Students

ENGG650 – Systems Design and Engineering

2019 – S1 Day

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Dr Rex Di Bona
rex.dibona@mq.edu.au
Contact via email
50 Waterloo Road
Monday 1-3pm
Credit points Credit points
4
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Admission to MEng
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
ENGG450, ENGG851
Unit description Unit description
This unit deals with the design of complex systems from a top-down integrated perspective, concentrating on methods for maximising system performance. The unit includes elements of system design covering the complete life cycle of engineering systems, including: needs identification; functional analysis, detailed design and development; system modelling and optimisation techniques; decision analysis and economic evaluation of alternatives; design for reliability and usability, system test and evaluation; and project management techniques.

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:

  • Understand the reasons for, and be able to use, appropriate processes for designing engineering systems
  • Use appropriate tools to perform critical analysis, decision making, and problem solving.
  • Demonstrate ability in project management and group work skills
  • Demonstrate ability in self-learning and information retrieval skills
  • Demonstrate ability in oral and written communication skills for system design and engineering
  • Demonstrate understanding of the role and impact of engineers in society

General Assessment Information

Classes are co-taught, however for assessment purposes any group work must be completed with students enrolled in the same unit.

Grading and passing requirement for unit

In order to pass this unit a student must obtain a mark of 50 or more for the unit (i.e. obtain a passing grade P/ CR/ D/ HD).

For further details about grading, please refer below to the policies and procedures section.

If you receive special consideration for the final exam, a supplementary exam will be scheduled in the supplementary examination period (currently 15-19 July 2019). By making a special consideration application for the final exam you are declaring yourself available for a resit during the supplementary examination period and will not be eligible for a second special consideration approval based on pre-existing commitments. Please ensure you are familiar with the policy prior to submitting an application. Approved applicants will receive an individual notification one week prior to the exam with the exact date and time of their supplementary examination.

Hurdle Requirements

Participation in tutorial sessions is a hurdle requirement and students are required to attend at least 10/12 tutorial sessions to pass this unit.

Late submissions and Resubmissions

Late submissions will attract a penalty of 20/100 marks per day. Extenuating circumstances will be considered upon lodgement of a formal notice of Special Consideration.

Resubmissions of work are not allowed.

Students are reminded of University policies on Assessment, Academic Integrity and Special Consideration outlined below in the policies and procedures section.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Participation 10% Yes Weekly
Quizzes 10% No Weekly
Projects/Assignments 40% No see details on iLearn
Final Exam 40% No Examination Period

Participation

Due: Weekly
Weighting: 10%
This is a hurdle assessment task (see assessment policy for more information on hurdle assessment tasks)

Students are expected to actively participate in and contribute to class discussions. Marks will be awarded based on the quality and quantity of participation.

Please consult the Unit Schedule for details of the weekly readings and other learning activities.

This is a hurdle assessment, and failure to achieve the required level of participation will result in a Fail Hurdle grade.

 
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand the reasons for, and be able to use, appropriate processes for designing engineering systems
  • Use appropriate tools to perform critical analysis, decision making, and problem solving.
  • Demonstrate ability in project management and group work skills
  • Demonstrate ability in self-learning and information retrieval skills
  • Demonstrate ability in oral and written communication skills for system design and engineering
  • Demonstrate understanding of the role and impact of engineers in society

Quizzes

Due: Weekly
Weighting: 10%

Weekly worked quizzes on material for discussion to be completed before the Due Date specified.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand the reasons for, and be able to use, appropriate processes for designing engineering systems
  • Demonstrate ability in self-learning and information retrieval skills

