments
- Table of Contents
- List of Figures
- List of Tables
- Introduction
- Literature Review
- Methodology
- Risk Assessment
- Conclusion
- References
- Appendices as appropriate
Week 12 Friday (9 Oct 2020) 11:45 pm AEST
After the certification of grades.
The project report will be evaluated based on the quality of individual chapters and comprehensive of the whole project and the thesis report.
- Knowledge
- Communication
- Cognitive, technical and creative skills
- Research
- Ethical and Professional Responsibility
- Identify a suitable problem related to the study discipline
- Develop a research question including identifying key words
- Conduct an indepth review of related literature
- Select an appropriate research methodology to investigate the problem
- Regularly communicate professionally with all stakeholders in formal and informal reports
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.