MECH ENG 1102 - Introduction to Aerospace Engineering

North Terrace Campus - Semester 1 - 2014

This course is made up of two modules that teach fundamental skills that Engineering students require. Introduction to your Discipline presents an overview of the activities undertaken as a professional in your discipline, providing context for your Engineering studies. Introduction to Programming teaches students the importance of computer programming in solving Engineering problems. Students will learn how to analyse computing problems, develop algorithms to describe solutions to these problems, and software implementations in the C and MATLAB programming environments.

  • General Course Information
    Course Details
    Course Code MECH ENG 1102
    Course Introduction to Aerospace Engineering
    Coordinating Unit School of Mechanical Engineering
    Term Semester 1
    Level Undergraduate
    Location/s North Terrace Campus
    Units 3
    Contact Up to 6 hours per week
    Assumed Knowledge SACE Stage 2 Maths Studies
    Course Description This course is made up of two modules that teach fundamental skills that Engineering students require. Introduction to your Discipline presents an overview of the activities undertaken as a professional in your discipline, providing context for your Engineering studies. Introduction to Programming teaches students the importance of computer programming in solving Engineering problems. Students will learn how to analyse computing problems, develop algorithms to describe solutions to these problems, and software implementations in the C and MATLAB programming environments.
    Course Staff

    Course Coordinator: Dr John Codrington

    NameRoleBuilding/RoomEmail

    Dr John Codrington

    Coordinator for the Introduction to your Discipline module Engineering South Building, S209 john.codrington@adelaide.edu.au
    Mr David Knight Coordinator for the Introduction to Programming module Ingkarni Wardli, 416 david.knight@adelaide.edu.au
    Any questions related to the specific lecture or assignment content should be addressed firstly to the lecturer in question. All course coordination or other questions should be directed to the Course Coordinator.
    Course Timetable

    The full timetable of all activities for this course can be accessed from Course Planner.

    The two modules in your course will be taught in parallel throughout the semester. Each week you will have one/two lectures for the module Introduction to Programming, and typically one lecture for the Introduction to your Discipline module. In addition, you will be required to attend a weekly collaborative session and a weekly practical session for the module Introduction to Programming, and a tutorial every even week.

  • Learning Outcomes
    Course Learning Outcomes
    On completion of the course, students should:
    1 Have a strong understanding of what an Engineer is and what skills and knowledge are required to be an Engineer.
    2 Be able to problem solve and design solutions to programming problems.
    3 Be able to efficiently translate solutions into computer programs.
    4 Understand the programming constructs of the C and MATLAB programming languages.
    5 Be able to apply their knowledge of programming and problem solving to the development of C and MATLAB programs.
    6 Have an appreciation of modern computing technology, and the place that programming has within the Engineering domain.
    7 Understand the need to undertake lifelong learning.
    8 Be able to think about framing and solving unstructured problems.
    9 Understand problem-solving principles.
    University Graduate Attributes

    This course will provide students with an opportunity to develop the Graduate Attribute(s) specified below:

    University Graduate Attribute Course Learning Outcome(s)
    Knowledge and understanding of the content and techniques of a chosen discipline at advanced levels that are internationally recognised. 1-9
    The ability to locate, analyse, evaluate and synthesise information from a wide variety of sources in a planned and timely manner. 1-9
    An ability to apply effective, creative and innovative solutions, both independently and cooperatively, to current and future problems. 1-9
    Skills of a high order in interpersonal understanding, teamwork and communication. 1,8
    A proficiency in the appropriate use of contemporary technologies. 1-6
    A commitment to continuous learning and the capacity to maintain intellectual curiosity throughout life. 7
  • Learning Resources
    Required Resources

    Copies of the Course notes, including assessment details and lecture notes will be available online and also for purchase at the University Image and Copy Centre.

    Recommended textbooks for the Introduction to Programming module are:

    • Engineering Computation with MATLAB, David M. Smith (Pearson)
    • Problem solving with C++, Walter Savitch (Developer’s Library)
    Recommended Resources

    Students are expected to attend lectures, collaborative sessions and also their supervised practical sessions. These practical sessions will be crucial to developing your understanding of the course material, and will provide access to additional assistance from practical supervisors.

    Online Learning

    Copies of lecture notes, lecture recordings and additional resources will be provided online through the MyUni system. Discussion forums will also be made available on the MyUni website. Students are expected to check the MyUni website frequently for announcements and new resources.

  • Learning & Teaching Activities
    Learning & Teaching Modes

    This course aims to introduce students to a range of fundamental skills that they will need as professional Engineers. The course will be taught through a combination of lectures, collaborative sessions and supervised practical sessions. Many programming examples will be worked on during the collaborative sessions. The supervised practical sessions will require students to individually prepare solutions to set questions which can then be worked on and assessed during the session. The purpose of these practical sessions is for students to apply the examples and theoretical concepts discussed in lectures and collaborative sessions.

    Workload

    The information below is provided as a guide to assist students in engaging appropriately with the course requirements.

