Course Title: Integrated Workplace Project 1

Part A: Course Overview

Course Title: Integrated Workplace Project 1

Credit Points: 24.00

Terms

Course Code

Campus

Career

School

Learning Mode

Teaching Period(s)

OENG1096

City Campus

Undergraduate

120H Civil, Environmental & Chemical Engineering

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2015,
Sem 1 2016

OENG1096

City Campus

Undergraduate

172H School of Engineering

Face-to-Face

Sem 1 2017

Course Coordinator: Ed Horan

Course Coordinator Phone: +61 3 9925 3926

Course Coordinator Email: edmund.horan@rmit.edu.au

Course Coordinator Location: 12.12.18


Pre-requisite Courses and Assumed Knowledge and Capabilities

Students should have completed six (6) core courses in the BP080 Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental Engineering)(Honours) program.


Course Description

Work Integrated Learning (Part 1) consists of two components: completion of early phases of a research project; and a  Work integrated learning (WIL) experience in engineering.

The research project is intended to represent the first half (initiation phase) of a project that you as a new graduate might be expected to undertake: an investigation of a research topic relevant to the profession. During this course you will plan your project, conduct a critical review of relevant published material (a “literature review”) and undertake sufficient work to produce some initial findings that will be further explored and finally reported in a subsequent course (OENG 1042 Integrated Workplace Project 2). The research topic will give you the opportunity to integrate relevant knowledge and skills from previous courses. This research project activity is undertaken in conjunction with industry or simulates a real engineering work environment, thereby contributing to your experience of Work Integrated Learning. You will be supervised by an internal School supervisor (academic), but you may also have an external supervisor (such as an industry-based practitioner).

The second component of the course is Engineering Work Experience. You are required to participate in a minimum of 12 weeks of approved engineering experience (or apply for recognition of prior engineering work experience) in order to complete this component and the course.This experience can be accumulated through a single 12 week block, or a number of shorter periods totalling at least 12 weeks.


Objectives/Learning Outcomes/Capability Development

The course specifically addresses the following Program Learning Outcomes for BH080 Bachelor of Engineering (Environmental Engineering)(Honours)

1.3. In-depth understanding of specialist bodies of knowledge within the engineering discipline.

1.4. Discernment of knowledge development and research directions within the engineering discipline.

1.5. Knowledge of contextual factors impacting the engineering discipline.

1.6. Understanding of the scope, principles, norms, accountabilities and bounds of contemporary engineering practice in the specific discipline.

2.1. Application of established engineering methods to complex engineering solving.

2.2. Fluent application of engineering techniques, tools and resources.

2.3. Application of systematic engineering synthesis and design processes.

2.4. Application of systematic approaches to the conduct and management of engineering projects.

3.1. Ethical conduct and professional accountability

3.2. Effective oral and written communication in professional and lay domains.

3.3. Creative, innovative and pro-active demeanour.

3.4. Professional use and management of information.

3.5. Orderly management of self and professional conduct.


On completion of this course you should be able to:

  1. Identify research questions and plan a study to investigate a specific issue/problem in Environmental Engineering
  2. Carry out an extensive literature review on a selected research topic and develop an understanding of how other Engineers have addressed similar issues.
  3.  Identify information required to address your research question and locate information from suitable sources such as  libraries, surveys, interviews, laboratory work and correspondence
  4. Collate necessary data for the project and develop a research methodology and a plan to arrive at a solution to the specific problem.
  5. Present and defend your plan to a learned audience, communicate with professional engineers and prepare an engineering report to a professional standard
  6. Work in a professional engineering environment.


Overview of Learning Activities

In regard to the Research Project component, you will be introduced to key competencies of a research leader through lectures and coursework on research methods. The project work will require significant research/investigation and reflection and will also include such aspects as engineering analysis, design, testing and programming. You will be expected to perform your project work with a high degree of independence and to take ownership of the project – all with guidance from staff and/or external industry supervisors.

For the Engineering Work Experience component you need to be, or have been, involved in activities that allow you to observe firsthand the sort of work that professional engineers undertake. Ideally you will be assisting a professional engineer and can engage in regular discourse with that mentor. The requirement for Engineering Work Experience in RMIT’s engineering bachelor degree programs may be satisfied in a number of ways and you may choose to use one or several of these:

• Employment with a suitable company in Australia or overseas (12 weeks continuously or equivalent)

• An extended placement of 6 – 12 months

• Completion of a final year “Professional Project” supervised by an external professional engineer.

Total study hours: 240


Overview of Learning Resources

You will typically need to use professional level resources such as specialist books and journals that are accessible in the RMIT library and other major libraries.

The internet and course notes may be helpful, but will not be sufficient by themselves to support an entire project at this level.

Depending on your project other resources such as those needed for laboratory activities, or provided by industry may be appropriate. A Research Project Learning Guide (RMIT University) will be provided.

You will use the Engineers Australia published engineering competencies as a guide to your professional development. Details are outlined in the RMIT Engineering Work Experience guidebook.


Overview of Assessment

The course assessment reflects the aim to encourage research on a topic  relevant to environmental engineering. Research projects can be of an investigation nature or experimental. Thus assessment is heavily weighted towards the production of a Research Report.

Component 1:  Research Project

Assessment 1: Integrated Workplace Project 1 (Research Project)

Scoping Report completed by Week 2 and Progress Report completed by mid-semester (15%) 

CLO 1 - 5

Assessment 2: Presentation and Submission of Research Project (Investigation Phase)  Report

(85%)

CLO 1 – 5  

Component 2: Engineering Experience

I) Completed 12 weeks or more work experience: This component  is a hurdle, hence you must pass this component to pass this course. To achieve approval of work experience you must submit all documentation required as outlined in the Engineering Experience Guide available through myRMIT. All reports/ documentation must be submitted through InPlace by week 2 of the course. Grades available are PX/NN.  You must complete the submission by week 2 otherwise you will need to undertake  the Professional Project. If you need extension please contact your WIL coordinator Dr Maazuza Othman.

II) Professional Project (WIL)

Assessment tasks include project brief, project scope, progress report- feasibility study, progress presentation, draft designs and final report. Details on the tasks, due dates and contents will be available through myRMIT.  Grades available are PX/NN. You must complete and pass all assessment components, contribute and attend a designated number of activities to achieve PX for this component of the course.

Refer to supplementary information manual distributed and requirements for Work Experience component as outlined by the School’s Work Placement section.

WIL

Week 3 – Submit work experience plan )hurdle)

 Week 6 – Initial Report (Evaluation & Reflective Journal) (hurdle)

 Week 12 – Detailed WIL report (hurdle) – Include plan summary, completion of evaluation and reflective journals

CLO 1 - 6