Students
ELEC466 – Advanced Mechatronic Engineering
2016 – S1 Day
General Information
Download as PDF
| Unit convenor and teaching staff |
Unit convenor and teaching staff
Unit Convenor
David Inglis
Contact via david.inglis@mq.edu.au
E6B-122
see iLearn
|
|---|---|
| Credit points |
Credit points
3
|
| Prerequisites |
Prerequisites
60cp including (ELEC326(P) and ELEC324(P))
|
| Corequisites |
Corequisites
|
| Co-badged status |
Co-badged status
|
| Unit description |
Unit description
This unit integrates prior learning in a specialist area of engineering with problem solving, emerging technology and aspects of engineering application, technical reporting and self-management to prepare students to work at a professional capacity. The unit aims to address the application of fundamental principles and methods at an advanced level in the context of standards and practices, modelling, analysis, design and practical implementation. The unit also develops skills in the critical evaluation of information, software and sources of error, and experimental methods. Learning will be achieved using case studies, laboratories, presentations, group work and/or traditional lecture format. The specific topics will focus on current advances in the area such as microcontrollers, MEMs, nanotechnologies, control systems, sensors and actuators and electro-mechanical interfacing.
|
Important Academic Dates
Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates
Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:
- Evaluate and critique relevant data and technical writing
- Demonstrate planning, creativity, problem solving, initiative and time management skills in the completion of a major project
- Understand a wide range of advanced topics relevant to mechatronic engineering
General Assessment Information
To pass this unit students must demonstrate satisfactory performance on the final exam.
The standardised numerical grade awarded to students will be arrived at according to the grading policy, and may not be the weighted average of assessment tasks.
Assessment Tasks
| Name | Weighting | Due |
|---|---|---|
| Project Logbook | 15% | Week 13 |
| Engagement in Discipline | 3% | week 13 |
| Project Plan | 5% | End of Week 3 |
| Assignments | 10% | TBD |
| Brief Technical Report | 5% | end of Week 4 |
| Peer Review of Reports | 5% | End of Week 6 |
| Improved Technical Report | 7% | End of Week 9 |
| Project Outcome and Report | 30% | Week 13 |
| Final Exam | 20% | exam period |
Project Logbook
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 15%
Whenever working on your major project you should use an individual log book to document your progress. This may be a bound paper document or an electronic log. In grading you log book, I will be looking for dates and times of work done, as well as evidence of quality work, especially the application of science or engineering practice. This is your chance to show the good work you have done on the group project. If you produce drawings, these should be included. I would suggest including a table of contents, which is completed as you go, and points to significant or useful pages.
The individual project log is worth 15% of your final grade:
Evidence of work and attendance in Pracs: 5 marks
Legibility, traceability and organisation: 5 marks
Evidence of Technical content including concept sketches, detailed sketches, calculations etc: 5 marks
Due: end of week 13.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Evaluate and critique relevant data and technical writing
- Demonstrate planning, creativity, problem solving, initiative and time management skills in the completion of a major project
Engagement in Discipline
Due: week 13
Weighting: 3%
You will be graded on your engagement with the material and the wider engineering community. You are encouraged to make contributions in class, and to share news, discoveries, triumphs, etc through the twitter #MQMechatronics, which is fed to the iLearn page, and/or on the class discussion page, and/or on the MQ Mechatronics Facebook page. As 4th year mechatronics students I hope that you will provide some interesting content for the rest of the students in the major.
This will contribute 3% to your final grade and will be assessed after week 13.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Evaluate and critique relevant data and technical writing
- Demonstrate planning, creativity, problem solving, initiative and time management skills in the completion of a major project
Project Plan
Due: End of Week 3
Weighting: 5%
In Week 1 you will form groups of 1 to 3 and choose a major project. Your first assignment will be a project plan. This document must clearly show
-
what each member will be responsible for
-
Initial concept sketches and descriptions
-
Back-up plans should initial plans fail
-
Budget estimates
-
Timeline of deliverables and milestones
-
It must include a brief section detailing the contributions of team member to THIS document.
This should include an overall percentage contribution from each team member that must add up to 100%. This will be used to differentiate grades within a group in accordance with the grading policy.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate planning, creativity, problem solving, initiative and time management skills in the completion of a major project
Assignments
Due: TBD
Weighting: 10%
There will be 2 or 3 short assignments that will review topics covered in lecture. These are worth a total of 10% of your final grade.
Due: TBD
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand a wide range of advanced topics relevant to mechatronic engineering
Brief Technical Report
Due: end of Week 4
Weighting: 5%
You are to individually prepare a brief technical report on a topic of relevance to your major project. It should cover one topic in depth, ie it must go well beyond Wikipedia summaries. It should deal with a particular component or problem in the project. It must show a design process including calculations and quantification. In some cases reporting on the operation of a system or element of the project may be sufficient. It must not cover the entire project.