    Students are expected to attend all scheduled classes. In addition to the schedule contact hours, students are expected to spend 4-6 additional hours per week in preparation of assignment work, and reviewing lecture material.

    Learning Activities Summary

    INTRODUCTION TO YOUR DISCIPLINE (20%)

    • Welcome and Introduction to the School of Mechanical Engineering
    • Engineering design
    • Communication in Engineering
    • Introduction to your discipline including history, case studies and lab tours


    INTRODUCTION TO PROGRAMMING AND PROBLEM SOLVING (80%)

    • Introduction to the programming process
    • Puzzle-based Learning
    • Software design process
    • Fundamental programming constructs in MATLAB
    • Data types, variables and assignment
    • Arithmetic expressions
    • Control Structures
    • Matrix Functions
    • Fundamental programming constructs in C
    • Arrays and Pointers
    • Input and Output
    Specific Course Requirements

    Not applicable.

  • Assessment

    The University's policy on Assessment for Coursework Programs is based on the following four principles:

    1. Assessment must encourage and reinforce learning.
    2. Assessment must enable robust and fair judgements about student performance.
    3. Assessment practices must be fair and equitable to students and give them the opportunity to demonstrate what they have learned.
    4. Assessment must maintain academic standards.

    Assessment Summary

    The assessment for this course consists of a combination of assignments, practical exercises, practical examinations and written examinations.

    The assessment for the Introduction to Programming module has 4 components:

    • Practical session exercises (10%) - 10 weeks at 1% each week.
    • Practical examinations (8%) - 2 practical exams at 4% each.
    • Assignments (6%) - a MATLAB assignment and a C assignment.
    • Final written examination (70%).

    The assessment for the Introduction to your Discipline module has 1 component:

    • Short essay (6%).
    Assessment Related Requirements

    Students are expected to attend all lectures and all practical sessions. Students will be required to obtain at least 40% in each of the four components, and 50% overall in order to pass the course. If a student does not achieve 40% in one component, their overall mark will be capped at 44% (F).

    Assessment Detail
    Practical exercises are provided as part of the learning experience. Students are expected to enhance their knowledge and understanding of the subject matter through completing the assignments, so they are regarded as formative rather than summative. The practicals are marked and the results included in the final assessment to ensure that studentsactually do the practical work and take them seriously. Feedback on this work will be provided within your practical sessions. Additional feedback can be sought from your lecturers and on the online forums.

    The practical examinations are intended to assess the student’s knowledge in practical application of the concepts taught in lectures, specifically in designing and developing programming solutions. The practical examinations are summative assessment.

    Assignments are both formative and summative and extend the work done in the practical sessions. Assignments are also used to help assess whether the required graduate attributes are being developed. Written feedback will be provided for some of the assessment work.

    The examinations are summative assessment and are intended to assess the student’s knowledge and understanding of the course material.

    The assessment for the Introduction to your Discipline module will consist of a short essay including a case study and reflective discussion of what it takes to be a professional engineer.
    Submission

    Assignments will be submitted online – please see your lecture notes for details. Practical exercises for the Programming in C & MATLAB module will be assessed during the supervised practical sessions.

    Course Grading

    Grades for your performance in this course will be awarded in accordance with the following scheme:

    M10 (Coursework Mark Scheme)
    Grade Mark Description
    FNS   Fail No Submission
    F 1-49 Fail
    P 50-64 Pass
    C 65-74 Credit
    D 75-84 Distinction
    HD 85-100 High Distinction
    CN   Continuing
    NFE   No Formal Examination
    RP   Result Pending

    Further details of the grades/results can be obtained from Examinations.

    Grade Descriptors are available which provide a general guide to the standard of work that is expected at each grade level. More information at Assessment for Coursework Programs.

    Final results for this course will be made available through Access Adelaide.

  • Student Feedback

    The University places a high priority on approaches to learning and teaching that enhance the student experience. Feedback is sought from students in a variety of ways including on-going engagement with staff, the use of online discussion boards and the use of Student Experience of Learning and Teaching (SELT) surveys as well as GOS surveys and Program reviews.

    SELTs are an important source of information to inform individual teaching practice, decisions about teaching duties, and course and program curriculum design. They enable the University to assess how effectively its learning environments and teaching practices facilitate student engagement and learning outcomes. Under the current SELT Policy (http://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies/101/) course SELTs are mandated and must be conducted at the conclusion of each term/semester/trimester for every course offering. Feedback on issues raised through course SELT surveys is made available to enrolled students through various resources (e.g. MyUni). In addition aggregated course SELT data is available.

  • Student Support
  • Policies & Guidelines
  • Fraud Awareness

    Students are reminded that in order to maintain the academic integrity of all programs and courses, the university has a zero-tolerance approach to students offering money or significant value goods or services to any staff member who is involved in their teaching or assessment. Students offering lecturers or tutors or professional staff anything more than a small token of appreciation is totally unacceptable, in any circumstances. Staff members are obliged to report all such incidents to their supervisor/manager, who will refer them for action under the university's student’s disciplinary procedures.

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