Projects/Assignments

Due: see details on iLearn
Weighting: 40%

There are four assessable tasks that will build on each other. Deliverables associated with these projects and assignments are to be submitted as PDF formatted documents via iLearn for assessment. Plagiarism detection software will be utilised to ensure adherence with Univeristy policies. Peer assessment may be applied in group projects.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand the reasons for, and be able to use, appropriate processes for designing engineering systems
  • Use appropriate tools to perform critical analysis, decision making, and problem solving.
  • Demonstrate ability in project management and group work skills
  • Demonstrate ability in self-learning and information retrieval skills
  • Demonstrate ability in oral and written communication skills for system design and engineering
  • Demonstrate understanding of the role and impact of engineers in society

Final Exam

Due: Examination Period
Weighting: 40%

Moderated 3 hour open-book examination at the end of semester. Any texts, notes or other aides (except communication devices) may be used.
On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Understand the reasons for, and be able to use, appropriate processes for designing engineering systems
  • Use appropriate tools to perform critical analysis, decision making, and problem solving.
  • Demonstrate ability in oral and written communication skills for system design and engineering

Delivery and Resources

COMMUNICATIONS

  • Students are reminded the University will communicate all official notices to you by email to your university email account. Please read your @student.mq.edu.au email regularly, or forward it to an account you do read regularly.
  • All announcements and other communications regarding this unit will be via the unit iLearn website, https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/
  • Please do not email unit convenors and tutors directly, but instead use the "General Discussion" or "Dialogue" tabs on the unit website in iLearn.

TEXTBOOK

  • B. S. Blanchard & W. J. Fabrycky, Systems Engineering and Analysis, Pearson, 5th edition, 2014.
  • It is expected that every student will have access to this textbook - weekly readings are assigned (see the Unit Schedule on the unit's iLearn website) and must be completed before class.

OTHER RESOURCES

  • The iLearn web page for this unit can be found at: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/MQ/
  • All unit resources and communications relating to this unit, including a week-by-week schedule of learning and assessment activities, will be provided via the iLearn unit website.

TEACHING AND LEARNING STRATEGY

  • Classes in ENGG450/650/851 involve pre-reading of the text followed by class discussions of the material, and working through of example problems. In later weeks students take the role of lecturer, moderating the presentation and discussions. This mode of teaching and learning is used to develop self-learning and communication skills, which are particularly important when working as a professional engineer.
  • Please refer to the Document “ENGG450/650/851 Timetable” for week-by-week details of class activities, due dates for assessment tasks, and other relevant information.

ASSESSMENT

  • To complete this unit satisfactorily all assessable tasks must be completed.
  • Assessable tasks are to be completed by the due date indicated in the unit schedule - requests for extension must be submitted to the unit coordinator before the due date.
  • Assessable work should conform to accepted standards for professional communication (e.g. in formatting, presentation, spelling, clarity, etc.) A useful resource on Engineering Communications may be found at  http://www.engineering.utoronto.ca/Directory/students/ecp/handbook.htm

TECHNOLOGY USED

  • The iLearn web page for this unit can be found at: https://ilearn.mq.edu.au/login/MQ/
  • All unit resources and communications relating to this unit will be provided via the iLearn unit website.

