Course Title: Sustainable Energy Design Project I

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Sustainable Energy Design Project I

Credit Points: 12.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

MIET2132

City Campus

Postgraduate

115H Aerospace, Mechanical & Manufacturing Engineering

Face-to-Face

Sem 2 2006,
Sem 1 2007,
Sem 2 2007,
Sem 1 2008,
Sem 1 2009,
Sem 2 2009,
Sem 1 2010,
Sem 2 2010,
Sem 1 2011,
Sem 2 2011,
Sem 1 2012,
Sem 2 2012,
Sem 1 2013,
Sem 2 2013,
Sem 1 2014,
Sem 2 2014,
Sem 1 2015

Course Coordinator: Assoc. Professor John Andrews

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 6085

Course Coordinator Email: john.andrews@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 251.03.06


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

This course comprises the first 12 credit points of a sequence of courses, comprising a total of 24 credit points, leading to the submission of an Energy Design Project. Students will also need to complete MIET2133 Sustainable Energy Design Project II (the second 12 credit points in the sequence). It is also expected that students will have completed all of the core courses in the program (MIET2125, MIET2126, MIET2129, MIET2130, MIET2131).


Course Description

Both full-time and part-time masters students may select the option of completing their Energy Design Project over two consecutive semesters, first taking this course, Sustainable Energy Design Project I (MIET2132), and then Sustainable Energy Design Project II (MIET2133), rather than the single 24 credit point course Sustainable Energy Design Project (MIET2128) and completing their projects within one semester. In this major project, master’s students will undertake independent research and analysis, leading to a thesis that details their findings. Students undertaking the program will be given the opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program to a research project on a significant real-world issue related to sustainable energy.  This thesis will be submitted at the end of the second of these linked courses, that is, Sustainable Energy Design Project II. The first task will be development of a research plan, using as appropriate the methods presented in and outcomes from the course, “Developing and evaluating proposals for sustainable energy systems”. It will be expected that triple bottom line evaluation will be integrated into all steps of the project from concept design to evaluation of impacts on implementation. In addition, new participative processes such as ‘constructive technology assessment’ to involve interested social groups including users in the technology development process will be incorporated where appropriate. Students will be encouraged to select a research topic of personal interest to them and (where relevant) to their employing firm, so that the work undertaken is founded upon a strong personal motivation and has direct practical relevance. The research project will be undertaken individually, but there will be an opportunity for students to work collectively in small groups to assist each other in research design and get regular constructive feedback from peers on progress. Communication skills and personal development capabilities will be further enhanced by presentations of research findings to the class, and (where appropriate) to the students’ employers.

 


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

Upon completion of this course, and its linked successor Sustainable Energy Design Project II, students will be expected to be able to:
• Demonstrate an in-depth understanding of the key issues in the sustainable energy project
• Demonstrate an ability to conduct rigorous and independent investigation into and analysis of a significant project in sustainable energy
• Demonstrate an ability to develop a thesis and report on findings in this project.
• Integrate triple bottom line evaluation into all steps of the project.
• Incorporate in this project participative processes such as ‘constructive technology assessment’ to involve interested social groups including users in the technology development process.

 



Overview of Learning Activities

The main learning activities will be:
• Independent, self-directed research into a significant sustainable energy project under the guidance of an academic supervisor.
• Regular small group discussions to provide mutual assistance in research planning and progress review
• Presentations of research findings to the class and (if possible) employer.
 


Overview of Learning Resources

A list of key references and sources will be provided in the orientation session. The lecturer will suggest further works and sources. Some additional written material will also be made available via the Learning Hub from time to time. There will be regular consultations with lecturers supervising the research project.


Overview of Assessment

• Progress report on thesis development
• Presentation to class on research findings