TECH605 - Engineering Technologies

Year

Credit points

Campus offering

Prerequisites

TECH504 Electromechanical Technologies

Unit rationale, description and aim

All students benefit from being able to solve problems through systems, design, and computational thinking and being able to safely design, use, and evaluate the engineering technologies that shape our world. To align their work to the Australian Curriculum: Design and Technologies, and to function as secondary teaching professionals in the Technologies discipline, students must undertake a sequence of technologies units to acquire conceptual, procedural and professional skills and knowledge in design technologies.

In this unit students will develop subject content knowledge and skills in engineering, electronics, electromechanical technologies, control systems, programming, design, and manufacture and how these can be applied in various contexts. These key engineering aspects will be studied in past, present, and emerging contexts, and the role of modern engineering on global sustainability, society, ethics, and the environment will be evaluated through review of examples and case-studies. Modern societal and environmental challenges such as those relating to artificial intelligence and alternative energy and their relationship with preferred futures will be contextualised. Practical engineering skills will be developed through the design and manufacture of electronically controlled products using a range of techniques and industrial materials including CAD/ CAM technologies. The combination of technical knowledge and practical skills developed will lead to research-informed teaching practice.

The aim of this unit is for students to apply their knowledge and skills in engineering technologies, electronics, control systems, and programming to the design, manufacture, programming and testing of mechatronic engineering technologies.

Learning outcomes

To successfully complete this unit you will be able to demonstrate you have achieved the learning outcomes (LO) detailed in the below table.

Each outcome is informed by a number of graduate capabilities (GC) to ensure your work in this, and every unit, is part of a larger goal of graduating from ACU with the attributes of insight, empathy, imagination and impact.

Explore the graduate capabilities.

On successful completion of this unit, students should be able to:

LO1 - Systematically define the principles and processes of engineering, electronics, and control theory, and how these align with careers in these industries (GA5, GA6, GA8; APST 2.1)

LO2 - Interpret and illustrate electromechanical systems through acquisition and application of advanced engineering skills to provide solutions to complex problems, communicating these ideas through technical drawings and reports for a variety of audiences (GA5, GA8, GA10; APST 2.1)

LO3 - Design, manufacture, and manage projects independently to apply technical and creative skills using electromechanical principles, processes, and instruments with a range of materials, tools, and equipment competently and safely, including robotics, control technology, and CAD/ CAM technologies (GA4, GA5, GA10; APST 2.1, 4.4)

LO4 - Critically analyse and evaluate electromechanical systems and engineering projects, also reflecting on the role of modern engineering on global sustainability, society, ethics, and the environment and how modern technologies such as AI and alternative energy are contested within the scope of preferred futures (GA1, GA2, GA3; APST 2.1, 4.4)

LO5 - Communicate advanced engineering knowledge and technical skills through high-level planning and design of a learning program within Design and Technologies which applies the principles and processes of engineering and electronics, and is guided by relevant Australian teaching standards and professional engagement (GA3, GA5, GA8; APST 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 2.6, 4.4)

Graduate attributes

GA1 - Demonstrate respect for the dignity of each individual and for human diversity

GA2 - Recognise their responsibility to the common good, the environment and society 

GA3 - Apply ethical perspectives in informed decision making

GA4 - Think critically and reflectively 

GA5 - Demonstrate values, knowledge, skills and attitudes appropriate to the discipline and/or profession 

GA6 - Solve problems in a variety of settings taking local and international perspectives into account

GA8 - Locate, organise, analyse, synthesise and evaluate information 

GA10 - Utilise information and communication and other relevant technologies effectively.

AUSTRALIAN PROFESSIONAL STANDARDS FOR TEACHERS - GRADUATE LEVEL

On successful completion of this unit, pre-service teachers should be able to:

Content

Topics will include:

Engineering Analysis

• Inspection and measurement tools and methods
• Analysing and graphing data with spreadsheets
• Interpreting data and deriving meaning

Engineering Materials

• Material properties and definitions
• Material selection and considerations

Control System Design

• Open-loop vs closed-loop control
• Typical controllers, e.g. bang-bang, PID, etc.
• Controller selection and design

Advanced Microcontroller Use and Programming

• Implementation of low-level control, e.g. bang-bang, PID, etc.
• Digital communication, e.g. serial, I2C, etc.
• Data acquisition and logging
• Sensors and actuators

Engineering Design with Robotics Focus

• Following the engineering method of design to arrive at optimal design solutions to a provided robotics challenge/ problem
• Producing engineering drawings and conveying ideas
• Using CAD/ CAM software for design and manufacture
• CNC manufacture (subtractive and additive), e.g. CNC or manual routers, laser cutting, 3D printing
• ePortfolio development

Applications and Implications of Modern Technologies

• Past, present, and emerging information and communications technologies
• Artificial intelligence (AI)
• Virtual and augmented reality (AR and VR)
• Emerging applications in industry and society and implications

Energy Production

• Fundamentals of energy production, conversion, and storage
• Conventional energy production and modern alternatives
• Preferred futures for power systems and alternative energy

Engineering in the Modern World

• Present and emerging engineering careers
• Project management
• Global sustainability
• Preferred futures for engineering: societal, ethical, and environmental considerations

Engineering Learning Management

• Putting theory into practice
• Learning through authentic practical experience
• Safety and risk management
• Material and resource budgeting, selection, and storage

Learning and teaching strategy and rationale

A student-focussed, project-based learning approach is utilised in this unit. Students encounter concepts and principles of engineering technologies and electromechanical systems design theory through interactive lectures. Concepts are discussed and broadened through analysis of specific case studies and further informed by independent research during development of design projects. In practical workshops students design, manufacture and evaluate electronic, mechanical and mechatronic engineering systems components. Issues in mechatronic engineering systems design and manufacture are introduced through a practice-oriented learning method. This method involves the parallel development of procedural and conceptual skills required for design, development and documentation of engineering technologies, mechatronic and electromechanical systems. Students develop solutions to mechatronic and electromechanical system design problems using a design thinking methodology and a user-centred design approach. They develop conceptual knowledge in electronics and programming alongside procedural knowledge of engineering systems and manufacturing technologies through practical design projects. Students design, manufacture, communicate and evaluate items against principles of engineering technologies including mechatronic and electromechanical system design. These methods enable the development of conceptual, procedural and professional knowledge and skill which allows students to practice design thinking and problem solving in engineering technologies, mechatronic and electromechanical technologies design contexts and to develop effective teaching strategies to develop knowledge, skills, problem-solving, and critical and creative thinking practice design thinking and problem solving in design technologies contexts.

This is a 10-credit point unit and has been designed to ensure that the time needed to complete the required volume of learning to the requisite standard is approximately 150 hours in total across the semester. To achieve a passing standard in this unit, students will find it helpful to engage in the full range of learning activities and assessments utilised in this unit, as described in the learning and teaching strategy and the assessment strategy. The learning and teaching and assessment strategies include a range of approaches to support your learning such as reading, discussion, video, independent research, design project management, lab reports, workshop logs, report writing, design projects, including design folios etc.

The unit is hosted on a Learning Management System (LMS) site with resources and online links, announcements, and a discussion board to post questions and reflections that promote connection between content and educational experiences.

Mode of delivery: This unit may be offered in different modes to cater to the learning needs and preferences of a range of participants.

On Campus

Most learning activities or classes are delivered at a scheduled time, on campus, to enable in-person interactions. Activities will appear in a student’s timetable.

Multi-mode

Learning activities are delivered through a planned mix of online and in-person classes, which may include full-day sessions and/or placements, to enable interaction. Activities that require attendance will appear in a student’s timetable.

Online unscheduled

Learning activities are accessible anytime, anywhere. These units are normally delivered fully online and will not appear in a student’s timetable. 

Online scheduled

All learning activities are held online, at scheduled times, and will require some attendance to enable online interaction. Activities will appear in a student’s timetable.

ACU Online 

In ACU Online mode, this unit is delivered asynchronously, fully online using an active, guided learning approach. Students are encouraged to contribute to asynchronous weekly discussions. Active learning opportunities provide students with opportunities to practice and apply their learning. Activities encourage students to bring their own examples to demonstrate understanding, application and engage constructively with their peers. Students receive regular and timely feedback on their learning, which includes information on their progress.

Assessment strategy and rationale

The project-based learning strategy employed in this unit is supported by the integration of progressive authentic assessment methods embedded at critical points of the students’ learning. Theoretical conceptual knowledge and practical skills-based knowledge are developed simultaneously in that acquisition and assimilation develops during application in design practices.

In this unit, the method aims to assess students’ achievement of a synthesis between design theory, practice, and application of engineering principles in engineering design and how that relates to society, ethics, and the environment. Therefore, a key assessment method used is project-based learning through major design projects set to accomplish a specific set of objectives, with this assessment including multiple components, namely a design documentation E-portfolio and a designed and manufactured product(s). ePortfolios document students’ design processes and include evidence of project definition, research, ideation, prototyping, iteration, critical evaluation, and risk assessment.

The summative program planning assessment aims to assess students’ application of knowledge and skills (conceptual, procedural, and professional) and competencies holistically using an integrated approach common in design education which focusses on the assessment of an entire design activity rather than specific elements in isolation. Building upon the earlier assessments undertaken by students, to provide them with applicable teaching strategies upon completion of this unit, acquired technical skills are combined with pedagogical practice. This allows students to effectively establish sound teaching practices through mirroring their role in this unit with that of their future students, while also researching and analysing Australian teaching standards for Design and Technology and STEM.

A range of assessment procedures will be used to meet the unit objectives consistent with University assessment requirements. Such procedures may include research reports, a design project with an E-portfolio, and learning-program design. Assessment tasks will address all learning outcomes as well as relevant graduate attributes.

Overview of assessments

Representative texts and references

Bishop, R.H. (2008). Mechatronic systems, sensors and actuators (2nd ed.). CRC Press.

Demirel, Y. (2016). Energy: Production, conversion, storage, conservation and coupling (2nd ed.). Springer International Publishing.

De Silvia, C.W. (2016). Sensors and actuators: Engineering system instrumentation (2nd ed.). Taylor & Francis.

Jones, D.R.H., & Ashby, M.F. (2019). Engineering materials 1: An introduction to properties, applications and design (5th ed.). Butterworth-Heinemann, an imprint of Elsevier.

Müller, V. (2016). Fundamental issues of artificial intelligence. Springer International Publishing.

Murphy, C., Gardoni, P., Bashir, H., Harris Jr., C.E., & Masad, E. (2015). Engineering ethics for a globalized world. Springer.

Parisi, D. (2014). Future robots: Towards a robotic science of human beings. John Benjamins Publishing Company.

Timings, R.L. (2002). Engineering Fundamentals. Newnes.

Schellnhuber, H. J., Molina, M., Stern, N., Huber, V., & Kadner, S. (2010). Global sustainability: A Nobel cause. Cambridge University Press.

Williams, P., & Barlex, D. (2020) Pedagogy for technology education in secondary schools: Research informed perspectives for classroom teachers. Springer Nature.