Overview
In this unit you will be introduced to some of the key professional and technical areas of contemporary engineering. You will learn about the levels of practice within the engineering profession and the corresponding graduate capabilities developed by our courses. You will be introduced to support services that assist in your learning as well as various study, time management and team work techniques to assist in your transition to higher education. Understanding the importance of developing information literacy, respecting academic integrity and using new technologies such as AI to your advantage, will equip you to successfully complete future units. For the majority of the term, in this double-weighted unit, you will develop your knowledge of key professional and technical skills whilst working on an engineering project. As a team, you will work towards preparing a technical report that professionally communicates the full engineering problem solving process. This will culminate in the delivery of a presentation to your peers. As an individual, you will be assessed on your contribution to the team project as well as being asked to demonstrate your understanding of the weekly topics. Topics are intended to introduce you to key professional and technical skills. Technical proficiencies include coding, sketching, visualisation, and computer-aided drafting. Whilst professionally you will enhance your knowledge of engineering values, including sustainable and ethical development, effective communication, and working with innovation, risks, people, and complex projects. Successful completion of this unit will prepare you for the following project-based learning units.
Details
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
There are no requisites for this unit.
Important note: Students enrolled in a subsequent unit who failed their pre-requisite unit, should drop the subsequent unit before the census date or within 10 working days of Fail grade notification. Students who do not drop the unit in this timeframe cannot later drop the unit without academic and financial liability. See details in the Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework).
Offerings For Term 1 - 2025
Attendance Requirements
All on-campus students are expected to attend scheduled classes - in some units, these classes are identified as a mandatory (pass/fail) component and attendance is compulsory. International students, on a student visa, must maintain a full time study load and meet both attendance and academic progress requirements in each study period (satisfactory attendance for International students is defined as maintaining at least an 80% attendance record).
Recommended Student Time Commitment
Each 12-credit Undergraduate unit at CQUniversity requires an overall time commitment of an average of 25 hours of study per week, making a total of 300 hours for the unit.
Class Timetable
Assessment Overview
Assessment Grading
This is a graded unit: your overall grade will be calculated from the marks or grades for each assessment task, based on the relative weightings shown in the table above. You must obtain an overall mark for the unit of at least 50%, or an overall grade of 'pass' in order to pass the unit. If any 'pass/fail' tasks are shown in the table above they must also be completed successfully ('pass' grade). You must also meet any minimum mark requirements specified for a particular assessment task, as detailed in the 'assessment task' section (note that in some instances, the minimum mark for a task may be greater than 50%). Consult the University's Grades and Results Policy for more details of interim results and final grades.
All University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
You may wish to view these policies:
- Grades and Results Policy
- Assessment Policy and Procedure (Higher Education Coursework)
- Review of Grade Procedure
- Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - Domestic Students
- Monitoring Academic Progress (MAP) Policy and Procedure - International Students
- Student Refund and Credit Balance Policy and Procedure
- Student Feedback - Compliments and Complaints Policy and Procedure
- Information and Communications Technology Acceptable Use Policy and Procedure
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of University policies are available on the CQUniversity Policy site.
Feedback, Recommendations and Responses
Every unit is reviewed for enhancement each year. At the most recent review, the following staff and student feedback items were identified and recommendations were made.
Feedback from SUTE Data
More detail is needed for assignment expectations. A past exemplar will be useful.
Detailed instructions should specify the requirements for each section of the assignment items, including an exemplar where appropriate.
Feedback from SUTE Data
Students reported inconsistencies in tutorial guidance, with conflicting instructor directions causing confusion and impacting their ability to complete assignments effectively.
A more structured approach should be adopted in tutorials to minimise conflicting directions and improve clarity.
Feedback from SUTE Data
Improvement needed in Standard Australia portal access instruction.
A more detailed instruction should be provided to address portal access issues to ensure a seamless learning experience for students.
