Undergraduate - UnitECE4099 - Professional practice

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

Synopsis

This unit will cover topics relevant to engineers working in a business environment, particularly in management, focusing on recent case studies. Areas covered include management of individuals, teams and organisations, management philosophy and practical techniques. Financial management will be discussed, including company objectives, accounting fundamentals, and financial planning and control. Marketing will follow, including business planning, quality and quality control. Relevant legal issues will be covered, including intellectual property, contract and negligence. This will be drawn together in discussing the role of the professional engineer, ethical behaviour and decision making.

Outcomes

To understand the role of an engineer as a manager - skills, styles, technique.
To learn about and understand organisations - types, structures, operations.
To understand accounting fundamentals.
To understanding the basics of marketing principles.
To experience and learn techniques for strategic business planning.
To understand some of the legal issues relevant to engineers.
To identify and inculcate the elements of professional behaviour, in particular the Engineering Code of Ethics.
To identify and learn key skills required to effectively perform the role of a manager.
To learn to operate effectively in a dynamic business environment.
To learn to use financial information to enhance business decision making.
To develop and utilise effective strategic plans using advanced planning techniques.
To come to understand important legal aspects of contract, negligence and intellectual property with relevance to the engineering profession and in the context of the engineering code of ethics.
To gain an appreciation of the value of planning.
To identify with ethical business behaviour.

Assessment

Continuous assessment: 30%
Examination: (3 hours) 70%.
Students are required to achieve at least 45% in the total continuous assessment component (assignments, tests, mid-semester exams, laboratory reports) and at least 45% in the final examination component and an overall mark of 50% to achieve a pass grade in the unit. Students failing to achieve this requirement will be given a maximum of 45% in the unit.

Chief examiner(s)

Professor Jamie Evans

Contact hours

3 hours lectures, 2 hours laboratory and practice classes and 7 hours of private study per week

Prohibitions

ECE4908, TEC3193 and TRC4002