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AERO5010: Optimisation Methods in Engineering (2012 - Semester 2)

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Unit: AERO5010: Optimisation Methods in Engineering (6 CP)
Mode: Normal-Day
On Offer: Yes
Level: Postgraduate
Faculty/School: School of Aerospace, Mechanical & Mechatronic Engineering
Unit Coordinator/s: Dr Srinivas, Karkenahalli
Session options: Semester 2
Versions for this Unit:
Campus: Camperdown/Darlington
Pre-Requisites: None.
Brief Handbook Description: The unit is intended primarily to graduate students and senior undergraduate students with some background in linear algebra, and with basic knowledge of FORTRAN, C++ or Matlab. After completion of this unit, students will have a much deeper understanding of methods used in modern design optimisation for linear and non-linear problems. Such problems are becoming increasingly common and important in engineering and scientific work. The unit will explore the limitations, advantages and caveats associated with optimisation in engineering applications. Students will develop their own optimisation methods for linear, non-linear, and multi-objective computational and experimental applications.

Note: Department Permission required for enrolment
Assumed Knowledge: BE in the area of Aerospace or related Engineering field.
Additional Notes: Department Permission required for Enrolment
Lecturer/s: Dr Srinivas, Karkenahalli
Timetable: AERO5010 Timetable
Time Commitment:
# Activity Name Hours per Week Sessions per Week Weeks per Semester
1 Project Work - own time 10.00 13

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
Optimising a design. Design (Level 5)
Computational exploration. Maths/Science Methods and Tools (Level 5)
Literature review. Information Seeking (Level 4)
Planning and implementation of an optimisation project. Professional Conduct (Level 5)

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.

Design (Level 5)
1. Appreciation of methods used in engineering optimisation.
2. Ability to determine the objective function of a device for optimisation purposes.
3. Ability to analyse and interpret results of optimisation testing.
Information Seeking (Level 4)
4. Ability to undertake a literature review on a specialised engineering topic.
Project and Team Skills (Level 5)
5. Ability to plan and implement a complex optimisation project.
Assessment Methods:
# Name Group Weight Due Week Outcomes
1 Report No 100.00 Week 13 1, 2, 3, 4, 5,
Assessment Description: Report: Students will work on one test case and submit a report containing literature review, methods used, results and discussion, followed by conclusion.
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: Academic Honesty in Coursework. All students must submit a cover sheet for all assessment work that declares that the work is original and not plagiarised from the work of others.

Coursework assessment and examination policy. The faculty policy is to use standards based assessment for units where grades are returned and criteria based assessment for Pass/Fail only units. Norm referenced assessment will only be used in exceptional circumstances and its use will need to be justified to the Undergraduate Studies Committee. Special consideration for illness or misadventure may be considered when an assessment component is severely affected. This policy gives the details of the information that is required to be submitted along with the appropriate procedures and forms.

Special Arrangements for Examination and Assessment. In exceptional circumstances alternate arrangements for exams or assessment can be made. However concessions for outside work arrangements, holidays and travel, sporting and entertainment events will not normally be given.

Student Appeals against Academic Decisions. Students have the right to appeal any academic decision made by a school or the faculty. The appeal must follow the appropriate procedure so that a fair hearing is obtained.

Note that policies regarding assessment submission, penalties and assessment feedback depend upon the individual unit of study. Details of these policies, where applicable, will be found above with other assessment details in this unit outline.

All university policies can be found at http://sydney.edu.au/policy

Various request forms for the Faculty of Engineering and IT can be found at http://sydney.edu.au/engineering/forms/
Note on Resources: More advanced topics covered by course notes supplied

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 1 Project work.
Week 2 Project work.
Week 3 Project work.
Week 4 Project work.
Week 5 Project work.
Week 6 Project work.
Week 7 Project work.
Week 8 Project work.
Week 9 Project work.
Week 10 Project work.
Week 11 Project work.
Week 12 Project work.
Week 13 Project work. Report due.
Assessment Due: Report

Course Relations

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

Course Year(s) Offered
Master of Engineering (including Grad Cert & Grad Dip) 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024
Master of Professional Engineering (Aerospace) 2011, 2012, 2013
Master of Professional Engineering (Biomedical) 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016
Master of Professional Engineering (Mechanical) 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013

Course Goals

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

Attribute Practiced Assessed
Design (Level 5) Yes 60%
Maths/Science Methods and Tools (Level 5) Yes 0%
Information Seeking (Level 4) Yes 20%
Professional Conduct (Level 5) Yes 0%
Project and Team Skills (Level 5) No 20%

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.