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Unit of study_

MECH4660: Engineering Management

Semester 1, 2022 [Normal day] - Remote

This unit aims to develop an understanding of the principles of management as applies particularly to the engineering and industrial settings. It aims to provide knowledge of the principles and tools that can assist communication, supervision, project management, team membership, decision making and risk management. At the end of this unit students will be able to understand different management practices and approaches applicable to a broad range of environments. In the process they will develop greater skills in team work, written expression, and verbal presentation. The concepts covered in this unit are from the following management areas: Engineers and Management - including ethics, Communication and People in Organisations, Economics, Leadership, Managerial Decision Analysis, Marketing, Business Planning, Legal Environment of Business, Risk Management, Human Resource Management, Project Management, Quality Assurance and Management, Operations Management, and Financial Management.

Unit details and rules

Unit code MECH4660
Academic unit Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points 6
Prohibitions
? 
MECH3661 or AERO3660 or MECH2660 or MECH4601
Prerequisites
? 
None
Corequisites
? 
None
Assumed knowledge
? 

None

Available to study abroad and exchange students

Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator Matthew Cleary, m.cleary@sydney.edu.au
Type Description Weight Due Length
Final exam (Take-home short release) Type D final exam Final exam
Final exam
50% Formal exam period 2 hours
Outcomes assessed: LO2 LO4 LO5
Tutorial quiz Quiz 1
Quiz on lecture material.
5% Week 04 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO4
Assignment Assignment 1
Essay based on activities on topic to be announced.
20% Week 07 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Tutorial quiz Quiz 2
Quiz on lecture material.
5% Week 10 1 hour
Outcomes assessed: LO4
Assignment Assignment 2
Essay based on activities on topic to be announced.
20% Week 12 n/a
Outcomes assessed: LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7
Type D final exam = Type D final exam ?

Assessment summary

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 Course introduction, overview and management theory, professional ethics. Lecture (3 hr) LO2
Week 02 Communication skills Lecture (3 hr) LO3 LO7
Week 03 Introduction to accounting & financial statements Overview of Australian legal, regulatory and statutory issues. Lecture (3 hr) LO2 LO4
Week 04 Capital decision making models and DCF analysis. Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5
Week 05 Ethics and social responsibility. Lecture (3 hr) LO2
Research for Essay assignment 1 Independent study (30 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO7
Week 06 Management skill sets, Leadership. Lecture (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 07 Problem resolution strategies, managing conflict and negotiation. Lecture (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4
Week 08 Sustainability issues and environmental considerations. Lecture (3 hr) LO2 LO4 LO5
Week 09 Industrial relations, Work health and safety issues. Lecture (3 hr) LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5
Research for Essay assignment Independent study (30 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO7
Week 10 Intellectual property, Total quality management. Lecture (3 hr) LO2
Week 11 Project management, Contract management. Lecture (3 hr) LO5 LO6
Week 12 Operations management. Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO4 LO5 LO6
Week 13 Open question and answer forum and review of course. Lecture (3 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6
Study of material and research in references provided. Independent study (40 hr) LO1 LO2 LO3 LO4 LO5 LO6 LO7

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. acquire relevant data, process and analyse the information to manage some technology issue within the contemporary Australian industry
  • LO2. demonstrate familiarity of the Australian legislative requirements for workplace safety and manufacturing efficiency as well as analyse Australian industry practices in the global context
  • LO3. use various communication media to enhance self-learning; make effective use of communication skills to critique, negotiate, create and communicate understanding; and interact and relate to others
  • LO4. understand the fundamentals of management
  • LO5. risk management methodology, and decision making skills
  • LO6. use project management tools
  • LO7. Write a concise technical engineering report.

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.

First time 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.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.