Advanced Engineering Design
Credit points
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
Location
Prerequisites
(Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
Co-requisites
(Corequisite units must be studied concurrently with this unit)
Overview
This unit prepares you for professional practice by challenging you to undertake complex, open-ended engineering design tasks modelled on real-world projects. You will work both independently and in teams to develop innovative, standards-aligned solutions while applying systems design and project management principles. The unit integrates knowledge from earlier studies and emphasises the use of industry-relevant tools, including computer-aided design software, numerical modelling, scheduling, costing, and resource allocation techniques.
Throughout the unit, you will engage in structured project milestones supported by written portfolios and oral presentations to track and communicate your progress. Final deliverables include two comprehensive design reports and presentations documenting the full design process, technical analysis, and alignment with project specifications. You will be expected to demonstrate intellectual independence, professional responsibility, and engineering judgement in leading and contributing to advanced design outcomes.
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- Identify complex engineering design problems and implement appropriate methods to develop and complete solutions across a range of engineering fields;
- Critically review relevant design information and technical data to support informed decision-making;
- Design and evaluate feasible engineering solutions within a team setting using a systems approach, considering technical, environmental, economic, and social criteria;
- Collaborate effectively in a diverse team as a contributing member or leader of a multidisciplinary design team; and
- Present technical outcomes clearly and professionally through reports, team discussions, and oral presentations.
Assessment
For Melbourne campuses
Assessment type: Portfolio | Grade: 30%
Regular updates on design progress and skills development (1000 words).
Assessment type: Presentation | Grade: 20%
Presentation on the design process (Individual) (8 mins)
Assessment type: Report | Grade: 50%
Design report (including design calculations and drawings) (Group) (5000 words)
Portfolio: Structured tasks with progressive skill development supported by regular feedback and validation discussions. These milestones are recorded and incorporated into the overall marking process.
Presentation is secured through a formal panel presentation and unpredictable Q&A to verify decision making and critical thinking.
Report: This secure assessment ensures accountability through structured reflection, documented collaboration, and detailed explanation of techniques, with in-class progressive milestone checks linked to individual students also being used to enhance security. These milestones are recorded and incorporated into the overall marking process. Explicit evaluation of individual contributions further support the secure assessment and assurance of each student’s achievement of learning outcomes.
Required reading
Reading material will be negotiated in consultation with the supervisor and will be appropriate to the topic under investigation. Design brief and specification documents will be provided.
As part of a course
This unit is studied as part of the following course(s):