Outline

Overview

The aim of the unit is to introduce students to microprocessor and microcomputer systems, emphasising assembly language programming and building on the digital logic foundations from first year. In particular, the following subjects are addressed: Introduction to microprocessors, stored-program computer architecture, instruction codes and addressing modes, instruction execution cycle; Memory devices. Computer architecture and assembly language programming. Microprocessor and microcontroller systems, memory and IO interfacing, interrupts and interrupt handling. Serial and parallel communications. System design, documentation, implementation, debugging and testing. MTRX2700 is the introductory course in the basics of real Mechatronic systems. This course builds on knowledge obtained in the courses ENGG1801, MTRX1701, ELEC1103 and MTRX1702, MTRX1705. This course extends this knowledge by introducing students to their first practical applications in Mechatronic Engineering. By passing this subject, the student will have obtained the necessary skills to undertake Mechatronics 3 (MTRX3700).

Unit details and rules

Academic unit	Aerospace, Mechanical and Mechatronic
Credit points	6
Prerequisites ?	MTRX1702 and MTRX1705
Corequisites ?	None
Prohibitions ?	ELEC2601 or ELEC3607
Assumed knowledge ?	MTRX1701
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Stefan Williams, stefan.williams@sydney.edu.au

Assessment

The census date for this unit availability is 31 March 2026

Details
Criteria

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length	Use of AI
Written exam	Final exam Final exam during the formal exam period	40%	Formal exam period	2 hours	AI prohibited
Outcomes assessed:
Out-of-class quiz	Week 3 Quiz Quiz on programming on assembly	3%	Week 03	30 minutes	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Lab assignment 1 The assignment will be assessed in-lab or online at scheduled times	12%	Week 05	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Presentation	Lab assignment 2 The assignment will be assessed in-lab or online at scheduled times	15%	Week 08	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
Written work	Laboratory (major assignment) The assignment will be assessed in-lab or online at scheduled times	30%	Week 13	n/a	AI allowed
Outcomes assessed:
= hurdle task ? = group assignment ? = early feedback task ?

Early feedback task

This unit includes an early feedback task, designed to give you feedback prior to the census date for this unit. Details are provided in the Canvas site and your result will be recorded in your Marks page. It is important that you actively engage with this task so that the University can support you to be successful in this unit.

Assessment summary

The final exam will cover all aspects of the Unit of Study. A mark of 50% or more is required in the Final Exam to pass the unit regardless of the sum of component marks.

Lab Assignments 1, 2 and the Major Assignment must be demonstrated on the due date during a student’s scheduled lab session. The lab session will be either in-person or online depending on the student’s enrolment. Each assessment task must be repeated if a student misses the demonstration and subsequently lodges a successful request for special consideration.

Self and peer review of team contribution: All group assessments require you to review your performance and that of your team members using SPARKPLUS. Individual marks for group assessments will be determined using these reviews

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 guide to grades.

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

You can use generative AI tools for open assessments. Restrictions on AI use apply to secure, supervised assessments used to confirm if students have met specific learning outcomes.

Refer to the assessment table above to see if AI is allowed, for assessments in this unit and check Canvas for full instructions on assessment tasks and AI use.

If you use AI, you must always acknowledge it. Misusing AI may lead to a breach of the Academic Integrity Policy.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

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 University expects students to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

Our website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. This includes advice on how to avoid common breaches of academic integrity. Ensure that you have completed the Academic Honesty Education Module (AHEM) which is mandatory for all commencing coursework students

Penalties for serious breaches can significantly impact your studies and your career after graduation. It is important that you speak with your unit coordinator if you need help with completing assessments.

Visit the Current Students website for more information on AI in assessments, including details on how to acknowledge its use.

Learning support

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 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. 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