- Reflect on the individual skills, knowledge, and support services that promote effective study at the university
- Apply coding skills to investigate alternate solutions for an engineering project
- Produce freehand sketches and computer-aided drawings that follow Australian Standards
- Develop and apply skills, knowledge, and values aligned with contemporary engineering, including ethical and sustainable practice
- Formulate evidence-based opinions by locating, evaluating, and synthesising information from reputable sources
- Provide evidence in individual and team-based scenarios of a professional capacity to work, learn, and communicate effectively in oral and written domains.
| The Learning Outcomes for this unit are linked with the Engineers Australia Stage 1 Competency Standards for Professional Engineers in the areas of 1. Knowledge and Skill Base, 2. Engineering Application Ability and 3. Professional and Personal Attributes at the following levels: |
| Introductory |
| 1.1 Comprehensive, theory-based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline. (LO: 4N 5N) |
| 1.2 Conceptual understanding of the mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline. (LO: 4N 5N) |
| 1.3 In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline. (LO: 2N 3N 4N 5N) |
| 1.4 Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline. (LO: 4N 5N) |
| 1.5 Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline. (LO: 2N 4N 5N) |
| 1.6 Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities, and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific discipline. (LO: 4N 5N) |
| 2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem-solving. (LO: 2N 3N 4N 5N) |
| 2.2 Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools, and resources. (LO: 2N 3N 4N 5N) |
| 2.3 Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes. (LO: 3N 4N 5N) |
| 2.4 Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects. (LO: 4N 5N) |
| 3.1 Ethical conduct and professional accountability. (LO: 2N 3N 4N 5N 6N) |
| 3.2 Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains. (LO: 1N 2N 3N 4N 5N 6N) |
| 3.4 Professional use and management of information. (LO: 1N 2N 3N 4N 5N) |
| 3.5 Orderly management of self, and professional conduct. (LO: 1N 4N 6N) |
| 3.6 Effective team membership and team leadership. (LO: 4N 6N) |
| Note: LO refers to the Learning Outcome number(s) which link to the competency and the levels: N – Introductory, I – Intermediate, and A - Advanced. |
| Refer to the Engineering Undergraduate Course Moodle site for further information on Engineers Australia's Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineers and course-level mapping information https://moodle.cqu.edu.au/course/view.php?id=1511 |
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1 - Reflective Practice Assignment - 15% | ||||||
| 2 - Written Assessment - 20% | ||||||
| 3 - Group Work - 30% | ||||||
| 4 - Written Assessment - 35% | ||||||
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | |
| 1 - Communication | ||||||
| 2 - Problem Solving | ||||||
| 3 - Critical Thinking | ||||||
| 4 - Information Literacy | ||||||
| 5 - Team Work | ||||||
| 6 - Information Technology Competence | ||||||
| 7 - Cross Cultural Competence | ||||||
| 8 - Ethical practice | ||||||
| 9 - Social Innovation | ||||||
| 10 - Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Cultures | ||||||
Textbooks
Engineering Your Future - An Australasian Guide
Edition: 5th (2024)
Authors: David Dowling, Roger Hadgraft, Anna Carew, Tim McCarthy, Doug Hargreaves, Caroline Baillie, Sally Male
Wiley
Milton Milton , Qld , Australia
ISBN: 9781394267224
Binding: eBook
Additional Textbook Information
Students can access the full text electronically through the following link from CQUni Library: https://cqu.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/permalink/61CQU_INST/a7uumo/alma991002068974203441
IT Resources
- CQUniversity Student Email
- Internet
- Unit Website (Moodle)
All submissions for this unit must use the referencing style: Harvard (author-date)
For further information, see the Assessment Tasks.
c.skipper@cqu.edu.au
Module/Topic
Lecture: Introduction to Contemporary Engineering
- What is Engineering?
- Introduction to Moodle
- Introduction to Engineers Australia and the Graduate Competency Standards
- The Engineers Australia Code of Ethics
- What is reflective writing.
Chapter
Chapter 1 - What is engineering (All sections)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Commence Assessment 1 (Reflective Paper)
Module/Topic
Lecture: Management of learning, time, task and team
- Learning dispositions and strategies
- Setting goals
- Time and task prioritisation
- Team management strategies
Chapter
Chapter 5 – Self-management (Sections 5.1, 5.2, & 5.4 ) & Chapter 6 – Working with people (Sections 6.1, 6.2, 6.4 & 6.5)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Lecture: Information literacy, Academic Integrity and Australian Standards
- Sourcing, evaluating and utilising information
- Maintaining academic integrity
- Advantages and pitfalls of using AI
- Australian Standards and their value.
