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
- Chemical Engineering School
The course introduces a systems approach to develop chemical engineering processes through process analysis and synthesis. The context and needs that give rise to process systems are examined along with the development of complex flowsheets. Techniques for the decomposition of large, complex systems to smaller problems are developed. While computer simulation skills are developed to facilitate the design, creation and evaluation of complex systems, costing and financial analyses are introduced to determine the feasibility of new developed processes.
CHEE3020 builds on the foundational skills developed in CHEE2001, deepening students' understanding of mass and energy balances, and process equipment. This course introduces more sophisticated analytical tools and methodologies, enabling students to tackle the analysis, interpretation, and optimisation of larger and more complex chemical processes involving multiple unit operations.
Students will gain hands-on experience applying advanced techniques across different scales—from evaluating entire process systems to fine-tuning individual units. Emphasis is placed on understanding how changes at the equipment level can influence the performance of the broader process.
A distinctive feature of CHEE3020 is its strong focus on computer-aided process simulation and flowsheeting. Students will use industry-standard software to model, analyse, and optimise chemical processes, integrating technical knowledge with considerations of economic viability, environmental sustainability, and social responsibility.
Throughout the course, students will learn how to develop practical and realistic process flowsheets, identify and evaluate process alternatives, and apply robust decision-making frameworks to support process selection and optimisation. By the end of CHEE3020, students will be equipped to confidently design and improve processes with a balanced perspective on technical, economic, and environmental performance.
Course requirements
Assumed background
Knowledge of the principles of mass and energy balancing and the ability to apply and solve across single or simple and small combinations of units. This implies CHEE2001 Process Principles or equivalent.
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
CHEE2001
Recommended prerequisites
We recommend completing the following courses before enrolling in this one:
(CHEE3002 or CHEE2040) and (CHEE3003 or CHEE2030)
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
CHEE2002
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
There are no formal in-person lectures; instead, core content is delivered through pre-recorded lecture videos that students can engage with at their own pace. Weekly tutorials are held to reinforce and apply the lecture material through guided problem-solving and discussion. Additionally, biweekly project workshops provide dedicated support for the course project, helping students apply their learning in a practical, collaborative setting.
Aims and outcomes
The aims of this course are to:
- Acquire skills to analyse and synthesise chemical engineering processes.
- Develop the capacity to think creatively about problems encountered during process development.
- Develop skills in working both independently and within a team to complete process analysis and synthesis.
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Develop appropriate process engineering diagrams and perform mass and energy balances on complex flowsheets.
LO2.
Use a systematic approach for analysing and developing chemical engineering processes.
LO3.
Use a systematic approach for synthesising and developing chemical engineering processes.
LO4.
Use Aspen Plus simulations for process development.
LO5.
Carry out costing and economic analyses to determine the feasibility of a new process.
LO6.
Work effectively in an engineering project team to develop new chemical engineering processes.
LO7.
Communicate process information at a professional standard in both written and oral formats.
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation, Project |
Project 1 Report and Presentation
|
25% Group work |
Project report 5/09/2025 5:00 pm
Project presentation will be organised in Week7 Tutorial section. |
| Practical/ Demonstration |
Aspen Plus Simulation
|
5% Individual work |
Week9 tutorial section will be used for this assessment. |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project |
Project 2 Report
|
30% Group work |
31/10/2025 5:00 pm |
| Examination |
Exam – during Exam Period (Central)
|
40% Individual work |
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 1 Report and Presentation
- Hurdle
- Team or group-based
- In-person
- Mode
- Oral, Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Presentation, Project
- Weight
- 25% Group work
- Due date
Project report 5/09/2025 5:00 pm
Project presentation will be organised in Week7 Tutorial section.
- Other conditions
- Peer assessment factor.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L05, L06, L07
Task description
This project aims to develop and apply process analysis skills, with a focus on process development, process evaluation, and unit operations. Each team selects a product to analyze, culminating in a project report submitted in Week 6 (worth 20% of the total assessment) and a presentation delivered in Week 7 (worth 5%). A Peer Assessment Factor (PAF), based on team-defined criteria, will be used to adjust individual marks according to peer evaluations.
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.
Project hurdle is applied in this course.
