IE Research Project 2

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

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This is a Capstone subject and may only be taken in the final two semesters of study

When undertaking this subject students can not gain credit for the following subjects:

For the purposes of considering request for Reasonable Adjustments under the Disability Standards for Education (Cwth 2005), and Students Experiencing Academic Disadvantage Policy, academic requirements for this subject are articulated in the Subject Description, Subject Objectives, Generic Skills and Assessment Requirements of this entry. The University is dedicated to provide support to those with special requirements. Further details on the disability support scheme can be found at the Disability Liaison Unit website: http://www.services.unimelb.edu.au/disability/

This subject provides the capstone experience for students in Infrastructure Engineering. Students will combine their expertise in interdisciplinary groups to address real-world problems, typically in contact with industry

Project topics will be advertised well in advance of commencement of the subject so that students can make an informed choice of topic and enrol early. Students must register their topic, group and supervisor before the subject commences

The first five-weeks address research training and comprise weekly structured two-hour impulse workshops with group homework on topics such as project development, literature review, methodology development, presentations and scientific writing. Students will practise this output through their project topics with supevisors providing feedback on the results

Students then continue the project within their groups and with regular progress meetings with their supervisor for the remainder of semester. The project culminates with students presenting their project and findings on a poster at a student expo and also in written form in the style of a conference paper

Students with an average score of H1 in the previous 100 points of study and an interest in a PhD have the opportunity to undertake an individual research project

On completion of this subject students should be able to:

• Search, analyse and document engineering science and other literature in order to determine the need for further research in a chosen area
• Synthesize an hypothesis to be tested
• Devise a methodology of investigation to test the hypothesis
• Collect and analyse a range of data (qualitative and/or quantitative) and/or undertake computer modelling and simulation to implement the methodology
• Write project reports which follow good engineering science practice
• Present a poster of the findings of an investigation

• Workshops require a deliverable (by each group) equivalent to 1000 words, due the following week. These deliverables will be marked Pass/Fail only. Passing all deliverables is a hurdle requirement to pass the subject
• By mid-project each group must submit a report, compiled from the workshop results and feedback received (2000 words, 20%). Passing is a hurdle requirement
• The project culminates in a poster presentation (Poster 15%, Presentation 15%) and a final report in the style of a conference paper (15 pages, 30%). The group marks of each component willl be broken down into individual marks by a peer assessment. Students will also submit their individual progress reports and minutes of supervisor meetings with their final report (10%)
• Each student must present their project contribution in their e-portfolio for Engineering Practice (10%)

Further Hurdle Requirements: The following must be satisfied in order to pass the subject:

• Students must register for a project topic prior to Day 1 of first semester of study
• Attendance at a minimum of 70% of the Departmental research seminar in the project period, submission of an individual reflective diary will be evidence of attendance which will be marked Pass/Fail
• A Pass mark for the Mid-project report

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This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline
• Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution
• Ability to communicate effectively, with the engineering team and with the community at large
• Ability to manage information and documentation
• Capacity for creativity and innovation
• Understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities, and commitment to them