Capstone Project

This subject has the following teaching availabilities in 2012:

One of the following two sets of subjects -

MCEN90012 Design & Manufacturing 1 May be taken concurrently - (Prior to 2011 MCEN30009 Engineering Design & Processes 1)

MCEN90013 Design & Manufacturing 2 - May be taken concurrently - (Prior to 2011 MCEN30001 Engineering Design & Processes 2).

OR

MCEN90024 Mechatronics Design (may be taken concurrently)

MCEN90011 Manufacturing Systems (may be taken concurrently)

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/

The subject involves undertaking a substantial, semester long project requiring an independent investigation on an approved topic in advanced engineering design or research. Students will present their findings in a conference podium presentation format, held at the end of semester two.

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. Students will be tutored in the synthesis of practical solutions to complex technical problems within a structured working environment, as if they were professional engineering practitioners; or
• A project description that will require an explorative approach, where students will pursue outcomes associated with new knowledge or understanding, within the mechanical science disciplines, often as an adjunct to existing academic research initiatives.

It is expected that the Capstone Project will incorporate findings associated with both well-defined professional practice and research principles.

On completion of this subject students should be able to apply the knowledge gained in other subjects to successfully investigate a substantially complex engineering design or research problem and have gained experience in collaborative project work, sourcing and collating information that may be associated with disciplines beyond the scope of prior coursework, in developing hypotheses from which engineering decisions will be made, and in reporting contributions arising from project and professional practice activities.

• Continuous assessment (20%) -
Identifies effort, progress and contributions over the entire project cycle. Two progress reports outlining progress relative to the Scope of Works document completed at the outset of the project (10% each). Due in weeks 5 and 9 of Sem 1 or Sem 2; for year long students, due at the end of sem 1 and the beginning of sem 2.

• Final Report (45%) - The Final Report will be a professional document reporting the findings and contributions of the project team, of no more than 10,000 words, including an extended Executive Summary of the important findings contained in the report. The Final Report is due in the last week of semester; or for year long students, at the end of the semester 2.

• Verbal defence (25%) - Equivalent tasks irrespective of year long, semester one or semester two students.

• Professional Practice (10%) - Professional practice tasks: continuing assessment and submission at end of semester one or two.

TBA

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

On completion of this subject students should have the following skills -
• Critical thinking and critical judgement of assumptions adopted
• Interpretation and analysis of data
• Application of theory to practice
• Ability to communicate effectively, not only with engineers but also with the community at large
• Ability to utilise a systems approach to design and operational performance
• 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
• Understanding of the social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities of the professional engineer, and the need for sustainable development
• Understanding of the principles of sustainable design and development
• Understanding of professional and ethical responsibilities and commitment to them
• Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning
• Openness to new ideas and unconventional critiques of received wisdom
• Ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals
• Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution