Skip to main content
Unit of study_

AMME9450: Design and Production

Semester 1, 2024 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

This unit of study will provide students with an overview of the engineering design and manufacturing/production processes, with a focus on advanced manufacturing. The unit is intended to attract students from any discipline within the University. The core pedagogical method used in this unit is the adoption of the think make do approach to engineering design and design thinking, with students experiencing the general engineering design cycle of; problem definition, requirements generation, solution generation/ideation and evaluation, prototyping, testing, refinement, production etc. Students will have access to the School of AMME's Fablab to enable students to create prototypes as part of their major project design project.

Unit details and rules

Unit code AMME9450
Academic unit Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
AMME2450
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Rod Fiford, rod.fiford@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Participation Active participation
Active participation in tutorials, studios and online discussion forums
10% Ongoing N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Sketch 1
Sketch - Hand drawn sketch of object chosen by student.
5% Week 03
Due date: 05 Mar 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 19 Mar 2024
2 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO6 LO8
Assignment hurdle task Design critique report
Design critique - Report critiquing an existing product design.
20% Week 05
Due date: 24 Mar 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 07 Apr 2024
10 Pages max.
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment group assignment Requirements analysis report
Requirements analysis - Report detailing requirements analysis.
10% Week 07
Due date: 09 Apr 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 23 Apr 2024
10 Pages max.
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2 LO1 LO7
Assignment Sketch 2
Sketch - Hand drawn sketch of object chosen by student.
5% Week 08
Due date: 16 Apr 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 30 Apr 2024
2 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO6 LO8
Creative assessment / demonstration hurdle task group assignment Prototype
Prototype - Physical and virtual prototype of product chosen by group
20% Week 12
Due date: 14 May 2024 at 10:10

Closing date: 14 May 2024
N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO2
Assignment Sketch 3
Sketch - Hand drawn sketch of object chosen by student.
5% Week 12
Due date: 14 May 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 28 May 2024
2 pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO6 LO8
Presentation group assignment Product video/presentation
Video/Presentation - Presentation of groups' major project outcomes
10% Week 13
Due date: 20 May 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 20 May 2024
Video 2mins max plus presentation 4-5min
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment group assignment Design report
Design report - Report outlining design process for group major project
15% Week 13
Due date: 24 May 2024 at 23:59

Closing date: 07 Jun 2024
15-20 Pages
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
hurdle task = hurdle task ?
group assignment = group assignment ?

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

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 an exceptional 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.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

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.

Support for students

The Support for Students Policy 2023 reflects the University’s commitment to supporting students in their academic journey and making the University safe for students. It is important that you read and understand this policy so that you are familiar with the range of support services available to you and understand how to engage with them.

The University uses email as its primary source of communication with students who need support under the Support for Students Policy 2023. Make sure you check your University email regularly and respond to any communications received from the University.

Learning resources and detailed information about weekly assessment and learning activities can be accessed via Canvas. It is essential that you visit your unit of study Canvas site to ensure you are up to date with all of your tasks.

If you are having difficulties completing your studies, or are feeling unsure about your progress, we are here to help. You can access the support services offered by the University at any time:

Support and Services (including health and wellbeing services, financial support and learning support)
Course planning and administration
Meet with an Academic Adviser

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Ongoing Weekly independent study and research (5 hours per week) Independent study (65 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 01 Online pre-work: Introduction to the engineering design process; Creativity and design; Sketching/drawing techniques Online class (1 hr) LO5 LO6 LO8
Ice breaker activities; Introduction to Solidworks Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO6
Makerspace safety inductions Studio (2 hr) LO3 LO6
Week 02 Online pre-work: Problem definition; Design thinking and ideation; Design critiquing Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Existing design critique; Sketching exercises Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Design thinking & brainstorming/ideation exercises; Makerspace equipment training Studio (2 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 03 Online pre-work: User design requirements; Engineering requirements; Introduction to engineering production processes Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6
User requirements vs engineering requirements Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Major project team formation; deconstruction activity Studio (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 04 Online pre-work: Engineering design cycle; Design/idea conceptualisation/generation Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Design cycle case study Tutorial (2 hr) LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Introduction to major project; Team formation; Problem exploration/discovery Studio (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 05 Online pre-work: Conceptual design evaluation (trade off tables etc); Basic engineering materials considerations Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Design concept evaluation, decision matrices, trade off tables Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO7 LO8
Requirements analysis project work Studio (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO8
Week 06 Online pre-work: Prototyping; Design for manufacture Online class (1 hr) LO5 LO6 LO8
Prototyping methods/techniques; Virtual prototyping Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Prototyping activity Studio (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO8
Week 07 Online pre-work: Design communication Online class (1 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO8
Design communication – sketching, CAD etc. Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO5 LO6 LO8
Prototyping activity Studio (2 hr) LO1 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO8
Week 08 Online pre-work: Testing and verification Online class (1 hr) LO3 LO5 LO6 LO8
Requirements verification Tutorial (2 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Major project work Studio (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 09 Online pre-work: Supply chains, sustainability Online class (1 hr) LO3 LO6
Supply chains, sustainability Tutorial (2 hr) LO3 LO5 LO6
Major project work Studio (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 10 Online pre-work: Tradition/common engineering production processes Online class (1 hr) LO3 LO6 LO8
Production processes Tutorial (2 hr) LO6 LO8
Major project work Studio (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 11 Online pre-work: Advanced/modern production processes Independent study (1 hr) LO5 LO6 LO8
Advanced production processes Tutorial (2 hr) LO6 LO8
Major project work Studio (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 12 Online pre-work: design case studies Online class (1 hr) LO5 LO6 LO7
Major project work Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Video presentations (Assessment) Studio (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Week 13 Online pre-work: future/advanced design techniques Online class (1 hr) LO5 LO6 LO8
Major project work Tutorial (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Major project work Studio (2 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

Attendance and class requirements

Students are required to attend and actively participate in all tutorials and studio sessions

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. Communicate effectively with various stakeholders in multiple formats, and to have improved your research and inquiry based learning skills.
  • LO2. Develop and improve your project management/planning and team work skills.
  • LO3. Work with professional effectiveness and demonstrate ethical conduct.
  • LO4. Work inclusively with students from multiple disciplines.
  • LO5. Understand basic principles of design and production and be able to design and prototype objects.
  • LO6. Gain specialisation in engineering related to design and production processes.
  • LO7. Develop inventiveness skills to help you perform effective problem solving.
  • LO8. Gain understanding of various math and science based engineering methods and tools.

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.

Assignments adjusted based on last USS feedback.

Sparkplus is used for peer evaluation and feedback of groupwork. Individual marks for groupwork are weighted based on Sparkplus ratings.

 

 

Work, health and safety

Safety inductions will be required for use of the AMME Makerspace. Safety glasses required for some equipment

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.