Course coordinator
Dr Michael Heitzmann
Consultation after lecture Tuesday 11am – 12pm or on request. Please email to set up a consultation time.
Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 2, 2025 (28/07/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Undergraduate
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 2
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Mech & Mine Engineering School
The course provides an introduction to composite materials, manufacturing and design with a primary focus on applications in the aerospace industry. Students will gain insight into the commonly used constituent materials, intermediates, and resulting composites and understand the many choices available in this hierarchy. The course will then introduce the students to the most common composite manufacturing processes for both thermoplastic and thermosetting matrix composites. Emphasis is put on enabling students to select the most appropriate manufacturing process for a given application and material combination.
The design component of the course covers the key concepts of structural design and evaluation of composite materials. This includes introducing students to micromechanics, classical-laminate theory, and failure theory of composite materials using both analytical as well as numerical methods. In the final two weeks of the semester, the course ventures into advanced topics, including sandwich structures, degradation and durability, and ceramic matrix composite materials and manufacturing.
The learning experience is enhanced with two hands-on manufacturing practicals and a non-destructive testing workshop.
Composite materials are one of the most important group of materials for lightweight aerospace applications and are now also rapidly gaining importance in a wide variety of other engineering applications. In contrast to more traditional engineering materials, composite materials offer a unique and large design space as constituent materials can be selected and orientated to address very specific performance requirements. This design freedom leads to an intimate connection between materials, manufacturing and design which can be challenging for engineers.
The purpose of this course is to develop your knowledge of these three important aspects of composite engineering (materials, manufacturing and design) and to teach an understanding of the connection between materials, manufacturing, and design.
The first part of the course will introduce you to material selection of composite materials and manufacturing methods relevant to aerospace applications. The second part of the course will deal with the mechanical behaviour and performance of polymer matrix fibre-reinforced composite materials and sandwich structures used in aerospace applications. The final two weeks are reserved for advanced topics where emerging topics will be covered.ﾠ
Course requirements
Assumed background
AERO4300 assumes that you are proficient in the analytical and numerical principles of solid mechanics, materials science and applied mathematics covered in the first two years of the BE (Hons) program.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
MECH2300
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
A detailed course schedule is published on the course Blackboard page.
Aims and outcomes
The aim of the course is to introduce the students to key aspects of composite materials as they are used in the aerospace industry. The course will give students the necessary background knowledge to select composite materials for a specific application, determine suitable manufacturing options and to perform structural design and evaluation tasks. ﾠ
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Select appropriate composite material systems to meet the requirements of specific applications.
LO2.
Determine suitable manufacturing methods for composite materials based on application, cost, and performance considerations.
LO3.
Apply composite mechanics and design principles to engineer composite structures.
LO4.
Specify appropriate destructive and non-destructive testing methods for quality assurance during manufacturing and through-life support.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Poster | Project Part A | 10% |
4/09/2025 2:00 pm |
| Tutorial/ Problem Set | Assignment Composite Mechanics | 15% |
16/10/2025 2:00 pm |
| Project | Project Part B | 25% |
23/10/2025 2:00 pm |
| Examination |
End of Semester Exam
|
50% |
End of Semester Exam Period 8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025 |
A hurdle is an assessment requirement that must be satisfied in order to receive a specific grade for the course. Check the assessment details for more information about hurdle requirements.
Assessment details
Project Part A
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Poster
- Weight
- 10%
- Due date
4/09/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01
Task description
This is the first part of the individual semester long project. In the project, you will employ the course learnings to independently develop a complete materials, manufacturing and design concept for an aerospace component. The first milestone ‘poster’ is due in Week 6, with the final project findings being delivered in form of a video presentation in Week 12.
A detailed introduction to the project will be provided during the studio in Week 2. This will include the marking criteria for the poster.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Feedback is provided to students following 14 calendar days.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Assignment Composite Mechanics
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Tutorial/ Problem Set
- Weight
- 15%
- Due date
16/10/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L03
Task description
Solve problems related to composite material constituents and elastic behaviour of composite materials
Please refer to Blackboard for detailed marking criteria.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Submission guidelines
Submit via TurnItIn on Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Feedback is provided to students following 14 calendar days.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
Project Part B
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Project
- Weight
- 25%
- Due date
23/10/2025 2:00 pm
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
This is the second part of the individual semester long project. In the project, you will employ the course learnings to independently develop a complete materials, manufacturing and design concept for an aerospace component.
In the final submission, you will present your project in the form of a video. A detailed introduction to the project, the deliverables and the marking criteria will be discussed in tutorial of Week 2.