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Introduction, programmer's view of the STM32 microcontroller. Includes 1 hour live lecture/tutorial with worked examples	Lecture (2 hr)
	Review of lectures, prework for the Week 2 lab.	Self-directed learning (4 hr)
	Mandatory lab WHS induction.	Practical (2 hr)
Week 02	Assembler instruction set, programming using the STM32CubeIDE, digital I/O. Includes 1 hour live lecture/tutorial with worked examples	Lecture (2 hr)
	Review of lectures, verify use of STM32CubeIDE at home using the hardware provided. Prework for the Week 3 lab.	Self-directed learning (4 hr)
	Assembler instruction set, STM32CubeIDE, digital I/O.	Practical (2 hr)
Week 03	Interrupts, stack addressing. Includes 1 hour live lecture/tutorial with worked examples	Lecture (2 hr)
	Review content for interrupts, stack addressing, lab prework.	Self-directed learning (4 hr)
	Interrupts, stack addressing.	Practical (3 hr)
Week 04	Serial I/O, timers. Includes 1 hour live lecture/tutorial with worked examples	Lecture (2 hr)
	Serial I/O, timers.	Self-directed learning (4 hr)
	Serial I/O, timers.	Practical (3 hr)
Week 05	Major project work. Includes 1 hour live lecture/tutorial with worked examples	Lecture (2 hr)
	Review content for C programming, analog I/O.	Self-directed learning (4 hr)
	C programming, analog I/O. Lab 1 due.	Practical (3 hr)
Week 06	Different types of memory, flash memory, bus tristate. Includes 1 hour live lecture/tutorial with worked examples	Lecture (2 hr)
	Review content for C programming, analog I/O.	Self-directed learning (4 hr)
	C programming, analog I/O.	Practical (2 hr)
Week 07	Debugging, timing diagrams. Includes 1 hour live lecture/tutorial with worked examples	Lecture (2 hr)
	Additional content for C programming, timers, serial interface, analog I/O. Practice C programming using the provided hardware at home.	Self-directed learning (4 hr)
	C programming, timers, serial interface, analog I/O.	Practical (3 hr)
Week 08	Large project design. Includes 1 hour live lecture/tutorial with worked examples	Lecture (2 hr)
	Review and prepare for the major project. Make sure to cover the relevant material and practice using the different hardware components.	Self-directed learning (4 hr)
	C programming, timers, serial interface, analog I/O. Lab 2 due.	Practical (3 hr)
Week 09	Software engineering. Includes 1 hour live lecture/tutorial with worked examples	Lecture (2 hr)
	Review and prepare for the major project. Make sure to cover the relevant material and practice using the simulator.	Self-directed learning (5 hr)
	Major project design.	Practical (2 hr)
Week 10	Invited lecture (industry). Includes an additional 1 hour live lecture/tutorial with worked examples	Lecture (2 hr)
	Review and prepare for the major project. Make sure to cover the relevant material and practice using the provided hardware.	Self-directed learning (5 hr)
	Major project design presentation. MP work starts.	Practical (3 hr)
Week 11	Interfacing to off-board peripherals. Includes 1 hour live lecture/tutorial with worked examples	Lecture (2 hr)
	Major project work.	Self-directed learning (5 hr)
	Major project work.	Practical (2 hr)
Week 12	Major project work.	Self-directed learning (6 hr)
Week 12	Major project work.	Practical (3 hr)
Week 13	Revision.	Lecture (2 hr)
	Preparation for final demonstration	Self-directed learning (4 hr)
	Major project demonstration.	Practical (3 hr)

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 on the Library eReserve link available on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

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. Function effectively as an individual even within the context of teamwork, whilst being able to clearly maintain the group objective
LO2. Understand and demonstrate various forms of communication including; listening, speaking, written electronic, graphical and mathematical, for the purposes of interpersonal communication and assessment
LO3. Understand the use of mechatronics systems in a variety of applications
LO4. Exercise critical decision making in defining solutions to the problems presented in the laboratory sessions and in the exam
LO5. Think creatively about problem solving, and the application of ‘engineering judgment’ in order to choose the most appropriate solution to a problem from many possibilities
LO6. Independently identify, locate and utilize appropriate information resources to aid the process of problem solving
LO7. Apply the knowledge gained in this course (as well as in other relevant prior courses) to solve real-world engineering problems involving hardware, software and microcontrollers.

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
Learning outcomes

Alignment with Competency standards

Outcomes	Competency standards
	Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - 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.
	Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - 3.1. An ability to communicate with the engineering team and the community at large.
	Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - 4.2. Ability to use a systems approach to complex problems, and to design and operational performance. 4.3. Proficiency in the engineering design of components, systems and/or processes in accordance with specified and agreed performance criteria. 5.3. Skills in the selection and characterisation of engineering systems, devices, components and materials.
	Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - 5.7. Proficiency in appropriate laboratory procedures; the use of test rigs, instrumentation and test equipment. 5.9. Skills in documenting results, analysing credibility of outcomes, critical reflection, developing robust conclusions, reporting outcomes.
	Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - 1.2. Tackling technically challenging problems from first principles. 2.2. Application of enabling skills and knowledge to problem solution in these technical domains. 2.4. Advanced knowledge and capability development in one or more specialist areas through engagement with: (a) specific body of knowledge and emerging developments and (b) problems and situations of significant technical complexity. 4.1. Advanced level skills in the structured solution of complex and often ill defined problems. 4.2. Ability to use a systems approach to complex problems, and to design and operational performance. 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.
	Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - 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. 3.2. Information literacy and the ability to manage information and documentation.
	Engineers Australia Curriculum Performance Indicators - 2.2. Application of enabling skills and knowledge to problem solution in these technical domains. 5.4. Skills in the selection and application of appropriate engineering resources tools and techniques, appreciation of accuracy and limitations;. 5.5. Skills in the development and application of mathematical, physical and conceptual models, understanding of applicability and shortcomings.

Responding to student feedback

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

Student feedback focused on providing more clarity on assignment and exam expectations. We will also review assignment content and the balance of live and mini lectures to facilitate student learning.

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Students should wear closed toe shoes when attending the labs.

Disclaimer

Important: the University of Sydney regularly reviews units of study and reserves the right to change the units of study available annually. To stay up to date on available study options, including unit of study details and availability, refer to the relevant handbook.

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

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

MTRX2700: Mechatronics 2

Semester 1, 2026 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Early feedback task

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Use of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Support for students

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Alignment with Competency standards

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Additional information

Additional information

Work, health and safety

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links