Course Title: Project 1

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Project 1

Credit Points: 12.00

Course Code	Campus	Career	School	Learning Mode	Teaching Period(s)
MIET2117	Bundoora Campus	Undergraduate	115H Aerospace, Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering	Face-to-Face	Sem 1 2006, Sem 2 2006, Sem 1 2007, Sem 2 2007, Sem 1 2008, Sem 2 2008, Sem 1 2009, Sem 2 2009, Sem 1 2010, Sem 2 2010
MIET2360	Stansfield College	Undergraduate	115H Aerospace, Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering	Face-to-Face	Offsh 4 09, Offsh 1 10

Course Coordinator: Dr Jie Yang

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 6169

Course Coordinator Email: j.yang@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 251.03.30

Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Six semester "core" of Mechanical, Manufacturing or Automotive Engineering

Course Description

This course is taken in the final year of the engineering program. The course constitutes the first part of the major project work activity for the program. This major project work involves the student in developing, managing and achieving the objectives of an engineering project.
Students will work on projects individually or in small groups; however, each student will submit individual work for assessment. Each student will be allocated a first and second supervisor.
The Project is divided into two one-semester courses, each of 12 credit points. Students cannot proceed to Project 2 until they have satisfied the requirements of Project 1
This engineering project activity either is done in conjunction with industry  or simulates a real engineering work environment, thereby contributing to Work Integrated Learning.

Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

This course will advance the students’ development of the following broad capabilities:

Ability to apply knowledge of basic science and engineering fundamentals
Ability to communicate effectively, not only with engineers but also with the community at large
In-depth technical competence in at least one engineering discipline
Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation and solution
Ability to utilise a systems approach to design and operational performance
Proficiency in engineering design
Ability to function effectively as an individual and in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams, with the capacity to be a leader or manager as well as an effective team member
Understanding of the social, cultural, global and environmental responsibilities of the professional Engineer, and the principles of sustainable design and development
Understanding of and commitment to professional and ethical responsibilities
Expectation and capacity to undertake lifelong learning
Ability to use appropriate techniques and resources.
Ability to conduct an engineering project
General knowledge necessary to understand the place of engineering in society
Ability to manage information and documentation
Capacity for creativity and innovation.

The broad objective of the two project courses is to provide an opportunity for students to apply knowledge and skills developed in their program to the engineering solution of a relevant, substantial problem in a timely and economic manner.
On completing this Project 1 course students will have:
• Carried out a major independent project activity which involves the defining of the project objectives, the preparation of a project plan and a bar chart showing the various stages for completion.
• reported the progress of the project work to the supervisor on a regular basis
• carried out substantial background literature research into the project and submitted a written report
• presented the salient features of the project on a poster including a brief oral presentation and question session.
• prepared detailed draft calculations, drawings and ordered all necessary materials where relevant.
The assessment tasks listed below are directed toward the students achieving these objectives.

Overview of Learning Activities

Project based learning, lectures, meetings with project supervisors

Overview of Learning Resources

Microsoft Project or similar software for the purposes of project management
Specific texts, journal papers and analytical software, dependent on individual project area. As these are dependant upon individual project area, assistance will be provided by the project supervisors in identifying relevant resources.

Overview of Assessment

The first task for this course is the creation of the Project Proposal. This document states the objectives, motives and methods of the proposed work. The project schedule and any special requirements must also be identified at this stage.
Marks for the Project Proposal will be awarded by the student supervisor(s). 

Students will be required to create and maintain a web-based log, i.e. a Blog, of their work throughout the semester. The Blog will be created using the PebblePad ePortolio package and it should be updated on a weekly basis. Assessment of the Blog will be conducted by the supervisor(s). 
Students will be required to develop an ePortfolio which will consist of an on-line collection of evidence, work and other information, that shows the development of student learning, knowledge, skills and abilities during the course. The ePortfolio will be assessed at the end of the semester by supervisor(s).

The first portion of the Thesis Document must be submitted at the end of the semester. It is not anticipated that any results will be included in this preliminary document. However, it is expected that the document will be at least 30 pages in length and that it will contain a literature survey, a problem specification and a description of the methodology. Supervisor(s) will award marks for the formal thesis document, which will be subject to moderation by other staff members. 

Students will prepare a poster and give an associated  20-minute oral presentation (consisting  of the oral presentation and a question/answer session) in front of staff and students. The presentation will be assessed by all academic staff attending the presentation.

The assessment recognises and rewards good professional practice such as appropriate inter-personal communication, punctuality, demonstration of appropriate written and oral communication skills.

As part of Work-Integrated-Learning in final year project courses, industry representatives will be invited to provide feedback on some item of students’ project work