Please refer to Blackboard for detailed marking criteria.
This task has been designed to be challenging, authentic and complex. Whilst students may use AI and/or MT technologies, successful completion of assessment in this course will require students to critically engage in specific contexts and tasks for which artificial intelligence will provide only limited support and guidance.
A failure to reference generative AI or MT use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
To pass this assessment, students will be required to demonstrate detailed comprehension of their written submission independent of AI and MT tools.
Submission guidelines
The video presentation is submitted via Blackboard
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 14 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Feedback is provided to students following 14 calendar days.
Late submission
A penalty of 10% of the maximum possible mark will be deducted per 24 hours from time submission is due for up to 7 days. After 7 days, you will receive a mark of 0.
End of Semester Exam
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 50%
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04
Task description
Independently solve problems related to the course content.
This assessment task is to be completed in-person. The use of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT) tools will not be permitted. Any attempted use of AI or MT may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Hurdle requirements
Identity verified assessment (IVA) will be through obtaining at least 40% of the available marks in the final exam.Exam details
| Planning time | 10 minutes |
|---|---|
| Duration | 120 minutes |
| Calculator options | (In person) Casio FX82 series only or UQ approved and labelled calculator |
| Open/closed book | Closed book examination - specified written materials permitted |
| Exam platform | Paper based |
| Invigilation | Invigilated in person |
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You may be able to defer this exam.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Grade | Cut off Percent | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) | 0.00 - 29.99 |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 2 (Fail) | 30.00 - 44.99 |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) | 45.00 - 49.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Falls short of satisfying basic requirements for a Pass. Overall grade: 45.00-49.99% or less that 40% in the IVA requirement explained below. |
| 4 (Pass) | 50.00 - 64.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Satisfies all of the basic learning requirements for the course, such as knowledge of fundamental concepts and performance of basic skills; demonstrates sufficient quality of performance to be considered satisfactory or adequate or competent or capable in the course. Overall grade 50.00-64.99% and a minimum score of 40% in the IVA requirement explained below. |
| 5 (Credit) | 65.00 - 74.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates ability to use and apply fundamental concepts and skills of the course, going beyond mere replication of content knowledge or skill to show understanding of key ideas, awareness of their relevance, some use of analytical skills, and some originality or insight. Overall grade 65.00-74.99% and a minimum score of 40% in the IVA requirement explained below. |
| 6 (Distinction) | 75.00 - 84.99 |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates awareness and understanding of deeper and subtler aspects of the course, such as ability to identify and debate critical issues or problems, ability to solve non-routine problems, ability to adapt and apply ideas to new situations, and ability to invent and evaluate new ideas. Overall grade 75.00-84.99% and a minimum score of 40% in the IVA requirement explained below. |
| 7 (High Distinction) | 85.00 - 100.00 |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Demonstrates imagination, originality or flair, based on proficiency in all the learning objectives for the course; work is interesting or surprising or exciting or challenging or erudite. Overall grade 85.00-100% and a minimum score of 40% in the IVA requirement explained below. |
Additional course grading information
Grading Criteria
Specific grading criteria will be provided for each assessment item. These are available on Blackboard in the assessment folder.
Identity verified assessment
Identity verified assessment (IVA) will be through obtaining at least 40% of the available marks in the final exam
A minimum of 40% must be achieved in the final exam to receive a passing grade.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is available for this course.
Additional assessment information
Students will not be given exemptions, or partial credit from any previous attempt of this course, for any piece of assessment. You must complete all of the learning activities and assessment items each time you take a course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
All required learning materials will be provided on Blackboard.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Multiple weeks From Week 1 To Week 13 |
Not Timetabled |
Independent Study Reinforce course content by studying lecture and reference material Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Lecture |
Studio - Lecture Learn new concepts about the application of composite materials in aeronautical and aerospace applications, their manufacturing and methods to analyse the mechanical behaviour of the materials. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Studio |
Studio Apply and extend lecture concepts and methods; study and discuss sample problems and worked solutions Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03 |
|
Multiple weeks From Week 2 To Week 12 |
Problem-based learning |
Assignments/Project Independently solve problems; study feedback and worked solutions Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04 |
Multiple weeks From Week 3 To Week 12 |
Practical |
Practicals Learn about basic principles of manufacturing fibre-reinforced composites; Study different types of aerospace materials; apply ultrasonic non-destructive testing to determine material properties and find defects. Learning outcomes: L02, L04 |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments for Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.