Unit Synopsis
This project-based learning unit examines the behaviour of mechanical systems. You will apply knowledge of engineering science and mathematics to model, simulate and analyse mechanical systems and consider the nature of engineering assumptions and the effects of uncertainty on analysis and modelling. You will apply control and vibration theory, design and analyse linear and non-linear mathematical models and use simulation software to predict the behaviour of mechanical systems. You will be expected to apply the modelling and analysis of mechanical systems to industrial problems and contexts. You will have opportunities to work individually and in teams to complete projects and to develop interpersonal and technical communication skills. You will prepare professional documentation of problem solutions and project reports.
Details
| Level | Postgraduate |
|---|---|
| Unit Level | 8 |
| Credit Points | 12 |
| Student Contribution Band | SCA Band 2 |
| Fraction of Full-Time Student Load | 0.25 |
| Pre-requisites or Co-requisites |
There are no pre-requisites for the 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). |
| Class Timetable | View Unit Timetable |
| Residential School |
Compulsory Residential School View Unit Residential School |
Unit Availabilities from Term 1 - 2026
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 Postgraduate 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.
Assessment Tasks
| Assessment Task | Weighting |
|---|---|
| 1. Project (applied) | 25% |
| 2. Project (applied) | 20% |
| 3. Laboratory/Practical | 25% |
| 4. Portfolio | 30% |
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%).
Past Exams
All University policies are available on the Policy web site, however you may wish to directly view the following policies below.
This list is not an exhaustive list of all University policies. The full list of policies are available on the Policy web site .
Term 1 - 2020 : The overall satisfaction for students in the last offering of this course was 100.00% (`Agree` and `Strongly Agree` responses), based on a 100% response rate.
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.
Source: Teaching team
Students turning up late for laboratory sessions are not allowed into the session.
Remind students that they will not be allowed into a laboratory session if late, and they will receive a zero grade for the laboratory.
Students were reminded of the lab class schedule beforehand.
Source: Student 'Have your say' survey
Students would like to have more guidance during the projects.
Will direct local lecturer/tutors to introduce the projects to students in more detail. Students will be requested to show their work on the projects every week in the tutorials so they can receive weekly feedback and guidance.
Students were guided through the marking criteria thoroughly so that they understood what was to be presented in the project reports.
Source: Student 'Have your say' survey
Moodle site videos and resources are helpful.
Continue to review and update the videos and other resources such as the CQU library ebook list.
Resources are reviewed.
Source: Have Your Say
In my opinion, there should be a laboratory session on MATLAB and SIMULINK because it is very hard to work on the project whilst learning the software at the same time.
Help files on learning MATLAB and SIMULINK should be added to the Moodle site.
In Progress
Source: Student Email
Experimental laboratory sessions should be demonstrated in person, not via videos.
Videos were used due to unprecedented pandemic issues. Once the situation becomes normal, face to face experimental laboratory sessions will resume.
In Progress
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Design mathematical models that analyse and evaluate complex mechanical systems
- Explain and apply control theory and control system approaches to complex mechanical systems
- Apply engineering assumptions in building mathematical models of complex mechanical systems
- Relate theory to the operation and maintenance of mechanical systems in the industrial context
- Identify and evaluate engineering uncertainty and the limitations of mathematical models
- Work collaboratively in a team to produce high quality outputs
- Create professional documentation including the use of mechanical systems terminology, equations, symbols and diagrams.
| Assessment Tasks | Learning Outcomes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| 1 - Project (applied) | • | • | |||||
| 2 - Project (applied) | • | • | |||||
| 3 - Laboratory/Practical | • | ||||||
| 4 - Portfolio | • | • | • | ||||
| Graduate Attributes | Learning Outcomes | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | |
| 1 - Knowledge | • | • | • | • | • | ||
| 2 - Communication | • | • | • | ||||
| 3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills | • | • | • | ||||
| 4 - Research | • | ||||||
| 5 - Self-management | • | ||||||
| Assessment Tasks | Graduate Attributes | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 8 | |
| 1 - Project (applied) | • | • | • | ||||||
| 2 - Project (applied) | • | • | • | ||||||
| 3 - Laboratory/Practical | • | • | • | ||||||
| 4 - Portfolio | • | • | • | ||||||