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ENEX20001 - Embedded System Design

General Information

Unit Synopsis

In this unit, you will develop the knowledge and skills required to program, interface, and control microcontroller-based embedded systems using structured programming techniques. The unit introduces the architecture and core principles of embedded systems, covering key programming elements such as data types, loops, branching statements, and functions. You will also explore advanced topics, including interrupt handling, timers, and interfacing with peripherals, analogue and digital sensors, and external devices through various communication protocols. Through hands-on laboratory exercises, you will design, prototype, and test embedded systems using commercially available microcontrollers. The unit culminates in a final project where you will design and implement a real-world embedded application. To complete the compulsory practical activities and project, you will need to purchase specific hardware components. Details of the required components and associated costs are available on the unit Moodle site. This unit supports UN Sustainable Development Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure by highlighting how microcontroller-based systems enable low-cost automation and innovation in small-scale industrial applications.

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
ENEE14006 Embedded Microcontrollers is an Anti-Requisite 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).

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

Term 1 - 2026 Profile
Melbourne
Mixed Mode
Rockhampton
Term 2 - 2026 Profile
Melbourne
Mixed Mode
Rockhampton
Term 3 - 2026 Profile
Melbourne
Mixed Mode
Rockhampton

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 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. Online Quiz(zes) 20%
2. Practical Assessment 40%
3. Project (applied) 40%

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

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Previous Feedback

Term 2 - 2024 : The overall satisfaction for students in the last offering of this course was 100.00% (`Agree` and `Strongly Agree` responses), based on a 45.45% 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: In-class student feedback
Feedback
The use of Microsoft Teams is a more efficient way to resolve hardware and software problems encountered by students in their assessments.
Recommendation
Microsoft Teams should be employed alongside emails and forums when addressing student queries related to software and hardware issues.
Action Taken
The use of Microsoft Teams to support students continued consistently throughout the year.
Source: Student unit evaluation responses
Feedback
More sample codes and reading materials are needed to improve learning resources.
Recommendation
Additional sample codes and reading materials should be provided to enhance learning resources.
Action Taken
Extra sample codes were introduced, and additional reading materials were provided.
Source: Unit Coordinator's refelction
Feedback
The use of authentic assessment practices with individualised assessment items has resulted in a decrease in academic misconduct cases.
Recommendation
Authentic assessment practices with individualised assessment items should be employed to mitigate academic misconduct cases.
Action Taken
This practice was continued.
Source: Unit Coordinator's Reflection
Feedback
Many disengaged students failed to complete the formative assessment, leading to lower grades.
Recommendation
The disengaged students should be identified through the completion of formative assessments, and additional support should be provided to those students.
Action Taken
In Progress
Source: SUTE Survey
Feedback
Some students failed to identify the relevance of the unit content to their degree.
Recommendation
During the workshops, students should be informed about how the skills and knowledge they gain from this unit can be applied to their future careers.
Action Taken
In Progress
Unit learning Outcomes

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

  1. Apply structured programming principles to develop software code
  2. Program a microcontroller to interface with external devices, including analog and digital sensors, actuators, and computers
  3. Analyse and design microcontroller-based real-time applications using industry-standard development systems and software tools
  4. Prototype an embedded microcontroller system for a real-world application
  5. Communicate professionally using relevant technical terminology, symbols, and diagrams, and effectively document design and prototyped solutions
  6. Work independently and collaboratively to analyse problems and present solutions.

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
1.2 Conceptual understanding of the mathematics, numerical analysis, statistics, and computer and information sciences which underpin the engineering discipline. (LO: 1N 2N 4N )
Intermediate
1.4 Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline. (LO: 1I 2I 3I 4I )
3.1 Ethical conduct and professional accountability. (LO: 4I 5I 6I )
3.2 Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains. (LO: 5I 6I )
3.3 Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour. (LO: 1I 2I 3I 4I )
3.4 Professional use and management of information. (LO: 3I 4I 5I 6I )
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 3I 4A )
1.3 In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline. (LO: 1I 2I 3I 4A )
1.5 Knowledge of engineering design practice and contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline. (LO: 1I 2I 3A 4A )
1.6 Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of sustainable engineering practice in the specific discipline. (LO: 1I 2I 3I 4A )
2.1 Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering problem solving. (LO: 1I 2I 3I 4A )
2.2 Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources. (LO: 1I 2I 3I 4A )
2.3 Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes. (LO: 1I 2I 3A 4A )
2.4 Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects. (LO: 3A 4A )
3.5 Orderly management of self, and professional conduct. (LO: 4A 5I 6I )
3.6 Effective team membership and team leadership. (LO: 5I  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 Postgraduate Units Moodle site for further information on the Engineers Australia's Stage 1 Competency Standard for Professional Engineers and course level mapping information
 

Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Learning Outcomes
Assessment Tasks Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - Online Quiz(zes) •
2 - Practical Assessment • • • •
3 - Project (applied) • • • • •
Alignment of Graduate Attributes to Learning Outcomes
• Professional Level
• Advanced Level
Graduate Attributes Learning Outcomes
1 2 3 4 5 6
1 - Knowledge • • • •
2 - Communication • • • •
3 - Cognitive, technical and creative skills • • • •
4 - Research • •
5 - Self-management • •
6 - Ethical and Professional Responsibility • •
7 - Leadership •
Alignment of Assessment Tasks to Graduate Attributes
• Professional Level
• Advanced Level
Assessment Tasks Graduate Attributes
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8