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Unit of study_

MECH1560: Introduction to Mechanical Engineering

Semester 1, 2020 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Objectives: a) To develop an understanding of the role of Mechanical Engineers and the core concepts within the discipline. b) To understand the content of the degree structure and how the subjects are applied. c) To develop an understanding of a range of machining and manufacturing processes required to make mechanical components. Introductory Mechanical Engineering (60%): The subject introduces the core mechanical engineering concepts of design and mechanisms, intelligent systems, applied materials and fluid machinery. An overview is provided of the range of roles and the skills and knowledge required of a Mechanical Engineer. Emphasis is placed on the relationship between the subjects in the degree program and how they are applied by practicing engineers. Manufacturing Technology (40%): An overview of a range of processes related to the design and manufacture of aerospace components is provided through hands-on experience. Manufacturing Technology practical work is undertaken in: (a) Hand tools, Machining, and Welding - an introduction to basic manufacturing processes used to fabricate mechanical engineering hardware. Safety requirements: All students are required to provide their own personal protective equipment (PPE) and comply with the workshop safety rules provided in class. Students who fail to do this will not be permitted to enter the workshops. In particular, approved industrial footwear must be worn, and long hair must be protected by a hair net. Safety glasses must be worn at all times. (b) Solid Modelling - the use of computer aided design (CAD) tools to model geometry and create engineering drawings of engineering components. (c) Microcontrollers - ubiquitous in modern engineered products - will be introduced through experiential learning with development kits.

Unit details and rules

Unit code MECH1560
Academic unit Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
AERO1560 OR MTRX1701 OR ENGG1800 OR CIVL1900 OR CHNG1108 OR AMME1960 OR BMET1960 OR ENGG1960
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

No

Teaching staff

Coordinator Paul Briozzo, paul.briozzo@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Skills-based evaluation Workshop skills
Workshop skill development
40% Multiple weeks n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO5 LO4
Assignment Statics & Dynamics
12% Week 07
Due date: 10 Apr 2020 at 23:00
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO6 LO7 LO8
Assignment Materials
6% Week 08
Due date: 24 Apr 2020 at 23:00
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO5 LO6 LO7
Assignment Manufacturing
6% Week 09
Due date: 01 May 2020 at 23:00
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO5 LO6
Assignment Fluid Mechanics 1 & 2
12% Week 11
Due date: 15 May 2020 at 23:00
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO6 LO7
Assignment Graphics - Detail & Assembly Drawings
12% Week 13
Due date: 29 May 2020 at 23:00
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO6 LO8 LO7
Assignment Thermodynamics 1 & 2
12% Week 13
Due date: 29 May 2020 at 23:00
n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO3 LO6 LO7

Assessment summary

  • Workshop skills: will test your ability to work appropriately and safely with hand tools, machining, welding, fibreglassing, solidworks and Arduino
  • Assignments: require you to integrate information from lectures and tutorials 
  • Quizzes: will test your understanding of material covered in the preceding half of the unit.

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).

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.

Result name

Mark range

Description

High distinction

85 - 100

 

Distinction

75 - 84

 

Credit

65 - 74

 

Pass

50 - 64

 

Fail

0 - 49

When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard.

For more information see sydney.edu.au/students/guide-to-grades.

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.

