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Unit outline_

MECH2401: Human-Centred Engineering Design

Semester 2, 2021 [Normal day] - Remote

MECH2401 aims to integrate various less technical aspects of industrial design, with a focus on designing for humans. Elements of human ergonomics, industrial design, creativity, problem solving, critical thinking, team project work, marketing and product development form the basis for the unit of study. The unit is predominantly delivered in a studio learning environment, with involvement of industry practitioners and a major team project based on the creative design of products for human use. Group based problem solving and a project based studio learning environment form the core basis for student learning.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

MECH1560 AND MECH1400

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Rod Fiford, rod.fiford@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s) Rod Fiford, rod.fiford@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Take-home extended release) Type E final exam Exam
Take home exam - 48hrs
30% Formal exam period 48 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Assignment Existing design research and critique report
Existing design research and critique/analysis written formal report
20% Week 04
Due date: 05 Sep 2021 at 23:59
Details on Canvas 6-10 pages.
Outcomes assessed: LO7 LO10
Assignment group assignment Major design project: preliminary report
Major design project: preliminary written formal report
15% Week 07
Due date: 24 Sep 2021 at 23:59
See Canvas for details. 10-15 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO11 LO10 LO9 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Ergonomics assignment/report
Ergonomics assignment/report
10% Week 09
Due date: 17 Oct 2021 at 23:59
Details on Canvas 3-5 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO8 LO9 LO11 LO12
Presentation group assignment Major design product video & presentation
Major design video and talk. Video due midnight Tue, talk in studio.
10% Week 12
Due date: 02 Nov 2021 at 23:59
Video 2-3 minutes Talk 7-8 minutes
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Assignment group assignment Major design project: final report
Major design project: final written formal report
15% Week 13
Due date: 12 Nov 2021 at 23:59
See Canvas for details. 15-25 pages.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
group assignment = group assignment ?
Type E final exam = Type E final exam ?

Assessment summary

  • Existing design research and critique/analysis report: Students are required to submit a technical report describing and analysing the design of an existing product, identifying flaws/issues and proposing potential solutions to these flaws/issues.
  • Ergonomics assignment: Students are required to submit a technical analytical report assessing the students’ understanding of ergonomic principles and human factor considerations in design.
  • Major design project: preliminary report: Students are required to submit a technical report presenting the team’s progress, planning processes and background research/design of their proposed design problem solution.
  • Major design project: final report: Technical report presenting the team’s final design solution and describing the processes and decision that led to the formulation of the final design solution.
  • Major design product: video and talk: Group product video and talk where team presents their proposed solution.
  • Exam: Formal take home (48hr) open book examination to assess students’ understanding of course material.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Sparklpus is used for self and peer feedback for group activites and marks may be adjusted based on Sparkplus results.

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.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Ongoing 6 hours per week of independent study, research etc. Independent study (72 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Week 01 Introduction to unit of study, creativity in design Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO7 LO10
Week 02 Empathy and user requirements Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO7 LO10 LO11
Week 03 Conceptual design & product design specifications - Introduction to major project Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO7 LO10
Week 04 Critical thinking, analysis and design evaluation Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO7 LO9 LO10 LO12
Week 05 Industrial design and design methodologies Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO12
Week 06 Ergonomics and human factors Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO7 LO9 LO10 LO12
Week 07 Ergonomics and human factors Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Week 08 Testing, prototyping & validation Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO8 LO9 LO11 LO12
Week 09 Stakeholder expectations Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Week 10 Communication & marketing Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO10 LO12
Week 11 Design intent and product delivery Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO4 LO6 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO12
Week 12 The concept of "total design" Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO5 LO8 LO9 LO12
Week 13 Course summary & revision Lecture and tutorial (2 hr) LO2 LO5 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Weekly 2 hour weekly studio sessions related to previous lecture and time for group work on major project. Studio (26 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8 LO9 LO10 LO11 LO12
Project group work independent of studio sessions. Project (13 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6

Attendance and class requirements

Sparkplus will be used to adjust student individual marks for group assignments, active contribution to group activities and in particular the studio sessions is required.

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. work effectively with other students in a small team
  • LO2. interact professionally with industry practitioners, tutors and class mates
  • LO3. plan and manage projects
  • LO4. work with fellow students as part of a small team
  • LO5. communicate engineered design solutions to problems both orally and in written form
  • LO6. communicate within project teams
  • LO7. perform research to analyse existing products, market demands/expectations, engineering standards and product viability
  • LO8. apply engineering knowledge and techniques to create technically feasible solutions to problems
  • LO9. apply engineering knowledge and techniques to create products suitable for use by humans
  • LO10. apply creative thought processes to generate ideas, solve problems and develop products
  • LO11. apply basic analytical engineering processes to help develop design solutions
  • LO12. apply principles of ergonomics and industrial design to create products for human use.

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 to major project, re-arrangement of assessment tasks

Work, health and safety

Students must follow relevant safety protocols if using AMME workshop or maker space/fablab spaces.

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.