RECOMMENDED REFERENCES

  • B. S. Blanchard, System Engineering Management, John Wiley, New York, 3rd edn. 2003.
  • G. Dandy, Planning and Design of Engineering Systems, Taylor & Francis, 2007.
  • G. A. Hazelrigg, Systems Engineering: An Approach to Information-Based Design, Prentice-Hall 1996.
  • B. Hyman, Fundamentals of Engineering Design, 2nd edn., Prentice Hall, 2003.
  • Haskins (ed.), INCOSE Systems Engineering Handbook, v3.0, 2006. http://sebokwiki.org/wiki/INCOSE_Systems_Engineering_Handbook
  • D. Long & Z. Scott, A Primer for Model Based Systems Engineering, Vitech, 2nd ed., 2011. http://www.vitechcorp.com/resources/mbse.shtml
  • A. Kossiakoff, W. N. Sweet, Systems Engineering Principles and Practice, John Wiley, New Jersey, 2003.
  • NASA Systems Engineering Handbook, 2007. http://ntrs.nasa.gov/archive/nasa/casi.ntrs.nasa.gov/20080008301_2008008500.pdf
  • D. W. Oliver, T. P. Kelliher & J. G. Keegan, Engineering Complex Systems, McGraw Hill, 1997. May be found online.
  • D. Long, Z. Scott, A Primer for Model Based System Engineering, Vitech. http://www.vitechcorp.com/resources/mbse.shtml
  • C. Shamieh, Systems Engineering for Dummies, IBM, 2011. Free download from https://www.ibm.com/services/forms/signup.do?source=swg-rtl-sd-wp&S_PKG=500028066
  • C. S. Wasson, System Analysis, Design, and Development: Concepts, Principles, and Practices, John Wiley, New Jersey, 2006.
  • A. W. Wymore, Model-Based Systems Engineering, CRC Press, 1993.
  • DoD, Systems Engineering Fundamentals, 2001. http://www.acq.osd.mil/se/pg/guidance.html https://ocw.mit.edu/courses/aeronautics-and-astronautics/16-885j-aircraft-systems-engineering-fall-2005/readings/sefguide_01_01.pdf

Other References

  • D. M. Buede, The Engineering Design of Systems, John Wiley, New York, 1999.
  • W. L. Chapman, A. T. Bahill & A. W. Wymore, Engineering Modelling and Design – Better Results Through Operations Research Methods, CRC Press 1992. TA168 .C45/1992
  • C. L. Dym & P. Little, Engineering Design: a project based introduction, Wiley 2004. TA174 .D958 2004
  • R. L. Freeman, Telecommunication System Engineering, Wiley 1996. TK5103 .F68/1996
  • C. J. Khisty & J. Mohammadi, Fundamentals of Systems Engineering, Prentice-Hall 2001.
  • R. R. Levary (Ed.), Engineering Design, Elsevier 1988. TA174 .E5316/1988
  • Gerhard Pahl, Wolfgang Beitz, Jörg Feldhusen, Karl-Heinrich Grote, (tr. Ken Wallace and Luciënne Blessing), Engineering Design A Systematic Approach, Springer, London, 2007. Electronic version TJ230 .P1613 2007eb
  • S. T. Poage, Quantitative Management Methods for Practicing Engineers, Barnes & Noble 1970. TA190 .P6
  • A. P. Sage, Systems Engineering, IEEE-Wiley 1992.
  • A. P. Sage and W.B. Rouse, (Eds.), Handbook of Systems Engineering,Wiley & Sons, 1999.
  • A. P. Sage, J.E. Armstrong, Jr., Introduction to Systems Engineering, Wiley 2000.
  • D. G. Stevens, System Engineering – coping with complexity, Prentice Hall 1998.

Relevant standards

NB: IEEE Standards may be downloaded from the IEEE Xplore database, accessible through the library website.

  • IEEE standard 1220-2005 (ISO/IEC26702), “Systems Engineering - Application and Management of the Systems Engineering Process”.

  • IEEE standard 1233-1998, “IEEE Guide for Developing System Requirements Specifications”.

  • IEEE Standard 15288-2004 (ISO/IEC 15288), “Systems Engineering – Systems Life Cycle Processes”.

  • Electronics Industries Alliance (ANSI/EIA) Standard, “Processes for Engineering a System”, EIA 632.

  • EIA SYSB-1, “System Engineering”.

