Engineering Project Preparation Subject description This subject provides students with the opportunity to learn and understand different research methodologies that can be applied to successfully complete an engineering professional project or a graduate research project. In this subject students are expected to develop specialised knowledge and attributes that demonstrate their preparedness for further learning or high-level professional practice while preparing or undertaking a project. Students are expected to use these skills to identify knowledge gaps and prepare a project proposal related to their field of study or major. Students communicate their learning through written assignments and a final report encompassing literature review and a preliminary project proposal. Class time is used for lectures and collaborative work in teams of critical friends. There are a number of group work exercises that investigate the theoretical frameworks applied to practical problems, which also familiarise students with the state of the art in research within their respective field of study or major. Subject learning objectives (SLOs) Upon successful completion of this subject students should be able to: 1. Reflect on your personal and professional experiences to engage in ongoing development. 2. Participate effectively in team and group processes including peer evaluation 3. Select and evaluate information for accuracy, currency and relevancy for the task at hand 4. Synthesise complex ideas, arguments and rationales in research articles to explore alternatives 5. Identify and justify a research gap and research hypotheses that need addressing 6. Select and integrate appropriate research methodologies to carry out investigative study 7. Communicate a comprehensive project proposal within a written document Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs) This subject also contributes specifically to the development of the following faculty Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs) and Engineers Australia (EA) Stage 1 competencies: Demonstrate research skills (B.6) Manage own time and processes effectively by prioritising competing demands to achieve personal goals (Manage self) (D.1) Communicate effectively in ways appropriate to the discipline, audience and purpose. (E.1) Professional practice within global context - Graduates must possess skills, knowledge and behaviours to operate effectively in culturally-diverse workplaces and a changing global environment. (F.0) Be able to conduct critical self-review and performance evaluation against appropriate criteria as a primary means of tracking personal development needs and achievements (F.1) Contribution to the development of graduate attributes Engineers Australia Stage 1 competencies Students enrolled in the Master of Professional Engineering Practice should note that this subject contributes to the assurance of Engineers Australia Stage 1 competencies: 1.4, 1.6, 2.1, 2.2, 2.4, 3.2, 3.4. Teaching and learning strategies The subject uses a model of brief lectures followed by class activities to support student learning. Students are grouped in teams of critical friends aligned by major to assist in collaborative work. The students are expected to go through online materials and videos before coming to class as instructed in the program so they are prepared for class activities. These activities include collaborative discussions, analysis of research work in their respective fields and hands on activities. Students will be guided and assisted to reach learning objectives through a series of milestones with deliverables strategically set throughout the teaching session. All students will be expected to contribute to group learning, assisting the group of critical friends in framing research underpinning their respective projects as well as demonstrating a high level of autonomy and accountability. A review mechanism, both on a self-review level as well as group review, enables students to gain a wider appreciation of applying knowledge on given tasks and the merits of appropriate solutions. Content (topics) The following topics will be covered: Importance of literature review, methods to undertake the review and identify knowledge gaps Different types of research methodologies Conceptualising research design and formulating a research question Formulating research hypotheses Sampling, data collection, analysis and interpretation of data, validation of hypotheses Developing a research plan within given constraints Assessment task 2: Literature Review Intent: Students prepare a literature review of their chosen project topic area which is located within the domain of their course/major. The literature review will show evidence of learning from external sources, such as Library research methods programs. Objective(s): This assessment task addresses the following subject learning objectives (SLOs): 3, 4, 5 and 7 This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes (CILOs): B.6, E.1 and F.0 Type: Literature review Groupwork: Individual Weight: 30% Length: Typically 7 pages, including 15 high quality references Due: 11.59pm Sunday 7 May 2017 Due: 11.59pm Sunday 7 May 2017 Submitted to dropbox on UTS Online Criteria linkages: Criteria Weight (%) SLOs CILOs Succint overview and articulation of needs to undertake research 15 7 F.0 Summary, strategical ordering of research articles 15 4 B.6 Review, analysis and critical evaluation of research articles 30 5 B.6 Summarise relevant outcomes 10 7 F.0 Credibility and relevance of sources, correctness of format of the referencing 10 3 B.6 Completeness of information; quality & clarity of expression SLOs: subject learning objectives CILOs: course intended learning outcomes 20 7 E.1