The report may include figures and images and should have a length of 800 to 1500 words. It must be submitted as a .doc or .docx file. The document will be graded by the head tutor.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Evaluate and critique relevant data and technical writing
- Demonstrate planning, creativity, problem solving, initiative and time management skills in the completion of a major project
Peer Review of Reports
Due: End of Week 6
Weighting: 5%
You will provide feedback and grading on two of your peers technical reports. You will be randomly assigned these reports. You will provide anonymous feedback on the document and upload the marked-up document via iLearn.
Your feedback will be graded by the lecturer/tutor.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Evaluate and critique relevant data and technical writing
Improved Technical Report
Due: End of Week 9
Weighting: 7%
You will receive your peer reviewed technical reports in Week 6. You will then act on the feedback that you receive and improve your report, paying particular attention to clarity and structure. This document will be submitted to iLearn for grading by the Lecturer.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Evaluate and critique relevant data and technical writing
- Demonstrate planning, creativity, problem solving, initiative and time management skills in the completion of a major project
Project Outcome and Report
Due: Week 13
Weighting: 30%
Your major project will be graded for completion and quality. You must also submit a group project document. Individual scores will be based on self reported individual weightings.
This report should resemble product documentation supplied with small production run systems (examples will be provided)
- provide the reader with enough information to re-create your device/system.
- It should include drawings, and component data sheets.
- You may wish to include important calculations or justifications for decisions made.
- It should also include a set of instructions for using and or controlling the device.
- It must include a brief section detailing the roles and responsibilities of each team member for the project and the report. This should include an overall percentage contribution from each team member that must add up to 100% for both the project and report. This will be used to differentiate grades within a group as per the grading policy.
- It should not include a description of your journey, mental, physical, emotional or otherwise.
You must also submit (by email to the tutor) a brief (~100 word) confidential reflection on your role in the project. At the tutor's discretion this may be used to adjust group weightings. If you feel that a group decision disadvantaged you, this is the place to indicate that.
The project report is worth 15% of your final grade, and the project outcome is worth 15% of your final grade. Projects will be graded in the week 12 prac. Any projects graded in week 13 will received a 50% reduction in the awarded grade. Project documentation is due at the end of week 13.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Demonstrate planning, creativity, problem solving, initiative and time management skills in the completion of a major project
Final Exam
Due: exam period
Weighting: 20%
The final exam will cover topics dealt with in lectures and on assignments. You are permitted one A4 sheet of hand-written notes. To pass this unit you must perform satisfactorily on the final exam.
On successful completion you will be able to:
- Understand a wide range of advanced topics relevant to mechatronic engineering
Delivery and Resources
Delivery: Attendance in lectures is strongly recommended. Audio or video recordings of the lecture may not be available.
Textbook Resources: Selected topics from:
A. Smaili and F. Mrad, “Mechatronics, Integrated Technologies for Intelligent Machines”, Oxford University Press, 2008.
Merle C. Potter and David C. Wiggert, “Mechanics of Fluids”,
Nanua Singh, “Systems Approach to Computer-integrated Design and Manufacturing”
John J. Craig, “Introduction to Robotics”
Serope Kalpakjian, “Manufacturing Engineering and Technology”
Additional recommended readings may be assigned and provided in iLearn.
Technology and Software: We will make use of Computer Aided Drafting, namely PTC CREO and MATLAB. You will have access to computers with this software during prac, however access to these programs outside of prac will be beneficial.
Late Submissions: Unless agreed to in advance of due dates, late submissions will not be allowed.
Extensions: Extensions may be granted if a valid case for disruption to studies exits. See policies and procedures below.
Unit Schedule
A unit schedule will be available on iLearn.
Learning and Teaching Activities
Group Project
Assignments
Technical report
Peer Review
Policies and Procedures
Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central. Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:
Academic Honesty Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/academic_honesty/policy.html
New Assessment Policy in effect from Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy_2016.html. For more information visit http://students.mq.edu.au/events/2016/07/19/new_assessment_policy_in_place_from_session_2/
Assessment Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/assessment/policy.html
Grading Policy prior to Session 2 2016 http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/grading/policy.html
Grade Appeal Policy http://mq.edu.au/policy/docs/gradeappeal/policy.html
Complaint Management Procedure for Students and Members of the Public http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/complaint_management/procedure.html
Disruption to Studies Policy http://www.mq.edu.au/policy/docs/disruption_studies/policy.html The Disruption to Studies Policy is effective from March 3 2014 and replaces the Special Consideration Policy.
In addition, a number of other policies can be found in the Learning and Teaching Category of Policy Central.
Student Code of Conduct
Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/support/student_conduct/
Results
Results shown in iLearn, or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit ask.mq.edu.au.
No extensions will be granted. Late tasks will be accepted up to 72* hours after the submission deadline. There will be a deduction of 20%* of the total available marks made from the total awarded mark for each 24 hour period or part thereof that the submission is late (for example, 25 hours late in submission – 40% penalty). This penalty does not apply for cases in which an application for special consideration is made and approved.
Student Support
Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/
Learning Skills
Learning Skills (mq.edu.au/learningskills) provides academic writing resources and study strategies to improve your marks and take control of your study.
Student Services and Support
Students with a disability are encouraged to contact the Disability Service who can provide appropriate help with any issues that arise during their studies.
