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Unit outline_

CSYS5051: Complex Systems Capstone Project B

Semester 1, 2021 [Supervision] - Remote

The capstone project aims to provide students with the opportunity to carry out a defined piece of independent workplace related research and assessment in a way that fosters the development of practical research skills relevant to Complex Systems. Students will work individually or in small groups on an assigned project, focussed on modelling a complex problem or delivering a novel solution. The concepts covered depend on the nature of the project. The project could be directly tied to student's area of specialisation (major), or to their vocational objectives or interests. Students with expertise in a specific industry sector may be invited to partner with relevant team projects. The project outcomes will be presented in a report that is clear, coherent and logically structured. The project will be judged on the extent and quality of the student's original work and particularly how critical, perceptive and constructive they have been in assessing their work and that of others, in integrating cross-disciplinary complex systems concepts. Students will also be required to present the results of their findings to their peers and supervisors either face to face or by production of a video or other recorded presentation. The skills acquired will be invaluable to students progressing their careers in major multi-national research and development companies, government and crisis management agencies, and large health, construction and transport organisations. Students are expected to take the initiative when pursuing their capstone projects.

Unit details and rules

Academic unit Civil Engineering
Credit points 6
Prerequisites
? 
CSYS5010
Corequisites
? 
CSYS5050. Capstone A is meant to be done before or in parallel with Capstone B
Prohibitions
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Mikhail Prokopenko, mikhail.prokopenko@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Presentation Presentation
50% Week 13 N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO8 LO7 LO6 LO5 LO4 LO3 LO2
Assignment Report
50% Week 13 N/A
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

Assessment summary

  • Report:  A professionally technical report outlining the project outcomes, outputs and process, including methodologies selected, requirement analysis, design decisions, implementation details, observations, integration and testing details, results, output, and recommendations for future work
  • Presentation: A presentation submitted online (e.g., powerpoint). Both components are due at the end of the semester and shall carry equal weight. Opportunities for peer evaluation will be provided.

Detailed information for each assessment can be found on Canvas.

Assessment criteria

The University awards common result grades, set out in the Coursework Policy 2014 (Schedule 1).

The University uses standards-based criteria for assessment, such that marking standards and grade descriptors are used to assess your demonstration of learning outcomes on set assessments. 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.

Grade

Descriptors

Explanation / Interpretation

High distinction 
(85-100)

Work of exceptional
standard

Mastery of topics showing extensive integration and ability to transfer knowledge to novel contexts; treatment of tasks shows an advanced synthesis of ideas; demonstration of initiative, complex understanding and analysis; work is very well presented; all criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to an outstanding level.

Distinction
(75-84)

Work of superior
standard
Excellent achievement, consistent evidence of deep understanding and application of knowledge in medical science; treatment of tasks shows advanced understanding of topics; demonstration of initiative, complex understanding and analysis; work is well-presented; all criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to a superior level.

Credit
(65-74)

Competent work
demonstrating potential
for higher study

Confident in explaining medical science processes, with evidence of solid understanding and achievement; occasional lapses indicative of unresolved issues; treatment of tasks shows a good understanding of topic; work is well-presented with a minimum of errors; all criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to a high level.

Pass
(50-64)

Work of acceptable
standard

Satisfactory level of engagement with and understanding of topic; some inconsistencies in understanding and knowledge of medical science; work is adequately presented, with some errors or omissions, most criteria addressed and learning outcomes achieved to an adequate level.

Fail
(<50)

Work not of acceptable
standard

Unsatisfactory achievement and engagement with the medical science discipline; inadequate understanding or fundamental misunderstanding of topics; most criteria and learning outcomes not clearly or adequately addressed or achieved; lack of effort/involvement in the unit.

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
Week 01 Introduction to Capstone and planning session (note: can use Skype for non-local students) Workshop (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8
Progress meetings One-to-one tuition (1 hr) LO3 LO6 LO7
Week 13 Presentation and feedback session Seminar (2 hr) LO3
Weekly Planning, research and implementation Independent study (6 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7 LO8

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.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed through the Library eReserve, available on Canvas.

  •  Robert Sedgewick, Kevin Wayne – Algorithms. 978-0321573513
  • John W. Satzinger, Robert B. Jackson, Stephen D. Burd – Systems Analysis and Design in a Changing World. 978-1305117204

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. run a medium sized project effectively by demonstrating appropriate division of labour, regular meetings, innovation, analysis of complex ideas, comparison of design ideas, effective and timely implementation, appropriate testing and integration, effective communication and presentation
  • LO2. effectively work as part of a project team and communicate complex concepts requited to complex system analysis, design and implementation to other project members, academics, industry stakeholders
  • LO3. conduct yourselves professionally during the course of the project in order to complete it within time and by producing high quality outcomes
  • LO4. write technical reports, papers and other technical/academic documents, which convey the results of the project, and to prepare presentation and media which conveys the same
  • LO5. compare alternative designs and modify design of the complex system during the course of the project
  • LO6. use literature review to understand the current state-of-the-art in complex systems analysis and apply such knowledge effectively in the project
  • LO7. design complex systems in a given context that satisfy the requirements of the project
  • LO8. use advanced programming skills to analyse, understand and simulate the dynamics of complex systems

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.

This is the first time I'm coordinating this unit.

Disclaimer

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