Final Year Capstone Project 1

Overview

This unit aims to introduce students to engineering research through planning and managing an innovative capstone engineering research project, using research methods and reflecting on broader professional issues related to the project. The types of research projects may include research intensive, design, build and development of a product or software or system, and solution to an engineering problem for an industry partner, to contribute new knowledge to the relevant field, and achieve social, economic, environmental and cultural outcomes.

Unit learning outcomes

Students who successfully complete this unit will be able to:

1. Plan and manage an innovative engineering research project, using project management processes and tools, and self-management skills (K1, K2, K3, K4, K5, K6, S1, S2, S3, S4, A2, A3, A4, A5, A6)
2. Research a complex problem within given constraints, using knowledge and skills developed during the course by formulating research questions, appraising current literature and developments, and applying research principles and methods to generate, evaluate and justify innovative solutions (K1, K2, K3, K4, S1, S2, S3, A2, A3, A4)
3. Create effective professional written and oral communication to a variety of audiences through proposals, reports, documentation and presentations (A2, A4)
4. Reflect on professional engineering practice and its impact on the project, including safety, ethical, legal, social, cultural and sustainability considerations, along with standards and codes of practice (A1, A2, A4, K5, K6, S4)
5. Apply professionalism, integrity, ethical conduct and professional accountability in all aspects of project work, including teamwork (when appropriate and applicable), dealing with stakeholders and demonstrating a professional image (K5, K6, S4, A1, A2, A5, A6)

Teaching methods

Hawthorn

Assessment

Content

The final year research project will be of an analytical, experimental, design or computational nature (or a combination of these), with significant elements of creativity and originality. Learning will take place primarily through independent research, guided by the student’s supervisors from the University and industry if applied.

The unit is organised to have:

• Face to face seminars covering contemporary engineering issues and online seminars providing overview of research methods
• Presentations
• Industry speakers’ seminars.

The research component includes:

• The principles of engineering research
• Defining the research problem
• Reviewing the literature
• Research methodologies
• Ethics and plagiarism
• Planning a research project
• Communicating research outcomes

The contemporary issues in the engineering profession include:

• The role of a professional engineer
• Issues associated with professional engineering practice, including safety, ethical, legal, social, cultural and sustainability considerations, such as intellectual property, engineering research ethics, etc.
• Reflection and self-review practices
• Professional development plan