WK Topic Learning activity Learning outcomes
Week 01 Wednesday: Introduction to course; Mr. Paul Briozzo Thursday: Introduction to Workshops; Prof. Steve Armfield Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO7
Week 02 Wednesday: Graphics / Free Hand Sketching - Mr. Paul Briozzo Thursday: Free Session Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO6 LO7
Week 03 Wednesday: Graphics / Detail Drawings - Mr. Paul Briozzo Thursday: Free Session Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 LO6 LO7
Week 04 Wednesday: Creativity - Dr. Jasmine Araci (UTS) Thursday: Free Session Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO6 LO7
Week 05 Wednesday: Introduction to Statics - Dr. Abdulmalik Altaee Thursday: Free Session Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO6
Week 06 Wednesday: Introduction to Dynamics - Dr. Abdulmalik Altaee Thursday: Free Session Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO6
Week 07 Wednesday: Materials - Mr. Paul Briozzo Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO6
Week 08 Wednesday: Manufacturing Engineering - Mr. Paul Briozzo Thursday: Free Session Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO5
Week 09 Wednesday: Introduction to Fluid Mechanics 1 - Prof. Steve Armfield Thursday: Workshop Session or Free Session (Check Timetable) Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 10 Wednesday: Introduction to Fluid Mechanics 2 - Prof. Steve Armfield Thursday: Workshop Session or Free Session (Check Timetable) Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 11 Wednesday: Introduction to Thermodynamics 1 - A/Prof. Michael Kirkpatrick Thursday: Workshop Session or Free Session (Check Timetable) Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3 LO4 LO5
Week 12 Wednesday: Introduction to Thermodynamics 2 - A/Prof. Michael Kirkpatrick Thursday: Free Session Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO3
Week 13 Wednesday: Professional Engineering Practice - Mr. Rob Widders Thursday: Lecture and tutorial (3 hr) LO2 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.

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. Enhance oral communication skills by presenting in front of a group
  • LO2. Understand some of the fundamentals of machinery and equipment common to mechanical engineering by researching some common machines and machine components
  • LO3. Apply some introductory analysis techniques and problem solving methods by using basic statics, dynamics, and thermodynamics to analyse, size and design very simple machines
  • LO4. Develop basic skills in the use of manufacturing processes
  • LO5. Understand how a range of machining and manufacturing processes are used to make mechanical components and to have hands-on experience with some of them.
  • LO6. Obtain a broad knowledge of the types of sub-disciplines within mechanical engineering
  • LO7. Understand the role of a graduate mechanical engineer
  • LO8. Develop a high-level understanding of the course content and curriculum within the mechanical engineering degree

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

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes Competency standards
LO1
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
3.1. An ability to communicate with the engineering team and the community at large.
LO2
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
1.2. Tackling technically challenging problems from first principles.
5.3. Skills in the selection and characterisation of engineering systems, devices, components and materials.
5.5. Skills in the development and application of mathematical, physical and conceptual models, understanding of applicability and shortcomings.
LO3
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
4.5. An ability to undertake problem solving, design and project work within a broad contextual framework accommodating social, cultural, ethical, legal, political, economic and environmental responsibilities as well as within the principles of sustainable development and health and safety imperatives.
5.1. An appreciation of the scientific method, the need for rigour and a sound theoretical basis.
LO4
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
1.1. Developing underpinning capabilities in mathematics, physical, life and information sciences and engineering sciences, as appropriate to the designated field of practice.
2.1. Appropriate range and depth of learning in the technical domains comprising the field of practice informed by national and international benchmarks.
LO5
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
1.1. Developing underpinning capabilities in mathematics, physical, life and information sciences and engineering sciences, as appropriate to the designated field of practice.
4.1. Advanced level skills in the structured solution of complex and often ill defined problems.
LO6
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
2.2. Application of enabling skills and knowledge to problem solution in these technical domains.
2.3. Meaningful engagement with current technical and professional practices and issues in the designated field.
3.1. An ability to communicate with the engineering team and the community at large.
3.6. An ability to function as an individual and as a team leader and member in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams.
LO7
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
3.7. A capacity for lifelong learning and professional development and appropriate professional attitudes.
4.4. Skills in implementing and managing engineering projects within the bounds of time, budget, performance and quality assurance requirements.
5.8. Skills in recognising unsuccessful outcomes, sources of error, diagnosis, fault-finding and re-engineering.
5.9. Skills in documenting results, analysing credibility of outcomes, critical reflection, developing robust conclusions, reporting outcomes.
LO8
Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - EAPI
3.1. An ability to communicate with the engineering team and the community at large.
3.7. A capacity for lifelong learning and professional development and appropriate professional attitudes.
4.2. Ability to use a systems approach to complex problems, and to design and operational performance.

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

No significant changes have been made since this unit was last offered

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

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