Hurdle requirements
To pass the course you must receive >= 50% on the Final Exam ANDﾠﾠ>= 50% ﾠfor your overall project mark. Each grade band has its own hurdles based on the final exam and your overall project mark.Submission guidelines
Online submission of project reports via Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
An extension request is not considered late until 24 hours after the assessment due date & time.
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.
Assessments must be submitted on or before the due date.
Penalties Apply for Late Submission
Refer PPL Assessment Procedure Section 3 Part C (48)
Aspen Plus Simulation
- In-person
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance, Written
- Category
- Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- 5% Individual work
- Due date
Week9 tutorial section will be used for this assessment.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L04
Task description
In this assessment, students will be given a process engineering scenario and example process data. Students are required to work individually to draw block flow diagrams, build and run Aspen simulations and present simulation results.
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Submission guidelines
Answer sheets must be submitted within the time allocated.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
An extension request is not considered late until 24 hours after the assessment due date & time.
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.
Assessments must be submitted on or before the due date.
Penalties Apply for Late Submission
Refer PPL Assessment Procedure Section 3 Part C (48)
Project 2 Report
- Hurdle
- Team or group-based
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Project
- Weight
- 30% Group work
- Due date
31/10/2025 5:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Peer assessment factor.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07
Task description
This project is designed to apply process synthesis skills, with an emphasis on process development, simulation, and optimisation. Teams will submit a project report in Week 13, which accounts for 30% of the total assessment. Individual contributions will be adjusted using a Peer Assessment Factor (PAF), determined through peer evaluation based on team-agreed 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.
Project hurdle is applied in this course.
Hurdle requirements
To pass the course you must receive >= 50% on the Final Exam ANDﾠﾠ>= 50% ﾠfor your overall project mark. Each grade band has its own hurdles based on the final exam and your overall project mark.Submission guidelines
Online submission of project reports via Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 28 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
An extension request is not considered late until 24 hours after the assessment due date & time.
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.
Assessments must be submitted on or before the due date.
Penalties Apply for Late Submission
Refer PPL Assessment Procedure Section 3 Part C (48)
Exam – during Exam Period (Central)
- Hurdle
- Identity Verified
- In-person
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Examination
- Weight
- 40% Individual work
- Due date
End of Semester Exam Period
8/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L02, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Individual final exam tests understanding of all aspects of the course material from lectures, tutorials and project work. No written materials are permitted. No electronic aids are permitted (e.g. laptops, phones).
This assessment task evaluates students' abilities, skills and knowledge without the aid of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) or Machine Translation (MT). Students are advised that the use of AI or MT technologies to develop responses is strictly prohibited and may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct.
Exam hurdle is applied in this course.
Hurdle requirements
To pass the course you must receive >= 50% on the Final Exam ANDﾠﾠ>= 50% ﾠfor your overall project mark. Each grade band has its own hurdles based on the final exam and your overall project mark.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 - no 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 | Description |
|---|---|
| 1 (Low Fail) |
Absence of evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Work is of an extremely low standard or incomplete and the student cannot be considered to have achieved the minimum standard required to pass the course. Less than 20% for the course overall. |
| 2 (Fail) |
Minimal evidence of achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Work has multiple significant shortcomings and the student cannot be considered to have achieved the minimum standard required to pass the course. 20 to 44.9% for the course overall. |
| 3 (Marginal Fail) |
Demonstrated evidence of developing achievement of course learning outcomes Course grade description: Work falls below the minimum standard required to pass the course. Falls short of satisfying requirements for a Pass (grade of 4 or higher). 45 - 49.9% for the course overall AND/OR < 50% on the final exam AND/OR < 50% overall group project mark. |
| 4 (Pass) |
Demonstrated evidence of functional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Work is completed to an acceptable standard. A student in this grade band will perform at a consistently acceptable standard in most areas with some work perhaps also being at a higher standard (but not enough for a 5). Students receiving this grade must achieve 50 - 64.9% for the course overall AND >= 50% on the final exam AND >= 50% overall group project mark. |
| 5 (Credit) |
