Unit Outline

Each student is required to undertake a substantial high level two-semester project, this unit being the first, within their engineering discipline, which may involve aspects of research and development work, engineering design, literature survey, experimental work, theoretical work, computational studies, simulation, prototype testing and implementation. Industry linked projects are encouraged. Honours projects are required to have a significant research component to develop the skills required for a research higher degree (PhD or Masters). Projects will synthesise and extend knowledge gained in other units. Each student is assigned an individual supervisor from the academic staff of the school, but where appropriate may also have school or industry based co-supervisors. Students are required to provide planning and costing details for their projects, to meet regularly with their supervisor. At the end of Engineering Honours Project B an electronic thesis is to be submitted on a date determined by the Head of School. The electronic copy of the final thesis must also be submitted via Turnitin. The electronic copy of the thesis will be retained by the University of Tasmania library.

Intended Learning Outcomes

As per the Assessment and Results Policy 1.3, your results will reflect your achievement against specified learning outcomes.

On completion of this unit, you will be able to:


1	Select, adapt and effectively apply research processes, methods, tools, and techniques to plan, conduct and manage an independent related research project
2	Critically analyse research literature to conduct a literature review
3	Interpret and respond appropriately to WH&S, IP, data management and ethical considerations and act in accordance with best practice and industry standards
4	Analyse, synthesise and evaluate factors to answer a research question, and to defend a research approach
5	Document and communicate effectively the research techniques used and the results of the research both orally and in a written thesis
6	Function effectively as a member and at times leader of an authentically diverse engineering team comprising student, supervisor, laboratory, technical or industry support and any other relevant stakeholders

Requisites


REQUISITE TYPE	REQUISITES
Pre-requisite	Completion of 50 credit points of ENG units at intermediate level AND 50 credit points of ENG units at advanced level

Alterations as a result of student feedback

How will I be Assessed?

For more detailed assessment information please see MyLO.

Assessment schedule


ASSESSMENT TASK #	ASSESSMENT TASK NAME	DATE DUE	WEIGHT	LINKS TO INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES
Assessment Task 1:	Project Plan	Week 3	10 %	LO1, LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 2:	Reflective Journal	Week 10	5 %	LO6
Assessment Task 3:	Draft thesis and progress summary report	Week 13	75 %	LO1, LO2, LO3, LO4, LO5
Assessment Task 4:	Progress oral presentation	Week 14	10 %	LO4, LO5

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Project Plan

Task Description:

Project Plan: Provide background, aims and scope, methods, expected major milestones, and resources required for the research being undertaken. Consider and identify any requirements for WH&S, ethics, IP and data storage.

You are permitted to use GenAI tools in an assistive role, for example to improve grammar or sentence structure or to assist with literature searches. Such use must always be acknowledged and you are 100% responsible for the factual correctness of all information. You are NOT permitted to use GenAI in a generative role for any part of this assessment task, for example to generate significant portions of text in your report, based on your instructions. If you are found to have used GenAI in an assistive role without acknowledgement, or in a generative role at all (with or without acknowledgement), it will constitute an academic breach and will be dealt with according to UTAS policies and procedures. Please refer to the Artificial Intelligence (AI) information section in the student portal for further ideas about how to use GenAI.

Task Length:

Strict maximum 4 pages (excluding references and appendices)

Due Date:

Week 3 (10/Aug/2025)

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Propose methods for successfully achieving the project aims considering the project risks and contingencies	LO1
2	Provide the milestones that will be used to measure the project progress	LO1
3	Comply with the writing and documentation requirements stated in the detailed task description	LO1
4	Articulate the motivation for, significance of and innovation within the project	LO2
5	Define the project aims or research question	LO2
6	Show a working knowledge of WH&S, IP and research ethics requirements	LO3

Assessment Task 2: Reflective Journal

Task Description:

Reflective Journal: Chronicle the meetings and other communication you had with your supervisor and other stakeholders in your project. Provide a reflective summary on the roles of each stakeholder or other persons affiliated with your research, and the questions discussed, goals set, etc. during your communications with them.
Learning Outcome 6 is only assessed in this task. You will be permitted one resubmission (with capped mark) within 7 calendar days of being informed of your mark if you do not achieve LO6

You are not permitted to use generative AI for any part of this assessment task. If you are found to have used generative AI to complete this assessment, it will constitute an academic breach and will be dealt with according to UTAS policies and procedures.

Task Length:

2-3 page reflection, supported by diary (approx. ½ page per meeting)

Due Date:

Week 10 (05/Oct/2025)

Weight:

5 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Proactively participate in and at times lead or manage a diverse team to achieve outcomes	LO6

Assessment Task 3: Draft thesis and progress summary report

Task Description:

Draft Thesis/Progress Report: Prepare and submit draft thesis to date, supported by a brief explanatory and progress report. Submission of this draft is the pre-requisite for entry into ENG402

You are permitted to use GenAI tools in an assistive role, for example to improve grammar or sentence structure or to assist with literature searches. Such use must always be acknowledged and you are 100% responsible for the factual correctness of all information. You are NOT permitted to use GenAI in a generative role for any part of this assessment task, for example to generate significant portions of text in your report, based on your instructions. If you are found to have used GenAI in an assistive role without acknowledgement, or in a generative role at all (with or without acknowledgement), it will constitute an academic breach and will be dealt with according to UTAS policies and procedures. Please refer to the Artificial Intelligence (AI) information section in the student portal for further ideas about how to use GenAI.