Chapter
Resources provided on Moodle, ALC and Library
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Lecture - Coding essentials and use cases
- Coding essentials using Excel
- Algorithms
- Flowcharts
Chapter
Resources provided on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Review and Commence Assessment 2 (Workbook 1 : Coding application)
Review and Commence Assessment 3 (Team Project Report and Presentation)
Reflective Paper: Developing skills to become a reflective practitioner Due: Week 4 Friday (4 Apr 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Lecture: Professional communication
- Introduction to writing a technical report
- Key documents that assist communication when working in a team
Introduction to technical tasks required for team report
Chapter
Chapter 5 – Self-management (5.5 )
Chapter 7 - Understanding communication (All sections), Chapter 8 - Communication skills (All sections) and Chapter 14 Communicating information (Sections 14.1, 14.2 & 14.3)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
No lectures this week. take this time to catch up or look ahead on your studies.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Lecture: Sustainability, ethics and social innovation
- Understanding environmental sustainability
- Understanding economic sustainability
- Understanding social sustainability and social innovation
Chapter
Chapter 3 - Sustainable engineering (All sections) & Chapter 4 - Professional responsibility and ethics (All sections)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Workbook 1: Coding Application Due: Week 6 Friday (25 Apr 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Module/Topic
Lecture: The engineering method
- What is the engineering method
- Using a weighted criterion and developing frameworks for qualitative assessment
- Writing a methodology
Chapter
Chapter 2 - The engineering method (Sections 2.1 & 2.2) & Chapter 12 - Engineering decision making (Sections 12.3 & 12.4)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Review and Commence Assessment 4 ( Workbook 2: Evidence of Individual Learning)
Module/Topic
Lecture: Engineering drawing and Indigenous engagement in engineering
- Introduction to sketching and drawing techniques
- 2D and 3D drawing conventions including AutoCAD
- AS1100 drawing standards
Indigenous engagement in engineering
Chapter
Resources listed on Moodle
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Lecture: Risk assessment and management
- Understanding risk assessment and management processes
- Applying risk management to your project
Chapter
Chapter 13 - Managing engineering projects (Section 13.3)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Lecture: Presenting results and conclusions. Giving presentations
- Writing and presenting results effectively
- Writing conclusions and making recommendations
- How to present well
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Guest Lecture: Summary of learning and real world applications
- Case studies
- Assessment Q and A
All students are highly encouraged to attend to provide a good audience for our guest.
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Lecture: Review of unit, workbook walkthrough and continued professional development.
Chapter
Chapter 15 - Your engineering career (All sections)
Events and Submissions/Topic
Team Project Presentation
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
Module/Topic
Chapter
Events and Submissions/Topic
1 Reflective Practice Assignment
Individually prepare a Reflective Paper by studying the topics and resources provided for this assignment on Moodle. You will need to become familiar with the Reflective Writing Guide to ensure your paper articulates reflective thoughts rather than just restating information from the resources provided. There is no strict word limit, either minimum or maximum, but you should be able to prepare approximately one page for each topic. Prepare your paper by writing succinctly.
Week 4 Friday (4 Apr 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 6 Friday (25 Apr 2025)
It is expected that the assessment item will be returned within 2 weeks of the due date
Moodle contains a marking rubric that includes indicators of attainment at the ‘Sound’, ‘Good’ and ‘Excellent’ levels for each element of the assessment.
- Reflect on the individual skills, knowledge, and support services that promote effective study at the university
2 Written Assessment
You will be provided with a problem statement, certain inputs and assumptions. You will need to use the provided information in addition to locating your own data to develop a coding application that will generate the required outputs of the problem statement. This will allow you to demonstrate generic coding techniques in MS Excel as well as creating solutions to problems. You will present the process you undertook as both a written algorithm and flow chart. The problem statement will be related to the technical analysis required for your team report. Each team member should choose a different problem statement.