Demonstrated evidence of proficient achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Work completed to a good standard. A student in this grade band will perform at a consistently good standard in most areas with some excellent (but not enough for a 6) or acceptable work (but still exceeding requirements for a 4). The student’s contribution is solid but rarely has a strong impact on the direction of the group/project. As for Grade 4, but your overall performance was higher. Students receiving this grade must achieve 65 - 74.9% for the course overall AND >= 60% on the final exam AND >= 60% overall group project mark. |
| 6 (Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of advanced achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Work completed to a very good standard. A student in this grade band will perform to an excellent standard in some areas and a good standard in the rest. They will make a very strong contribution to their group through the tutorial sessions and the projects whilst producing individual work of a high standard. As for Grade 5, but your overall performance was higher. Students receiving this grade must achieve 75 - 84.9% for the course overall AND >= 70% on the final exam AND >= 70% overall group project mark. |
| 7 (High Distinction) |
Demonstrated evidence of exceptional achievement of course learning outcomes. Course grade description: Consistently excellent. Shows a very high standard in completing both group work and individual work. As for Grade 6, but achieving very high level of performance in all forms of assessment. They must perform consistently well in all forms of assessment. Students receiving this grade must achieve >= 85% for the course overall AND >= 80% on the final exam AND >= 80% overall group project mark. |
Additional course grading information
To pass the course you must receive >= 50% on the Final Exam ANDﾠﾠ>= 50% ﾠfor your overall group project mark. Each grade band has its own hurdles based on the final exam and your overall project mark.
Supplementary assessment is not available if you receive a 3 on the basis of the overall project mark. The project work in this course involves group work and spans the entire semester, including peer assessments. If a student fails the group project, there will be no time or group members available to undertake a supplementary assessment for the project component.
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is not available for some items in this course.
In CHEE3020 supplementary assessment will take the form of a written exam. There is no supplementary assessment available for project work.
Additional assessment information
Academic Integrity in CHEE3020, including Artificial Intelligence
- For Aspen Plus Simulation Assessment, running simulations, presenting the results of simulations and interpreting the outcomes mustﾠ be your own work. Students should not provide classmates with copies of simulation files.
- At UQ, the assessment you submit must be your work.ﾠ The use of AI to support learning is addressed within the description of each assessment item.
- The use of AI in any assessment must be acknowledged (UQ Library referencing guide).
- Not referencing or acknowledging AI use may constitute student misconduct under the Student Code of Conduct (PPL 3.60.01)
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
Library resources are available on the UQ Library website.
Additional learning resources information
Other learning resources and information will be periodically placed on blackboard with notification made via email.ﾠ
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 |
Tutorial |
Weakly tutorials The tutorials are designed to complement lecture materials by providing hands-on experience and helping students develop practical skills in process analysis, synthesis, simulation, costing, and financial evaluation. During these sessions, students will be trained in using process simulation software. Tutorials offer students the opportunity to reinforce their learning by solving problems and addressing questions, thereby enhancing practical skills essential for projects, the Aspen assessment, and the final exam. Please note that tutorial sessions are not recorded, but worked solutions for the tutorial problems are provided. A semester plan outlining the weekly tutorial topics is available on the course Blackboard page. Students are also encouraged to ask any other questions during tutorials. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07 |
Practical |
Project work Students work in teams on projects to apply the principles of process analysis, synthesis, simulation, costing and financial evaluation. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07 |
|
Multiple weeks From Week 2 To Week 12 |
Tutorial |
Biweekly project workshops The biweekly workshops are designed to support project progress, with specific tasks to help guide the focus. Students are also encouraged to ask any additional questions they may have. Learning outcomes: L01, L02, L03, L04, L05, L06, L07 |
Additional learning activity information
Throughout the semester, students will collaborate in teams on two projects. The first project, focusing on process analysis, will be conducted during the first half of the semester, while the second project, centered on process synthesis, will take place during the second half.
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.
School guidelines
Your school has additional guidelines you'll need to follow for this course:
- Safety Induction for Practicals
Course guidelines
Safety Induction for Practicals
Anyone undertaking courses with a practical component must complete the UQ Undergraduate Student Laboratory Safety Induction and pass the associated assessment.
Specific instructions, usage guidelines and rules for each of the undergraduate laboratories will be delivered as part of each course.
In some cases, students may be required to attend a specific face-to-face laboratory induction/training session.