Task Length:

Draft thesis of approx 5,000–7,500 words or 50% of the length of the final thesis including an abstract and table of contents (not included in word count). Progress report 2–4 pages + appendices.

Due Date:

Week 13 (26/Oct/2025)

Weight:

75 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Critically reflect on progress and use this to inform a review of the plan for completion of the project	LO1
2	Find and critically discuss comprehensive and up-to-date research literature closely relevant to the project	LO2
3	Consider WH&S and ethics requirements and complete documentation if required	LO3
4	Progress towards completion of the project aims through completion of substantial sections of the thesis and significant milestones, including design or detailed plan of physical or virtual experiments, pilot study or acquisition of preliminary data.	LO4
5	Provide evidence of writing and document preparation at a standard, style and format appropriate for an engineering honours thesis.	LO5

Assessment Task 4: Progress oral presentation

Task Description:

Progress Oral Presentation: Prepare a pre-recorded video presentation on the thesis work to date, including the motivation, background, aims, methods, progress on outcomes or results, and completion plan. The time limit is enforced, but the video may be edited.

You are permitted to use GenAI tools in an assistive role, for example to improve grammar or sentence structure or to assist with literature searches. Such use must always be acknowledged and you are 100% responsible for the factual correctness of all information. You are NOT permitted to use GenAI in a generative role for any part of this assessment task, for example to generate significant portions of text in your report, based on your instructions. If you are found to have used GenAI in an assistive role without acknowledgement, or in a generative role at all (with or without acknowledgement), it will constitute an academic breach and will be dealt with according to UTAS policies and procedures. Please refer to the Artificial Intelligence (AI) information section in the student portal for further ideas about how to use GenAI.

Task Length:

9-10 minutes

Due Date:

Week 14 (28/Oct/2025)

Weight:

10 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain project aims, methods and current outcomes	LO4, LO5
2	Engage an audience	LO5
3	Prepare slides and supporting material for a presentation	LO5
4	Structure a presentation of pre-defined length	LO5
5	Plan and manage an engineering project	LO4
6	Convey a command of the subject matter	LO4, LO5

How your final result is determined

To pass this unit, you need to demonstrate your attainment of each of the Intended Learning Outcomes, achieve a final unit grade of 50% or greater, and pass any hurdle tasks.

The Reflective Diary is the only assessment task that assessed ILO6. You must pass this task to pass the unit. ILO 6 is deemed to be attained by a mark of 50% on the Reflective Diary assessment task. If not met, one resubmission will be permitted but the final unit result will be computed using the original mark. Attainment of all other ILOs is explicitly assessed in parallel with, but separately from, awarding marks and grades on the Draft Thesis assessment task.

Academic progress review

The results for this unit may be included in a review of your academic progress. For information about progress reviews and what they mean for all students, see Academic Progress Review in the Student Portal.

Submission of assignments

Where practicable, assignments should be submitted to an assignment submission folder in MYLO. You must submit assignments by the due date or receive a penalty (unless an extension of time has been approved by the Unit Coordinator). Students submitting any assignment in hard copy, or because of a practicum finalisation, must attach a student cover sheet and signed declaration for the submission to be accepted for marking.

Academic integrity

Academic integrity is about acting responsibly, honestly, ethically, and collegially when using, producing, and communicating information with other students and staff members.

In written work, you must correctly reference the work of others to maintain academic integrity. To find out the referencing style for this unit, see the assessment information in the MyLO site, or contact your teaching staff. For more detail about Academic Integrity, see Important Guidelines & Support.

Requests for extensions

If you are unable to submit an assessment task by the due date, you should apply for an extension.

A request for an extension should first be discussed with your Unit Coordinator or teaching support team where possible. A request for an extension must be submitted by the assessment due date, except where you can provide evidence it was not possible to do so. Typically, an application for an extension will be supported by documentary evidence: however, where it is not possible for you to provide evidence please contact your Unit Coordinator.

The Unit Coordinator must notify you of the outcome of an extension request within 3 working days of receiving the request.

Late penalties

Assignments submitted after the deadline will receive a late penalty of 5% of the original available mark for each calendar day (or part day) that the assignment is late. Late submissions will not be accepted more than 10 calendar days after the due date, or after assignments have been returned to other students on a scheduled date, whichever occurs first. Further information on Late Penalties can be found on the Assessments and Results Procedure.

Required Resources

Required reading materials

Required reading is project-dependent and some may be provided by your supervisor. You will be expected to search databases and journals to find other more targeted relevant reading specific to your topic.