Note: This unit version is currently under review and is subject to change!
AMME4112: Thesis B (2019 - Semester 2)
| Unit: | AMME4112: Thesis B (6 CP) |
| Mode: | Normal-Day |
| On Offer: | Yes |
| Level: | Honours |
| Faculty/School: | School of Aerospace, Mechanical & Mechatronic Engineering |
| Unit Coordinator/s: |
Dr Fiford, Rod
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| Session options: | Semester 1, Semester 2 |
| Versions for this Unit: | |
| Site(s) for this Unit: |
http://web.aeromech.usyd.edu.au/AMME4111 |
| Campus: | Camperdown/Darlington |
| Pre-Requisites: | [36 credit points of at least third year Engineering units of study]. |
| Prohibitions: | AMME4121 OR AMME4122 OR AMME4010. |
| Brief Handbook Description: | The ability to plan, systematically conduct and report on a major project, involving both research and design, is an important skill for professional engineers. The final year thesis units (Thesis A and Thesis B) aim to provide students with the opportunity to carry out a defined piece of independent research and design that fosters the development of engineering skills. These skills include: the capacity to define a problem; carry out systematic research in exploring how it relates to existing knowledge; identifying the tools needed to address the problem; designing a solution, product or prototype; analysing the results obtained; and presenting the outcomes in a report that is clear, coherent and logically structured. The thesis is undertaken across two CONSECUTIVE SEMESTERS of enrollment, if not students will have to enroll in Thesis A again. Taken together, the thesis A covers initial research into the background of the problem being considered (formulated as a literature review), development of a detailed proposal incorporating project objectives, planning, and risk assessment, preliminary design, modelling and/or experimental work, followed by the detailed work in designing a solution, performing experiments, evaluating outcomes, analysing results, and writing up and presenting the outcomes. The final grade is based on the work done in both Honours Thesis A and B, and will be awarded upon successful completion of Thesis B. While recognising that some projects can be interdisciplinary in nature, it is the normal expectation that the students would do the project in their chosen area of specialisation. For student who are completing a Major within their BE degree, the thesis topic must be within the area of the Major. The theses to be undertaken by students will very often be related to some aspect of a staff member’s research interests. Some projects will be experimental in nature, others may involve computer-based simulation and analysis, feasibility studies or the design, construction and testing of equipment. All however will require students to undertake research and design relevant to the topic of their thesis. The direction of thesis work may be determined by the supervisor or be of an original nature, but in either case the student is responsible for the execution of the practical work and the general layout and content of the thesis itself. The thesis must be the student's individual work although it may be conducted as a component of a wider group project. Students undertaking research on this basis will need to take care in ensuring the quality of their own research and design work and their individual final thesis submission. The thesis 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 thesis to their peers and supervisors as part of a seminar program. Whilst thesis topics will be constrained by the available time and resources, the aim is to contribute to the creation of new engineering knowledge, techniques and/or solutions. Students should explore topics that arouse intellectual curiosity and represent an appropriate range and diversity of technical and conceptual research and design challenges. |
| Assumed Knowledge: | None. |
| Timetable: | AMME4112 Timetable | ||||||||||
| Time Commitment: |
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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 |
| Ability to undertake problem identification, formulation, and solution for complex engineering problems. Ability to identify opportunities for innovation and improvement. Ability to apply creative approaches to identify and develop alternative concepts and procedures. | Design (Level 4) |
| In depth knowledge of a specfic subject area within the discipline. Familiarity with central methodology and experimental practices of the discipline and ability to make effective use of them. | Engineering/IT Specialisation (Level 4) |
| In conducting their research project, students are expected to select and apply appropriate research methods and to analyse and interpret resulting data. | Maths/Science Methods and Tools (Level 3) |
| Students are expected to seek out information efficiently and effectively and to evaluate the relevance of this information and its sources to their project. Students are expected to demonstrate initiative and ingenuity in research, pointed and critical analysis of material, thoroughness of design, and innovative interpretation of evidence. The results presented and conclusions drawn are to be presented in the appropriate literature context. | Information Seeking (Level 3) |
| 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) |
| Confidence in own engineering judgments through the process of engineering research. Understanding of the ethical, social and professional implications of the work they are undertaking. Ability to undertake a major research project. |
Professional Conduct (Level 3) |
For explanation of attributes and levels see Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table 2018.
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 4)
1. Ability to formulate and plan a personal research project
2. Originality, ingenuity and initiative in dealing with critical research issues.
Engineering/IT Specialisation (Level 4)
3. In-depth knowledge of a specialised area within the discipline
Maths/Science Methods and Tools (Level 3)
4. Ability to formulate an appropriate method for investigating a specific research question
5. Ability to analyse data, draw appropriate conclusions and present those conclusions in context, with due consideration of methods and assumptions involved.
