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Unit outline_

CHNG4811: Thesis A

Semester 2, 2024 [Supervision] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

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 semesters of enrolment. 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 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 they have been in assessing their 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.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
CHNG3801 AND CHNG3802 AND CHNG3803 AND CHNG3805 AND CHNG3806
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
CHNG4813 OR CHNG4814 OR CHNG4203
Assumed knowledge
? 

CHNG3801 AND CHNG3802 AND CHNG3803 AND CHNG3804 AND CHNG3805 AND CHNG3806. Enrolment in this unit of study assumes that all core 3000 level chemical engineering units have been successfully completed

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Marcello Solomon, marcello.solomon@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Marcello Solomon, marcello.solomon@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s) Luis Gustavo Bezerra de Campos, luisgustavo.bezerradecampos@sydney.edu.au
Katelyn Clutterbuck, katelyn.clutterbuck@sydney.edu.au
The census date for this unit availability is 2 September 2024
Type Description Weight Due Length
Tutorial quiz hurdle task Online quiz: Lab safety and Thesis Requirements
Set in Canvas - Students are required to get 36+ to pass the test
3% Week 03
Due date: 16 Aug 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 16 Aug 2024
40 short questions
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO6 LO4
Skills-based evaluation Thesis A Risk Assessment Task I
-Completion of a Risk Assessment Quiz -Completion of a Risk Assessment
12% Week 06
Due date: 06 Sep 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 06 Sep 2024
Submission of work
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO2
Creative assessment / demonstration Oral/Poster presentation
Oral presentation (Semester 1) Poster Presentation (Semester 2)
30% Week 08
Due date: 20 Sep 2024 at 17:00

Closing date: 20 Sep 2024
7min presentation + 2min Q&A
Outcomes assessed: LO5
Skills-based evaluation Risk Assessment Reflection Task
Students will reflect on a Risk Assessment performed by another student
5% Week 09
Due date: 27 Sep 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 27 Sep 2024
Short Reflection
Outcomes assessed: LO2
Assignment hurdle task Literature review and project plan report
written report
50% Week 12
Due date: 27 Oct 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 27 Oct 2024
about 30 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8
hurdle task = hurdle task ?

Assessment summary

Each student will be required to report on the mid-term progress or final results in their thesis/project investigations by delivering an oral and a poster presentation to their fellow thesis students and their supervisors. Oral presentation will be scheduled in Week 13 of the first semester and the poster presentation will be scheduled in Week 8 of the second semester.

Final Thesis is an individual thesis documenting and interpreting the information compiled during the research, and to act as the vehicle for communication to the interested reader.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

As a general guide, a high distinction indicates work of an exceptional standard, a distinction a very high standard, a credit a good standard, and a pass an acceptable standard.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

  • Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
  • After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

This unit has an exception to the standard University policy or supplementary information has been provided by the unit coordinator. This information is displayed below:

Failure to deliver a scheduled presentation will result in a 0 mark for this component unless prior arrangement for special consideration has been approved by the unit coordinator. Any late submission of assignments without the approval of Special Considerations will attract a 5% per day penalty of full mark.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI) and automated writing tools

You may only use generative AI and automated writing tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator. If you do use these tools, you must acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section. The assessment instructions or unit outline will give guidance of the types of tools that are permitted and how the tools should be used.

Your final submitted work must be your own, original work. You must acknowledge any use of generative AI tools that have been used in the assessment, and any material that forms part of your submission must be appropriately referenced. For guidance on how to acknowledge the use of AI, please refer to the AI in Education Canvas site.

The unapproved use of these tools or unacknowledged use will be considered a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy and penalties may apply.

Studiosity is permitted unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission as detailed on the Learning Hub’s Canvas page.

Outside assessment tasks, generative AI tools may be used to support your learning. The AI in Education Canvas site contains a number of productive ways that students are using AI to improve their learning.

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Progressive Working on Thesis Topic Project and Literature Review. Maintaining regular meetings with Supervisor to discuss progress Practical (26 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4
Week -05 Allocation of thesis topic and supervisor Tutorial (3 hr) LO3
Week 01 Thesis introduction and safety briefing Lecture (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO6
Week 02 Risk Assessment I (An Introduction to Risk Assessment) Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO6
Risk Assessment Case Study and Workshop Workshop (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO6 LO7
Week 04 Thesis A - Writing a Literature Review Lecture (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO6 LO7 LO8
Literature Review Workshop I Workshop (2 hr) LO3 LO4 LO8
Week 05 Techniques in Oral Presentation (Semester 1) or Poster Presentation (Semester 2) Lecture (1 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8

Attendance and class requirements

- Attendance at the Week 1 Safety Induction is compulsory for all students. - All other lecture and workshop attendance is highly recommended.

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

  • LO1. formulate an appropriate method for investigating a specific research question
  • LO2. understand the importance of risk management when devising, planning and performing research tasks
  • LO3. formulate and plan a personal research project
  • LO4. document and report research work undertaken in a format appropriate for academic literature with correct referencing
  • LO5. deliver a research presentation that is clear, confident and engaging to an academic audience
  • LO6. employ originality, ingenuity and initiative in dealing with critical research issues
  • LO7. analyse data, draw appropriate conclusions and present those conclusions in context, with due consideration of methods and assumptions involved
  • LO8. have developed in-depth knowledge of a specialised area within the discipline.

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1 Depth of disciplinary expertise

Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.

GQ2 Critical thinking and problem solving

Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.

GQ3 Oral and written communication

Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.

GQ4 Information and digital literacy

Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.

GQ5 Inventiveness

Generating novel ideas and solutions.

GQ6 Cultural competence

Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.

GQ7 Interdisciplinary effectiveness

Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.

GQ8 Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity

An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.

GQ9 Influence

Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes Graduate qualities
GQ1 GQ2 GQ3 GQ4 GQ5 GQ6 GQ7 GQ8 GQ9

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

Changes have been made to reflect student reviews of previous units. Staff have also been consulted where possible based on their feedback.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.