Week 6 Friday (25 Apr 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Week 8 Friday (9 May 2025)
It is expected that the assessment item will be returned in 2 weeks after the due date
Moodle contains a marking rubric that includes indicators of attainment at the ‘Sound’, ‘Good’ and ‘Excellent’ levels for each element of the assessment.
- Apply coding skills to investigate alternate solutions for an engineering project
3 Group Work
In your project team, prepare a Technical Report using the Microsoft Word Report Template provided on Moodle. Resources for this assignment are provided on Moodle, in lectures and workshops. You will need to seek feedback from your lecturer at the draft stage of your report. There is no strict word limit, either minimum or maximum. Your team should aim to prepare a report which adequately explains the decision-making processes, designs and results of your project. Write succinctly and avoid padding your report with discussions that are unnecessary.
Week 11 Friday (30 May 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Review/Exam Week Friday (13 June 2025)
It is expected that the assessment item will be returned in 2 weeks after the due date
Moodle contains a marking rubric that includes indicators of attainment at the ‘Sound’, ‘Good’ and ‘Excellent’ levels for each element of the assessment.
- Produce freehand sketches and computer-aided drawings that follow Australian Standards
- Develop and apply skills, knowledge, and values aligned with contemporary engineering, including ethical and sustainable practice
- Formulate evidence-based opinions by locating, evaluating, and synthesising information from reputable sources
- Provide evidence in individual and team-based scenarios of a professional capacity to work, learn, and communicate effectively in oral and written domains.
4 Written Assessment
Prepare this workbook individually as evidence of your achievements while simultaneously working on your team's project. You should include activities related to visualisation, engineering drawings, and CAD. This will give you a chance to showcase your specific skills.
Review/Exam Week Tuesday (10 June 2025) 11:45 pm AEST
Exam Week Friday (20 June 2025)
The assessment will be returned and available when grades are certified.
Moodle contains a marking rubric that includes indicators of attainment at the ‘Sound’, ‘Good’ and ‘Excellent’ levels for each element of the assessment.
- Produce freehand sketches and computer-aided drawings that follow Australian Standards
- Develop and apply skills, knowledge, and values aligned with contemporary engineering, including ethical and sustainable practice
- Formulate evidence-based opinions by locating, evaluating, and synthesising information from reputable sources
- Provide evidence in individual and team-based scenarios of a professional capacity to work, learn, and communicate effectively in oral and written domains.
As a CQUniversity student you are expected to act honestly in all aspects of your academic work.
Any assessable work undertaken or submitted for review or assessment must be your own work. Assessable work is any type of work you do to meet the assessment requirements in the unit, including draft work submitted for review and feedback and final work to be assessed.
When you use the ideas, words or data of others in your assessment, you must thoroughly and clearly acknowledge the source of this information by using the correct referencing style for your unit. Using others’ work without proper acknowledgement may be considered a form of intellectual dishonesty.
Participating honestly, respectfully, responsibly, and fairly in your university study ensures the CQUniversity qualification you earn will be valued as a true indication of your individual academic achievement and will continue to receive the respect and recognition it deserves.
As a student, you are responsible for reading and following CQUniversity’s policies, including the Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure. This policy sets out CQUniversity’s expectations of you to act with integrity, examples of academic integrity breaches to avoid, the processes used to address alleged breaches of academic integrity, and potential penalties.
What is a breach of academic integrity?
A breach of academic integrity includes but is not limited to plagiarism, self-plagiarism, collusion, cheating, contract cheating, and academic misconduct. The Student Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure defines what these terms mean and gives examples.
Why is academic integrity important?
A breach of academic integrity may result in one or more penalties, including suspension or even expulsion from the University. It can also have negative implications for student visas and future enrolment at CQUniversity or elsewhere. Students who engage in contract cheating also risk being blackmailed by contract cheating services.
Where can I get assistance?
For academic advice and guidance, the Academic Learning Centre (ALC) can support you in becoming confident in completing assessments with integrity and of high standard.
What can you do to act with integrity?
