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AMME5218: Research Dissertation (2015 - Semester 2)

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Unit: AMME5218: Research Dissertation (24 CP)
Mode: Normal-Day
On Offer: Yes
Level: Postgraduate
Faculty/School: School of Aerospace, Mechanical & Mechatronic Engineering
Unit Coordinator/s: Dr Auld, Douglass
Session options: Semester 1, Semester 2
Versions for this Unit:
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Pre-Requisites: [48 credits from MPE degree program]. To undertake Research Dissertation, the students need to achieve 75 or higher on average in the first 48 credit points of MPE core units
Prohibitions: AERO5901 OR AERO5902 OR ENGG5219 OR ENGG5220 OR ENGG5221 OR ENGG5222 OR ENGG5223.
Brief Handbook Description: The aim of this unit of study is to obtain an understanding of how to define, plan, undertake and report on an open-ended piece of supervised research or design work.

Students will discuss the Dissertation topic with the supervisor(s) and generate a suitable Dissertation research plan with proposed outcomes. They will then conduct a literature survey and background research.

Students are asked to write a detailed report on a major research or design project. Some projects will be experimental in nature, others may involve computer-based simulation, feasibility studies or the design, construction and testing of equipment.

In the normal course of events some or all of the theoretical, developmental and experimental aspects of design or research work will be covered in this unit of study. These aspects may be either directed by the supervisor or be of an original nature, but in any event the student is responsible for the execution of his or her practical work and the general layout and content of the Dissertation document.

During the course of this unit of study, the students will learn how to examine published and experimental data, set objectives, organise a program of work and analyse results. They will also be expected to evaluate these results in relation to existing knowledge.

The Dissertation will be judged on the extent and quality of the student’s original work and particularly how critical, perceptive and constructive he or she has been in assessing his/her work and that of others. Students will also be required to present the results of their findings to their peers and supervisors in seminar.
Assumed Knowledge: The completion of 48CP from the MPE degree program
Department Permission Department permission is required for enrollment in this session.
Timetable: AMME5218 Timetable
Time Commitment:
# Activity Name Hours per Week Sessions per Week Weeks per Semester
1 Project Work - own time 16.00 2 13
T&L Activities: The student is expected to meet the supervisor(s) in a regular basis during the course of dissertation research.

Attributes listed here represent the key course goals (see Course Map tab) designated for this unit. The list below describes how these attributes are developed through practice in the unit. See Learning Outcomes and Assessment tabs for details of how these attributes are assessed.

Attribute Development Method Attribute Developed
Students are expected to demonstrate initiative and ingenuity in research, pointed and critical analysis of material, thoroughness of design, and innovative interpretation of evidence. Engineering/IT Specialisation (Level 5)
The results presented and conclusions drawn are to be presented in the appropriate literature context. Students are expected to seek out information efficiently and effectively and to evaluate the relevance of this information and its sources to their project. Information Seeking (Level 4)
Written communication will be exercised through the generation of the Progress Report and Thesis. The Seminar will give students an opportunity to practise their oral communication and presentation skills. Communication (Level 4)
A particular emphasis of Honours Thesis is the student’s ability to value their own engineering judgments through the process of engineering design. Students should demonstrate an understanding of the ethical, social and professional implications of the work they are undertaking. Professional Conduct (Level 4)

For explanation of attributes and levels see Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table.

Learning outcomes are the key abilities and knowledge that will be assessed in this unit. They are listed according to the course goal supported by each. See Assessment Tab for details how each outcome is assessed.

Engineering/IT Specialisation (Level 5)
1. Development of a higher level of research skills and expertise in the specific area(s)
2. Implementation of the research plan.
3. Ability to plan and undertake major research or design project
4. Ability to design and conduct experiments or tests and to analyse and interpret data from those experiments or tests.
5. Ability to work independently on a substantial project.
Information Seeking (Level 4)
6. Literature survey and in-depth review
Communication (Level 4)
7. Preparation and submission of a Thesis detailing the context of the problem, relevant background research and results of the investigation.
8. Development of seminar presentation skills
Professional Conduct (Level 4)
9. Understanding in research ethics, intellectual properties and commercialisation potential
Assessment Methods:
# Name Group Weight Due Week Outcomes
1 Progress Report No 10.00 Week 10 2, 6,
2 Presentation/Seminar No 10.00 Week 8 3, 6, 8,
3 Thesis No 80.00 Week 13 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9,
Assessment Description: Progress Report: A pregress report should include literature review and research plan

Presentation/Seminar: An open seminar presentation will be given in Semester 2. 20 minute presentation plus 5 minute questions

Thesis: A research dissertation will be submitted to cover (1) Literature review, (2) Methods and materials, (3) Results, (4) Discussion and (5) Conclusion, plus list of references and appendices. Due by the end of second Semester.
Grading:
Grade Type Description
Standards Based Assessment Final grades in this unit are awarded at levels of HD for High Distinction, DI (previously D) for Distinction, CR for Credit, PS (previously P) for Pass and FA (previously F) for Fail as defined by University of Sydney Assessment Policy. Details of the Assessment Policy are available on the Policies website at http://sydney.edu.au/policies . Standards for grades in individual assessment tasks and the summative method for obtaining a final mark in the unit will be set out in a marking guide supplied by the unit coordinator.
Policies & Procedures: See the policies page of the faculty website at http://sydney.edu.au/engineering/student-policies/ for information regarding university policies and local provisions and procedures within the Faculty of Engineering and Information Technologies.

Note that the "Weeks" referred to in this Schedule are those of the official university semester calendar https://web.timetable.usyd.edu.au/calendar.jsp

Week Description
Week 8 Assessment Due: Presentation/Seminar
Week 10 Assessment Due: Progress Report
Week 13 Assessment Due: Thesis

Course Relations

The following is a list of courses which have added this Unit to their structure.

Course Year(s) Offered

Course Goals

This unit contributes to the achievement of the following course goals:

Attribute Practiced Assessed
Engineering/IT Specialisation (Level 5) Yes 56.33%
Information Seeking (Level 4) Yes 20.33%
Communication (Level 4) Yes 19.33%
Professional Conduct (Level 4) Yes 4%

These goals are selected from Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table which defines overall goals for courses where this unit is primarily offered. See Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table for details of the attributes and levels to be developed in the course as a whole. Percentage figures alongside each course goal provide a rough indication of their relative weighting in assessment for this unit. Note that not all goals are necessarily part of assessment. Some may be more about practice activity. See Learning outcomes for details of what is assessed in relation to each goal and Assessment for details of how the outcome is assessed. See Attributes for details of practice provided for each goal.