Monash University Handbook 2011 Undergraduate - Unit

Refer to the specific census and withdrawal dates for the semester(s) in which this unit is offered.

Synopsis

Students undertake a self-guided learning task in the form of a project.
Projects may be a single semester or (in conjunction with MEC4402) a full year in length [Enrolment by Departmental approval only]. Projects will consist of either a design, theoretical, or experimental investigation. The project may be undertaken either within the Department or externally with a company or research organization. In either case, an academic member of staff will act as the supervisor. While some projects may benefit from group based work it is expected that students will work individually on each project.

Objectives

On successful completion of the unit students will be able to:

1. Conduct an independent, scientifically based research project under broad direction;
2. Develop a research plan based on scientific methodologies and sound research practices taking into account assessment of risk factors;
3. Apply sound scientific method and research practices to undertake project work;
4. Manage a research project effectively within technical, budgetary, risk and time constraints;
5. Undertake an extensive review of relevant scientific literature and critically analyse its relevance to the project work being proposed;
6. Utilize data acquisition tools, data analysis and\or other technological tools effectively;
7. Justify the validity of their findings by quantifying errors in their technique;
8. Communicate their findings to a professional audience;
9. Apply techniques of scientific theory to provide logical reasoning and hypothesis testing to justify their results.

Assessment

Full semester project-based work.

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Mark Thompson

Contact hours

1 hour lecture and 11 hours of private sudy per week.

Prerequisites

Must have passed 36 credit points at level three in the engineering component of the course.

Co-requisites

None

Prohibitions

MAE4901