Civil Engineering Design 1

Unit code: NEC3202 | Study level: Undergraduate
Credit points
12
(Generally, 1 credit = 10 hours of classes and independent study.)
Location
Footscray Park
Prerequisites
NEC2203 - Hydraulics
NEC2204 - Highway Engineering
NEC3103 - Hydrology and Water Resources
NEC3201 - Hydraulic Engineering
(Or equivalent to be determined by unit coordinator)
Overview
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Overview

In this unit, you will develop practical design skills and professional capabilities through applied civil engineering projects. Working in small teams, you will undertake two design tasks of varying complexity, primarily in the fields of water and road engineering. These projects will require you to collect and interpret data, perform technical calculations, develop engineering drawings, and prepare written reports and presentations that reflect industry expectations.



One of the design projects will be developed and delivered in collaboration with an external civil engineering organisation, giving you direct exposure to current professional practices and client-based project requirements. Through these experiences, you will strengthen your technical knowledge, teamwork, and communication skills while building confidence in managing design processes from concept to presentation.

Learning Outcomes

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

  1. Investigate civil engineering design problems, formulate project requirements, and apply a systems approach to generate viable solutions;
  2. Evaluate and integrate data and information from a range of technical and contextual sources to inform engineering decisions;
  3. Analyse preliminary design concepts in water and road engineering and assess their feasibility in terms of function, constructability, and compliance;
  4. Evaluate alternative design options using technical, environmental, and stakeholder-based criteria; and
  5. Collaborate effectively in a small design team, demonstrating initiative, shared leadership, and clear professional communication.

Assessment

For Melbourne campuses

Assessment type: Test
|
Grade: 20%
Test (Individual) (60 minutes)
Assessment type: Report
|
Grade: 50%
Design report on two sub-discipline projects (30% & 20%) (Group) (2000 words each)
Assessment type: Presentation
|
Grade: 30%
Presentation (Individual) (10mins)

Test: This invigilated secure in class assessment has an unpredictable problem-solving scenario format that tests deep understanding, requires explanation of reasoning and process, and involves applying knowledge to new contexts.

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 learning outcomes.

Presentation: This secure assessment involves an oral presentation on the design process of a water related project, key decisions, and final solution, followed by unpredictable Q&A to assess critical reasoning.

Required reading

Required readings will be made available on VU Collaborate.

As part of a course

This unit is studied as part of the following course(s):

Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) (Civil Engineering)
NHEC | Bachelor honours degree | Duration: 4 years

Refer to the course page for information on how to apply for the course. VU takes care to ensure the accuracy of this unit information, but reserves the right to change or withdraw courses offered at any time. Please check that unit information is current with the Student Contact Centre.

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