Outline

Overview

The objective of this unit of study is to introduce students to the field of civil engineering and its areas of specialisation: structural engineering, environmental engineering, geotechnical engineering, construction management, transportation engineering, and humanitarian engineering. The unit will cover basic physics concepts relevant to civil engineering. The unit will equip students with knowledge of foundational civil engineering tools and techniques such as the identification and calculation of loads on structures, structural systems, and load paths in structures. The unit covers design and construction issues related to the use of standard materials such as steel, concrete, and timber. The unit includes several design tasks and a design project with an emphasis on issues associated with the impact of civil infrastructure on the natural environment, the economy, and social and humanitarian outcomes. The topics will provide a sound foundation for the further study of civil infrastructure design, analysis, construction, and maintenance.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Civil Engineering
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	None
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	ENGG1800 or CHNG1108 or MECH1560 or AERO1560 or AMME1960 or BMET1960 or MTRX1701 or ENGG1960 or ELEC1004
Assumed knowledge ?	HSC Mathematics Extension 1
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Mike Bambach, mike.bambach@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Take-home short release)	Final exam Final exam	50%	Formal exam period	2 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Optional small test	Quiz 1 Formative quiz	0%	Week 02	na
Outcomes assessed:
Optional small test	Quiz 2 Formative quiz	0%	Week 03	na
Outcomes assessed:
Optional small test	Quiz 3 Formative quiz	0%	Week 04	na
Outcomes assessed:
Optional small test	Quiz 4 Formative quiz	0%	Week 05	na
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Quiz Assessment Online quiz completed in Canvas during week 6	10%	Week 06	30min
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Project 1 As indicated on Canvas	5%	Week 07	One pdf file, one excel file
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Project 2 As indicated on Canvas	5%	Week 08	One pdf file
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Project 3 As indicated on Canvas	5%	Week 09	One pdf file
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Project 4 As indicated on Canvas	5%	Week 10	One pdf file
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Project 5 As indicated on Canvas	10%	Week 11	One pdf file
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Project 6 As indicated on Canvas	10%	Week 12	One pdf file
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

See assessment table, and further detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas

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	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard, as defined by grade descriptors or exemplars outlined by your faculty or school.
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.

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.

Learning support

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.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 01	Transition activities	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 02	Gravity Loads	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 02	Gravity Loads	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 03	Fluids Loads	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 03	Fluids Loads	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 04	Materials and foundations	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 04	Materials and foundations	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 05	Construction management	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 05	Construction management	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 06	Data analytics in Transport 1	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 06	Data analytics in Transport 1	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 07	Data analytics in Transport 2	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 07	Data analytics in Transport 2	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 08	Engineering failures	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 08	Engineering failures	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 09	Loads in buildings	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 09	Loads in buildings	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 10	Load paths in buildings	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 10	Load paths in buildings	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 11	Design in buildings	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 11	Design in buildings	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 12	Construction in buildings	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 12	Construction in buildings	Tutorial (2 hr)
Week 13	Exam revision	Lecture (2 hr)
Week 13	Exam revision	Tutorial (2 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Attendance at tutorial sessions is compulsory and will be recorded. If you are not at the correct tutorial (as per your University generated timetable) you will be marked absent. If you miss more than 20% of the tutorials you will not have met the attendance requirements and may fail the unit of study with a maximum mark of 45% (alternately, at the discretion of the unit-coordinator, additional assessment items may be set if you miss more than 20% of tutorials).

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.

Required readings

Technical Drawing with Engineering Graphics, 15th Edition
Frederick E. Giesecke et al, Pearson.
All required content will be provided on Canvas. The library has electronic access to the full text should you wish to read further.

Learning outcomes

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.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

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

LO1. produce clear, concise written explanations of basic engineering principles
LO2. produce engineering drawings to communicate technical ideas
LO3. appreciate teamwork aspects of engineering work
LO4. appreciate practical problem-solving aspects of civil engineering
LO5. undertake elementary applications of basic science and engineering concepts in civil engineering
LO6. undertake and report on calculation tasks.
LO7. apply mathematical and statistical approaches to solving engineering problems

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
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

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

Centroids topic has been expanded

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.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

CIVL1900: Introduction to Civil Engineering

Semester 1, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect