Major Project & Professional Practice

This subject is not offered in 2009.

Design and Processes 1 and 2, or equivalent (prior to 2005, 436-356 Design/Control 2 or 436-371 Mechatronics Design Laboratory 4, and 436-363 Manufacturing Studies 2), and successful completion of at least 37.5 points of level 3 computer science subjects.

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Student Support and Engagement Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Overview, Learning Outcomes, Assessment and Generic Skills sections of this entry.

It is University policy to take all reasonable steps to minimise the impact of disability upon academic study, and reasonable adjustments will be made to enhance a student's participation in the University's programs. Students who feel their disability may impact on meeting the requirements of this subject are encouraged to discuss this matter with a Faculty Student Adviser and Student Equity and Disability Support: http://services.unimelb.edu.au/disability

Unit 1: Major Project: This unit involves undertaking a major project, requiring an independent investigation and the preparation of reports on an approved topic in advanced engineering design or research. Students will present their findings at a conference held towards the end of the project cycle.

The emphasis of the project can be associated with either a well defined project description, often based on a task required by an external industrial client or a project description that will require an explorative approach, where students will pursue outcomes associated with new knowledge or understanding, in areas of computer science relevant to mechatronics

Unit 2: Professional Practice: Upon completion of this unit, students should have developed an appreciation of the role of technology in society, the responsibilities of engineers with respect to their fellow workers, society and the environment. Topics covered include: research methodologies: reviewing literature, preparing and executing a research program, peer review of findings, academic research case studies. Design processes: conceptual design, intergration of design and manufacturing: quality assessment, project management, concurrent engineering. Engineering profession: historical, sociological and environmental factors in invention and innovation, technology forecasting, patenting, professional ethics, statutory requirements and legal responsibilities, environmental considerations and human relations.

Unit 1: Major Project (85% of overall mark): a project report (Final Report) of no more than 10 000 words with no more than 40 pages of supporting material in the way of appendices, diagrams, tables, computations and computer output (40%); a summary of the important findings contained in the Final Report (10%); one professional presentation, reporting the outcomes of the major project (10%); continuous assessment, identifying effort, progess and contributions over the entire project cycle (25%).

Unit 2: Professional Practice (15% of overall mark): one assignment based on lecture material not exceeding 1000 words (10%); other assignment work (for example, debate participation - 5%).

All components of assessment must be satisfactorily completed to pass the subject.

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students should:

• have the ability to function effectively as an individual and in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams, with the capacity to be a leader or manager as well as an effective team member;
• be able to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution;
• have a capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning; and
• have a profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of scholarship.

This subject may only be taken by students enrolled in the BE/BCS (Mechatronics) degree program.