Chemical Engineering Research Project

This subject is not offered in 2014.

Estimated 400 hours

Students must have completed BOTH the following subjects prior to enrolling in this subject:

CHEN30001 Reactor Engineering (Prior to 2010 CHEN40003 Reactor Engineering)

CHEN30005 Heat and Mass Transport Processes

and ONE OF the following subjects

BTCH90006 Bioprocess Engineering

CHEN90031 Bioprocess Engineering (prior to 2012 CHEN30014 Bioprocess Engineering)

None

None

Credit will not be given for this subject and the following subjects:

BIEN90001 Biomolecular Engineering Research Project

CHEN90026 Chemical Engineering Minor Research Project

CHEN40008 Research Project

BIEN40001 Biomolecular Engineering Research Project

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/

AIMS

Students will undertake as individuals or as a member of a team a designated investigative project which could involve a critical literature review, experimental research and/or development, theoretical modelling, process simulation and/or the solution of an industrial problem. Rigorous planning and scheduling of the project, time management, written and verbal technical communication, interpretation of results and team work will be required. Lectures will be presented on laboratory safety, and the use of statistical methods for experimental data analysis.

Engineering graduates need the ability to research toipcs and to perform structured investigations. This research project subject provides students with an opportunity to develop these skills and to develop an appreciation of the importance of life long learning.

INDICATIVE CONTENT

The exact content covered in the subject will depend to some extent on the nature of the research project. Topics covered will most probably include literature searches, laboratory safety, risk assessment, data modelling, data analysis, error analysis and report writing.

This subject has been integrated with the Skills Towards Employment Program (STEP) and contains activities that can assist in the completion of the Engineering Practics Hurdle (EPH).

INTENDED LEARNING OUTCOMES (ILO)

On completion of this subject the student is expected to:

• Plan and conduct an independent research project in the chemical engineering field
• Communicate their research results orally to an audience of their peers
• Analyse experimental data using appropriate statistical methods
• Present a detailed written report

• A written report of up to 35 pages, not including appendices, diagrams, tables, computations and computer output (50%)
• A 30 minute oral presentation supported either by powerpoint slides or a poster (25%)
• Assessment of the quality of the student's research work (25%)
• Students participating in the Endeavour program submit their poster and complete their oral presentation towards the end of semester and their written report is submitted during the exam period. Students not participating in the Endeavour program submit their written report towards the end of semester and complete their oral presentation during the exam period.

Intended Learning Outcome (ILO) 1 will be assessed through the student's performance in research workspace.

ILOs 2 to 4 will be assessed through the student's presentation and written report.

None

This subject is not available as a breadth subject.

• Ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals
• Ability to communicate effectively, not only with engineers but also with the community at large
• In-depth technical competence in at least one engineering discipline
• Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution
• 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
• Capacity for independent critical thought, rational inquiry and self-directed learning
• Intellectual curiosity and creativity, including understanding of the philosophical and methodological bases of research activity
• Profound respect for truth and intellectual integrity, and for the ethics of scholarship

LEARNING AND TEACHING METHODS

Students will receive one-on-one instruction on how to complete an open-ended research project on some topic in chemical engineering. They will undertake a project either individually or as part of a team of two or three students. Students will take responsibility for their time management setting priorities and establishing a program that will allow them complete their project within the time allowed.

INDICATIVE KEY LEARNING RESOURCES

Students will be guided throughout their project by one or two researchers associated with the research activity that they have been assigned to. These researches will be their guides and mentors on the project. Students will also be provided with access to key relevant research papers. They will be expected to identify further material which they will be able to access through the University Library system. Students will also have access to appropriate software packages.

CAREERS / INDUSTRY LINKS

Many of the projects that will usually be available to the students will relate to some problem or activity found in the process industries.