ENG5001: Advanced Engineering Data Analysis

The first thing to say is that we intend this course to be interesting, informative and formative. In this regard we are basing the context of the course on both individual study and group/team activities. You are actively encouraged to work as pairs and teams during your studies, but should prepare all assessment items as individual work. (Where group work is included in a portfolio this should be a clearly identified appendix, with individual work forming the main report body. Group work will be preceded by a front cover showing group membership names.)

Note: Each or the three assessments will be 10A4 pages or 20A4 sides in ‘body’ length, with preceding covers and page index, and following appendices.

The first course theme relates to the development of personal and self-management skills. The second relates to the development of skills and understanding about ‘the engineering method’ in a problem solving and project based environment.

Assessment Items:

Due dates are advised in the online specification, and will be shown on study desk. Three assessments are shown in the course specification.

Assessment 1: Portfolio 1: Reflection:

Portfolio 1 is Reflection on your current achievements in terms of engineering competencies, and personal qualities, attributes, skills and research effectiveness.

Week 1:

Stage 1 Professional Competencies are grouped under three headings, and you will address two competencies from each grouping. These groupings are:

1. Knowledge and skills base, competencies 1.1 to 1.6
2. Engineering Application Ability, competencies 2.1 to 2.4
3. Professional and Personal Attributes 3.1 to 3.6

Week 2

4. Qualities of a USQ Graduate

5. Engineers Australia’s generic attributes of a graduate Week 3

6. Your reflection on researched Industry definitions of Hard and Soft skills desired by Industry Week 4

7. Your research into Population and Population Growth estimates for your project.

8. Reflection on the effectiveness of your team in developing and sharing researched information and data for your project.

Assessment 2: Portfolio 2:

Portfolio 2 is development of your Project Plan.

Week 5

1. This is your demonstration of use of ‘The Engineering Method,’ and ‘Project Management Process’ in defining the problem (Client Brief),

2. and conducting appropriate research and data collection that will enable alternative solutions to be identified. This work will be described in a reflective and thoughtful manner in Portfolio

Week 6

3. Your research into the Client Brief will lead to generation of various viable alternative solutions, and you will document these alternatives.

Week 7

4. You will also be drafting an assessment methodology for selection of an optimum solution. Initial thoughts on an appropriate selection methodology will be described in Portfolio Part 2.

Week 8

5. Reflect on the source and appropriateness of your researched information and data, and its completeness.

6. Reflect on study team effectiveness in the collection and distribution of researched information and data. Is the team effective, and what could be done to improve that degree of effectiveness?

The Engineering Method and Project Management Process:

This schematic is very helpful in project based courses and situations, providing structure and process for ordering and developing thoughts, and structuring work. I recommend you follow it in all you do.