Unit Outline

This unit introduces students to the engineering design process, focusing on problem identification, brainstorming, conceptual design, prototyping, and communication. The unit consists of 2 key modules: Engineering Design Process, and Communication Skills. Students will learn to consider the environmental and societal impacts of engineering solutions, adopting sustainable practices that align with circular economy principles and life-centered design.

In the Sustainable Practices module, students will explore the principles of circular design to minimise waste and optimise resource use. The Communication Skills and Presentation Skills modules will develop students' abilities to convey technical information to diverse audiences effectively.

Additionally, students will continue to engage in the Vertically Integrated Projects (VIP), where they will apply their learning in collaborative, multi-cohort project environments. VIP runs from year 1 to year 3 in both semesters and involves students working in teams across year levels and specialisations to contribute to real-world design and research challenges related to Climate Safe Engineering. These project experiences will enable students to develop the professional skills necessary for engineering while integrating their technical knowledge.

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	Describe the engineering design process to support development of an engineering solution.
2	Apply the engineering design process to a real world problem following the principles of a life-centred design approach.
3	Describe the principles of circular design to minimize waste and optimise resource use.
4	Present engineering solutions to technical and non-technical audiences.
5	Participate in a multidisciplinary project using problem-solving and apply knowledge of design principles to develop engineering solutions.

Alterations as a result of student feedback

N/A - first time the unit has run

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:	Engineering Design Project	Week 6	35 %	LO1, LO2
Assessment Task 2:	Circular Design Case study	Week 10	15 %	LO2, LO3
Assessment Task 3:	VIP Notebook and Peer Evaluations	Week 12	35 %	LO2, LO3, LO5
Assessment Task 4:	VIP team presentation	Week 13	15 %	LO4

Assessment details

Assessment Task 1: Engineering Design Project

Task Description:

To develop understanding of engineering design, students will engage in a short-term (5 week) team project. For assessment students will prepare a 12 page design report detailing the design, and outlining the products from the main stages of the design process.

Peer evaluation within the team will be part of this assessment.

Generative AI use is permitted but must be acknowledged.

Task Length:

12 pages

Due Date:

Week 6

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Explain the engineering design process.	LO1
2	Document the main phases for an engineering design project	LO1
3	Implement the principles of life-centered design and their applications in sustainable engineering	LO2
4	Justify a preferred concept design from a range of possible solutions.	LO2
5	Communicate an engineering design through a written report	LO2

Assessment Task 2: Circular Design Case study

Task Description:

Students will be provided with a case study where multiple design solutions are provided and they need to evaluate which achieves circular design objectives. Written communication skills suitable for an engineer at a university level will be assessed through this task, with additional support modules required to be completed for students who do not meet the defined minimum standard. This assessment task prepares students to think about circular design thinking within their VIP team, and to apply this skill in future specialisation design projects.
Generative AI use is permitted but must be acknowledged.

Task Length:

5 pages

Due Date:

Week 10

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Strategise applications of circular design	LO3
2	Develop a clearly defined problem statement in consultation with relevant stakeholders	LO2
3	Compare competing engineering design solutions in terms of their capability to minimise waste an optimize resource use	LO3
4	Communicate an engineering design through a written report	LO3

Assessment Task 3: VIP Notebook and Peer Evaluations

Task Description:

Throughout the vertically integrated projects and core units students will maintain a notebook aligned with their experiences. This will report on what they have done and contributed to the project, their reflections on project experiences and identification of links between their learning and experiences with EA competencies, assessment criteria and learning outcomes. Key capabilities evidenced in the notebook will include development of teamwork skills, self-management, design skills and writing. Peer evaluations of contributions to VIP will be completed mid- and end-of semester as part of this task involving students providing constructive critical feedback to their peers for future development via an online proforma. Peer evaluations of contributions to VIP will also be reflected within the notebook, including any key actions the student has chosen to take for development following peer evaluations. The notebook will become a key artifact with evidence of student contributions to projects and their own personal and professional development throughout this core stream of the course. VIP notebooks will be submitted and the first four weeks graded at the end of week 4. The remaining weeks 5-12 will be graded upon submission at the end of week 12. This second semester of the VIP will build on the first semester unit with students developing skills in documenting their contributions. Additionally in this semester the VIP notebook should build on the life-centered design team project and circular design case study assessment tasks to include student understanding of life-centered design and circular design and how this relates to the project. The VIP notebook will continue into the second and third year units.

Generative AI use is permitted in completing the VIP notebook but must be acknowledged.

Task Length:

Due Date:

Week 12

Weight:

35 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Implement the principles of life-centered design and their applications in sustainable engineering	LO2
2	Strategise applications of circular design	LO3
3	Identify opportunities within your VIP for circularity	LO3
4	Function as a team member to deliver engineering project requirements	LO5
5	Reflect on own performance in reaching both personal and team goals	LO5
6	Document and communicate contribution towards a team project	LO5
7	Maintain and support an environment of psychological safety	LO5

Assessment Task 4: VIP team presentation

Task Description:

Following on from the communication skills module, students will apply their developed skills to present on behalf of their VIP team their project progress throughout the year two diverse audiences.
This task requires two different presentations to be delivered.
1. A 2 minute video presentation designed to promote your VIP to future students
2. A 5 minute live presentation to project stakeholders.

You will also be required to perform peer evaluation of at least two other presentations.

This task prepares you for future presentations throughout your degree including final year honours presentations.
Generative AI use is permitted but must be acknowledged.

Task Length:

2-5 minutes

Due Date:

Week 13

Weight:

15 %

CRITERION #

CRITERION

MEASURES INTENDED

LEARNING OUTCOME(S)


1	Communicate the progress of your teams VIP effectively to diverse audiences	LO4
2	Constructively critique presentations of peers to assess how information is tailored to different audiences	LO4
3	Communicate using features such as voice, body language and gesture, and audience engagement	LO4
4	Use of supporting materials—including visual aids, and audiovisual elements—to enhance clarity, and engagement	LO4

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.

To pass ILO1 you must demonstrate a pass grade all criteria associated with that ILO in Engineering Design Project. If you have not passed the required criteria, we may offer an ILO supplementary assessment opportunity to demonstrate achievement.

To pass ILO2 your aggregate mark on the components of Circular Design case study and VIP Notebook and Peer Evaluations assessing ILO2 weighted according to their contribution to the final mark, must be greater than or equal to 50%.

To pass ILO3 you must receive a mark of greater than or equal to 50% of the available marks for the components assessing ILO3 on either Circular Design Case Study or VIP Notebook and Peer Evaluations.

To pass ILO4 you must demonstrate a pass grade on all criteria associated with that ILO. If you have not passed the required criteria, we may offer an ILO supplementary assessment opportunity to demonstrate achievement.

To pass ILO5 you must demonstrate a pass grade on all criteria associated with that ILO. If you have not passed the required criteria, we may offer an ILO supplementary assessment opportunity to demonstrate achievement.

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.