Case Studies

  • National Aeronautics and Space Administration, A Catalog of NASA-Related Case Studies, 2011. http://www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/pdf/450420main_NASA_Case_Study_Catalog.pdf

Web-based Resources

  • Vitech website (CORE software and documentation) : http://www.vitechcorp.com

    • Access to Student Edition of CORE 9.0

    • http://www.vitechcorp.com/downloads/index.shtml http://www.vitechcorp.com/university_activation/

  • CORE documentation: http://www.vitechcorp.com/support/documentation.shtml#CORE_UE

  • Systems Modelling Language (SML): http://www.sysml.org/

  • Model-based systems engineering wiki: http://www.omgwiki.org/MBSE/doku.php

  • Systems Engineering Body of Knowledge: http://www.bkcase.org/sebok/ http://sebokwiki.org/wiki/Guide_to_the_Systems_Engineering_Body_of_Knowledge_(SEBoK)

  • IEEE Standards – IEEE Xplore via Macquarie Uni Library (online)

  • “Introduction to System Design: Structural Approach”, course notes, Mark Levin, http://www.mslevin.iitp.ru/SYSD.HTM

  • MIT OpenCourseware http://ocw.mit.edu/OcwWeb/Engineering-Systems-Division/index.htm

  • Wikipedia http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systems_engineering

Professional Organisations and Resources

  • Systems Engineering Society of Australia, http://www.sesa.org.au/  International Council on Systems Engineering (INCOSE), http://www.incose.org/

  • Systems Engineering Advancement Research Initiative: http://seari.mit.edu/

Engineering Communications

  • An excellent reference on engineering communication (presentations, writing, documentation, etc.) may be found at: http://ecp.engineering.utoronto.ca/online-handbook/

 

Learning and Teaching Activities

Weekly classes

Tutorial/discussion of course material.

Guest lectures

Guest lectures on how system design and engineering is used in specific industries (e.g. telecommunications, medical devices, etc).

Group projects and individual assignments

Four system analysis or system design tasks or problems to be completed during semester.

Student presentations

Student presentations of course material to class.

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/policy-central). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Undergraduate students seeking more policy resources can visit the Student Policy Gateway (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/student-policy-gateway). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

If you would like to see all the policies relevant to Learning and Teaching visit Policy Central (https://staff.mq.edu.au/work/strategy-planning-and-governance/university-policies-and-procedures/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/study/getting-started/student-conduct​

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) 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 or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

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

If you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@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:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the reasons for, and be able to use, appropriate processes for designing engineering systems
  • Use appropriate tools to perform critical analysis, decision making, and problem solving.
  • Demonstrate ability in self-learning and information retrieval skills
  • Demonstrate understanding of the role and impact of engineers in society

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Projects/Assignments

Learning and teaching activities

  • Four system analysis or system design tasks or problems to be completed during semester.

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 outcomes

  • Understand the reasons for, and be able to use, appropriate processes for designing engineering systems
  • Use appropriate tools to perform critical analysis, decision making, and problem solving.
  • Demonstrate ability in project management and group work skills
  • Demonstrate ability in self-learning and information retrieval skills
  • Demonstrate ability in oral and written communication skills for system design and engineering
  • Demonstrate understanding of the role and impact of engineers in society

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Projects/Assignments
  • Final Exam

Learning and teaching activities

  • Tutorial/discussion of course material.
  • Guest lectures on how system design and engineering is used in specific industries (e.g. telecommunications, medical devices, etc).
  • Four system analysis or system design tasks or problems to be completed during semester.
  • Student presentations of course material to class.

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 outcomes

  • Understand the reasons for, and be able to use, appropriate processes for designing engineering systems
  • Use appropriate tools to perform critical analysis, decision making, and problem solving.
  • Demonstrate ability in self-learning and information retrieval skills
  • Demonstrate ability in oral and written communication skills for system design and engineering

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Quizzes
  • Projects/Assignments

Learning and teaching activities

  • Tutorial/discussion of course material.
  • Guest lectures on how system design and engineering is used in specific industries (e.g. telecommunications, medical devices, etc).
  • Four system analysis or system design tasks or problems to be completed during semester.
  • Student presentations of course material to class.