Student Enquiries
For all student enquiries, visit Student Connect at ask.mq.edu.au
IT Help
For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/.
When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.
Graduate Capabilities
Creative and Innovative
Our graduates will also be capable of creative thinking and of creating knowledge. They will be imaginative and open to experience and capable of innovation at work and in the community. We want them to be engaged in applying their critical, creative thinking.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Assessment tasks
- Project Logbook
- Project Outcome and Report
Learning and teaching activities
- Students choose a major project to complete
Capable of Professional and Personal Judgement and Initiative
We want our graduates to have emotional intelligence and sound interpersonal skills and to demonstrate discernment and common sense in their professional and personal judgement. They will exercise initiative as needed. They will be capable of risk assessment, and be able to handle ambiguity and complexity, enabling them to be adaptable in diverse and changing environments.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Demonstrate planning, creativity, problem solving, initiative and time management skills in the completion of a major project
Assessment tasks
- Project Logbook
- Engagement in Discipline
- Project Plan
- Project Outcome and Report
Learning and teaching activities
- Students choose a major project to complete
- Students will prepare and improve upon a brief technical report of relevance to their group project
- Students will provide feedback to other students' technical reports.
Commitment to Continuous Learning
Our graduates will have enquiring minds and a literate curiosity which will lead them to pursue knowledge for its own sake. They will continue to pursue learning in their careers and as they participate in the world. They will be capable of reflecting on their experiences and relationships with others and the environment, learning from them, and growing - personally, professionally and socially.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Understand a wide range of advanced topics relevant to mechatronic engineering
Assessment tasks
- Project Logbook
- Engagement in Discipline
- Project Plan
- Assignments
- Brief Technical Report
- Improved Technical Report
- Project Outcome and Report
- Final Exam
Learning and teaching activities
- Students choose a major project to complete
Discipline Specific Knowledge and Skills
Our graduates will take with them the intellectual development, depth and breadth of knowledge, scholarly understanding, and specific subject content in their chosen fields to make them competent and confident in their subject or profession. They will be able to demonstrate, where relevant, professional technical competence and meet professional standards. They will be able to articulate the structure of knowledge of their discipline, be able to adapt discipline-specific knowledge to novel situations, and be able to contribute from their discipline to inter-disciplinary solutions to problems.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Understand a wide range of advanced topics relevant to mechatronic engineering
Assessment tasks
- Engagement in Discipline
- Project Plan
- Assignments
- Brief Technical Report
- Improved Technical Report
- Final Exam
Learning and teaching activities
- Students choose a major project to complete
- Students will complete assignments as needed to consolidate learning
Critical, Analytical and Integrative Thinking
We want our graduates to be capable of reasoning, questioning and analysing, and to integrate and synthesise learning and knowledge from a range of sources and environments; to be able to critique constraints, assumptions and limitations; to be able to think independently and systemically in relation to scholarly activity, in the workplace, and in the world. We want them to have a level of scientific and information technology literacy.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Assessment tasks
- Project Logbook
- Project Plan
- Project Outcome and Report
Learning and teaching activities
- Students choose a major project to complete
- Students will provide feedback to other students' technical reports.
Problem Solving and Research Capability
Our graduates should be capable of researching; of analysing, and interpreting and assessing data and information in various forms; of drawing connections across fields of knowledge; and they should be able to relate their knowledge to complex situations at work or in the world, in order to diagnose and solve problems. We want them to have the confidence to take the initiative in doing so, within an awareness of their own limitations.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Assessment tasks
- Project Logbook
- Project Outcome and Report
Learning and teaching activities
- Students choose a major project to complete
- Students will complete assignments as needed to consolidate learning
Effective Communication
We want to develop in our students the ability to communicate and convey their views in forms effective with different audiences. We want our graduates to take with them the capability to read, listen, question, gather and evaluate information resources in a variety of formats, assess, write clearly, speak effectively, and to use visual communication and communication technologies as appropriate.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning outcome
- Evaluate and critique relevant data and technical writing
Assessment tasks
- Project Plan
- Brief Technical Report
- Peer Review of Reports
- Improved Technical Report
Learning and teaching activities
- Students choose a major project to complete
- Students will prepare and improve upon a brief technical report of relevance to their group project
- Students will provide feedback to other students' technical reports.
Engaged and Ethical Local and Global citizens
As local citizens our graduates will be aware of indigenous perspectives and of the nation's historical context. They will be engaged with the challenges of contemporary society and with knowledge and ideas. We want our graduates to have respect for diversity, to be open-minded, sensitive to others and inclusive, and to be open to other cultures and perspectives: they should have a level of cultural literacy. Our graduates should be aware of disadvantage and social justice, and be willing to participate to help create a wiser and better society.
This graduate capability is supported by:
Learning and teaching activities
- Students will complete assignments as needed to consolidate learning
- Students will provide feedback to other students' technical reports.
Changes from Previous Offering
There are no significant structural changes to this unit from last year, however the content of some lectures will be different, and the final exam will reflect current topics.