Communication (Level 4)
6. Ability to document and report research work undertaken in a format appropriate for academic literature with correct referencing.
7. Ability to deliver a research presentation that is clear, confident and engaging to an academic audience.
| Assessment Methods: |
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| Assessment Description: |
* All special consideration applications for this UoS must be approved by the School. Proposal (previous semester): Thesis proposal (Thesis A). The proposal should be about two pages in length and written in consultation with supervisor. The proposal includes a time schedule for the various tasks involved in the thesis work. In particular, if any workshop time is required (for building experimental equipment etc.). The proposal must include a statement that the job has been discussed with the Workshop Supervisor and the proposed time slot (give dates) and resources allocated to the job must be specified. The proposal must be submitted to your thesis supervisor by the date specified. The proposal does not carry any marks, but failure to submit a satisfactory proposal may result in discontinuation of the course for that semester. Progress Report (previous semester): Progress Report (Thesis A). The report should include an introduction and literature survey in a form similar to that which will appear in the final thesis and a summary (not exceeding 1000 words) of the work carried out thus far. The thesis supervisor should be contacted when preparing this report for advice regarding content and structure. The progress report must be submitted directly to the student`s thesis supervisor, as well as online via Turnitin. The progress report will be marked out of 10 by your supervisor and the marks will contribute 10% of the final Thesis mark. Late submissions (based on day/time submitted electronically to Turnitin) will result in a penalty of 0.5 marks (out of 10) per day (including weekends) up to a maximum of the mark awarded. Presentation/Seminar: Seminar (Thesis B - AMME4112). This is an opportunity for students to present their work to other students and to staff. It is a compulsory part of Thesis. Evaluation will be based on the quality and coherence of the presentation, quality of subject matter and the handling of questions from the audience. Late penalty applies to late seminar abstract submission of 0.5% per day. Thesis: Thesis submission (Thesis B - AMME4112). Thesis is due 3pm, Thursday of week 13 online via Canvas and Turnitin. Two hard-bound copies of the Thesis MUST also be submitted to Room 442 by 3pm Wednesday the following week (Stuvac). Late of 5% per day (including weekends) applies for late submission (both physical and online). A statement identifying the specific contributions of the student and others must be included or the thesis will receive a grade of 0. Thesis content requirements are set out in the School`s Thesis Marking Sheet, which provides the basis for thesis marking. Undergraduate theses are strictly limited to a maximum of 75 pages (approximately 25,000-30,000 words) excluding the pre-amble such as a title page, abstract, declaration of contribution, acknowledgements, table of contents and references. Appendices may also be included in addition to the 75 page limit but are for peripherally relevant information and are generally not assessable. Thesis is about quality not quantity. Students should closely consult their supervisor as well as the Marking Sheet regarding the appropriate content, organisation and formatting. Students are encouraged to examine theses from previous years (available in the thesis library in Room 444) to get an idea of acceptable formats and styles. |
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| Grading: |
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| 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. |
| Online Course Content: | http://web.aeromech.usyd.edu.au/AMME4111 |
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 | Independent research. |
| Week 2 | Independent research. |
| Week 3 | Independent research. |
| Week 4 | Independent research. |
| Week 5 | Independent research. |
| Week 6 | Independent research. |
| Week 7 | Independent research. |
| Week 8 | Independent research. |
| Week 9 | Independent research. |
| Week 10 | Independent research. Thesis Draft to supervisor. |
| Week 11 | Independent research. |
| Assessment Due: Presentation/Seminar * | |
| Week 12 | Independent research. |
| Week 13 | Independent research. Thesis final submission. |
| Assessment Due: Thesis* | |
| Previous Semester | Assessment Due: Proposal |
| Assessment Due: Progress Report * |
Course Relations
The following is a list of courses which have added this Unit to their structure.
Course Goals
This unit contributes to the achievement of the following course goals:
| Attribute | Practiced | Assessed |
| Project and Team Skills (Level 3) | No | 0% |
| Design (Level 4) | Yes | 29.17% |
| Engineering/IT Specialisation (Level 4) | Yes | 20.84% |
| Maths/Science Methods and Tools (Level 3) | Yes | 29.17% |
| Communication (Level 4) | Yes | 20.84% |
| Information Seeking (Level 3) | Yes | 0% |
| Professional Conduct (Level 3) | Yes | 0% |
These goals are selected from Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table 2018 which defines overall goals for courses where this unit is primarily offered. See Engineering & IT Graduate Outcomes Table 2018 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.
