ENEX14001 - Mechatronics Systems Design

Showing: 2026 HE Term 1
General Information

Unit Synopsis

This unit will introduce you to supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) system design and development using industry standard SCADA software. You will also learn how to analyse system requirements for a given mechatronics system task, evaluate and select mechatronics modules and components from a pool of mechatronics modules and components. You will design custom components and fabricate them, develop concept designs and select the best option, design and develop a mechatronics solution for a given complex task. You will also program the developed mechatronics system using industry standard control systems and SCADA software, and commission the system. In this unit, you must complete compulsory practical activities. Refer to the Engineering Undergraduate Course Moodle site for proposed dates.

Details

Level Undergraduate
Unit Level 4
Credit Points 12
Student Contribution Band SCA Band 2
Fraction of Full-Time Student Load 0.25
Pre-requisites or Co-requisites
Prerequisites: ENEX13001 Instrumentation and Industrial Automation AND ENEX13003 Design of Mechatronics Elements

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).

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Residential School Compulsory Residential School
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Unit Availabilities from Term 1 - 2026

Term 1 - 2026 Profile
Mackay Mixed Mode

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).

Assessment Overview

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.

Assessment Tasks

Assessment Task Weighting
1. Written Assessment 25%
2. Practical Assessment 25%
3. Portfolio 50%

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

Past Exams

Previous Feedback

No previous feedback available

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: Student in-class feedback
Feedback:
 The unit’s learning and assessment requirements are not clear,

Recommendation:
 The learning and assessment requirements should be frequently discussed in the weekly class.

Action Taken:
 A dedicated segment was incorporated in each weekly class to review and discuss the learning and assessment requirements, ensuring students had a clear understanding.
Source: SUTE
Feedback:
 Students have not completed the unit evaluation surveys

Recommendation:
 Students should be encouraged to participate in the unit evaluation surveys by highlighting the importance of their feedback in shaping future improvements.

Action Taken:
 Students were encouraged to participate in the SUTE survey through constant reminders.
Source: SUTE Data
Feedback:
 The response rate to the student unit evaluation survey is low.

Recommendation:
 Students should be encouraged to participate in SUTE surveys through announcements and in-class reminders.

Action Taken:
 In Progress
Unit Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  1. Apply skills in industry standard data acquisition and control software to acquire sensor signals and control actuators
  2. Apply the design process to propose a mechatronics system for a real-world application
  3. Assemble a mechatronics system designed and fabricated from custom components
  4. Develop industry-standard control systems and SCADA systems to operate the designed mechatronic system
  5. Work individually and collaboratively in teams, communicate professionally using mechatronics engineering terminology, symbols and diagrams that conform to Australian and international standards.
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:

Intermediate
1.2 Conceptual understanding of the mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline. (LO: 5I )

Advanced
1.1 Comprehensive, theory-based understanding of the underpinning natural and physical sciences and the engineering fundamentals applicable to the engineering discipline. (LO: 1I 2I 3A 4A 5A )
1.3 In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline. (LO: 1I 2I 3I 4A 5A )
1.4 Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline. (LO: 1I 2I 4A 5A )
1.5 Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline. (LO: 1A 2I 4A 5A )
1.6 Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific discipline. (LO: 1A 2I 4A 5A )
2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving. (LO: 1I 2I 3I 4A 5A )
2.2 Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources. (LO: 1I 2I 3I 4A 5A )
2.3 Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes. (LO: 1I 2I 3I 4A 5A )
2.4 Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects. (LO: 1I 2I 3I 4A 5A )
3.1 Ethical conduct and professional accountability. (LO: 5A 6A )
3.2 Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains. (LO: 5A 6A )
3.3 Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour. (LO: 5A 6A )
3.4 Professional use and management of information. (LO: 1A 2A 5I 6A )
3.5 Orderly management of self, and professional conduct. (LO: 5A 6A )
3.6 Effective team membership and team leadership. (LO: 5A 6A )

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 the 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
1 - Written Assessment •
2 - Practical Assessment • • • •
3 - Portfolio • • • • •
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
• Introductory Level
• Intermediate Level
• Graduate Level
Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5
1 - Communication •
2 - Problem Solving • • • •
3 - Critical Thinking • • • •
4 - Information Literacy • •
5 - Team Work •
6 - Information Technology Competence • •
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
• Introductory Level
• Intermediate Level
• Graduate Level
Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 10
3 - Portfolio • • • • • • •
1 - Written Assessment • •
2 - Practical Assessment • • •