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 outcomes

  • Understand the reasons for, and be able to use, appropriate processes for designing engineering systems
  • Use appropriate tools to perform critical analysis, decision making, and problem solving.
  • Demonstrate ability in project management and group work skills
  • Demonstrate ability in self-learning and information retrieval skills
  • Demonstrate ability in oral and written communication skills for system design and engineering
  • Demonstrate understanding of the role and impact of engineers in society

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Quizzes
  • Projects/Assignments
  • Final Exam

Learning and teaching activities

  • Tutorial/discussion of course material.
  • Guest lectures on how system design and engineering is used in specific industries (e.g. telecommunications, medical devices, etc).
  • Four system analysis or system design tasks or problems to be completed during semester.
  • Student presentations of course material to class.

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:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the reasons for, and be able to use, appropriate processes for designing engineering systems
  • Use appropriate tools to perform critical analysis, decision making, and problem solving.
  • Demonstrate ability in self-learning and information retrieval skills
  • Demonstrate ability in oral and written communication skills for system design and engineering
  • Demonstrate understanding of the role and impact of engineers in society

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Projects/Assignments
  • Final Exam

Learning and teaching activities

  • Tutorial/discussion of course material.
  • Four system analysis or system design tasks or problems to be completed during semester.

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:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the reasons for, and be able to use, appropriate processes for designing engineering systems
  • Use appropriate tools to perform critical analysis, decision making, and problem solving.
  • Demonstrate ability in project management and group work skills
  • Demonstrate ability in self-learning and information retrieval skills

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Quizzes
  • Projects/Assignments
  • Final Exam

Learning and teaching activities

  • Tutorial/discussion of course material.
  • Four system analysis or system design tasks or problems to be completed during semester.

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 outcomes

  • Understand the reasons for, and be able to use, appropriate processes for designing engineering systems
  • Demonstrate ability in project management and group work skills
  • Demonstrate ability in self-learning and information retrieval skills
  • Demonstrate ability in oral and written communication skills for system design and engineering

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Projects/Assignments
  • Final Exam

Learning and teaching activities

  • Tutorial/discussion of course material.
  • Four system analysis or system design tasks or problems to be completed during semester.
  • Student presentations of course material to class.

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 outcomes

  • Understand the reasons for, and be able to use, appropriate processes for designing engineering systems
  • Use appropriate tools to perform critical analysis, decision making, and problem solving.
  • Demonstrate ability in self-learning and information retrieval skills
  • Demonstrate ability in oral and written communication skills for system design and engineering
  • Demonstrate understanding of the role and impact of engineers in society

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Projects/Assignments

Learning and teaching activities

  • Tutorial/discussion of course material.
  • Guest lectures on how system design and engineering is used in specific industries (e.g. telecommunications, medical devices, etc).
  • Four system analysis or system design tasks or problems to be completed during semester.

Socially and Environmentally Active and Responsible

We want our graduates to be aware of and have respect for self and others; to be able to work with others as a leader and a team player; to have a sense of connectedness with others and country; and to have a sense of mutual obligation. Our graduates should be informed and active participants in moving society towards sustainability.

This graduate capability is supported by:

Learning outcomes

  • Understand the reasons for, and be able to use, appropriate processes for designing engineering systems
  • Use appropriate tools to perform critical analysis, decision making, and problem solving.
  • Demonstrate ability in self-learning and information retrieval skills
  • Demonstrate ability in oral and written communication skills for system design and engineering
  • Demonstrate understanding of the role and impact of engineers in society

Assessment tasks

  • Participation
  • Projects/Assignments

Learning and teaching activities

  • Tutorial/discussion of course material.
  • Guest lectures on how system design and engineering is used in specific industries (e.g. telecommunications, medical devices, etc).
  • Four system analysis or system design tasks or problems to be completed during semester.

Changes from Previous Offering

This, the last running of ENGG450/650/851 will use multi stage group discussions to explore facets of the unit's topics. Each student will be involved with a small group that will present to a larger group thought and conclusions about the topic at hand.

Changes in Response to Student Feedback

The teaching approach has been modified with less emphasis on text book regurgitation and more on individual and group exploration.